Your Fuel System
The fuel system feed your engine the gasoline/diesel it needs to run. If anyone of the parts in the system break down your engine will not run. Let's look at the major parts of the fuel system, Fuel tank: Basically a holding tank for your fuel. When you fill up at a gas station the gas travels down the filler tube and into the tank. In the tank there is a sending unit, which tells the gas gauge how much gas is in the tank.
Fuel pump: On newer cars the fuel pump is usually installed in the fuel tank. Older cars have the fuel pump attached to the engine or on the frame rail between the tank and the engine. If the pump is in the tank or on the frame rail then it is electric and is run by your cars battery. Fuel pumps mounted to the engine use the motion of the engine to pump the fuel Fuel filter: Clean fuel is critical to engine life and performance. Fuel injectors have tiny openings, which clog easily so filtering the fuel is the only way to prevent this.
Filters can be before or after the fuel pump, sometimes both. Fuel injectors: Most domestic cars after 1986 and earlier foreign cars came from the factory with fuel injection. Instead of a carburetor to mix the fuel and air, a computer controls when the fuel injectors open to let fuel into the engine. This has resulted in lower emissions and better fuel economy. The fuel injector is basically a tiny electric valve, which opens and closes with an electric signal.
In the picture below you can see the injectors towards the outer part of the intake. By injecting the fuel close to the cylinder head the fuel stays atomized ( in tiny particles ) so it will burn better when ignited by the spark plug. Carburetors: A carburetor takes the fuel and mixes it with air without computer intervention. While simple in operation, they tend to need frequent tuning and rebuilding. This is why most newer cars have done away with carburetors in favor of fuel injection.
Common Problems: I would say the most common problem is a clogged fuel filter. Make sure you follow your manufacturers recommendations as to when you should change the fuel filter. This information should be in your owner's manual. Symptoms include sputtering at high speeds or engine not starting at all. Always check the ignition system first, if that's ok then the next suspect is the fuel filter.
Next most common problem is the fuel pump failing. Most modern electric fuel pumps can be heard when you turn the key on. If you don't hear the pump running and your car will not start, it could be your fuel pump. The first thing a mechanic will check is the relay, which sends power to the pump. If this is operating correctly then the pump will have to be replaced.
Last but not least are dirty injectors. While the fuel filter does a good job of filtering the fuel, it's not perfect. Over time deposits and tiny particles lodge themselves in the injectors. This can clog and injector and prevent it from delivering the fuel the engine needs. It can also cause an injector to stick open and send too much fuel into the engine.
A regular addition of fuel system cleaner like STP Injector Cleaner, or Techtron fuel system cleaner can help keep your injectors clean. Most gas stations, department stores and all automotive parts stores will have a good cleaner available. Add it to your empty tank right before you fill up and it will clean as you drive. I recommend doing this every 3 months to keep your injectors performing like new. Mechanics also offer a cleaning service where they actually disconnect the fuel line and flush cleaner through the engine.
This is only necessary when you let your injectors get to a point where they can not be cleaned by a store-bought product. Regular use of a good in-tank cleaner will keep you from having to pay for this service. Where do you buy your gas? Believe it, or not, it can make a difference. Always buy from a well know national brand service station. Gas stations, which are not affiliated with one brand of gas, tend to get whatever is left at the end of the day from the delivery truck.
One day them might get Texaco, and Exxon another. Also water mixed with gas will cause problems with your engine. The engine will not run right, plus the water will promote rust in the fuel system. I have experienced this when I purchased gas at some no-name gas stations. Your car will feel sluggish and sometimes refuse to run if there is enough water in the gas.
Octane rating tip!!!! Putting super in the tank will not get you any more performance or gas mileage unless specifically recommended by your cars manufacturer. If your owners manual says put in 87 octane...... DO IT. You are throwing money out the window if you are filling up on Super or Premium and you only need Regular..
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles.To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has created http://www.mycarwizard.com.kevin@schappell.com
When Your Car?s Parts Are Hard To Find
One of the major problems that classic car owners have is that they have a hard time locating the right kind of auto parts or replacement parts for their vehicle. This is mainly because most auto parts stores at present offer only auto parts for the most popular vehicle makes and models as well as the auto parts for the newest cars in the market. They do not take into consideration that there are still old cars still alive and working that also need some auto parts replacements.
So how do you find that elusive auto part for your car?
Join Auto Clubs
You can try joining auto clubs and ask around with other members who own the same vehicle as you. That way, you can ask them where they get their replacement parts.
You can search for such auto clubs using car magazines or you can search through the Internet for them.
Be An Online Hunter
Take full advantage of what the Internet has to offer. You can exhaust all search...
Used cars > When Your Car?s Parts Are Hard To Find
Young Driver Car Insurance
It has become increasingly difficult to get young driver car insurance in the UK. The reason behind this is because the statistics for young drivers having a car accident are not very good. By definition, young drivers have very little experience of driving and thus have a greater chance of having a bump in their vehicle. Car insurance companies are obviously in business to make money and are understandably reluctant to insure such drivers. In most cases, companies will either offer a policy at a very high premium or refuse to insure the person altogether.However, there are ways to lower your premium.
First of all you should purchase a car that has a low insurance group number. Insurance group numbers range from 1 - 20. Generally speaking the higher the number the higher your premium is likely to be. This is because cars with high insurance group numbers usually have bigger engines, are more expensive and go faster. A low insurance group vehicle will lower the premium for a young...
Young Driver Car Insurance
Used cars > Young Driver Car Insurance
Chrysler 300: Bagging the Awards In
Sharing its platform with the Dodge Magnum wagon and the Dodge Charger sedan, the 2006 Chrysler 300 is a sedan that is leaning towards the luxury level. It is offered in four trim levels which comprise of the base, the Touring, the 300C and the 300C SRT8. The base and the Touring trim levels hold V6 engines. The other two hold V8s. The 5.7 V8 engine which is owned by the 300C has the Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System.
This system functions to deactivate four cylinders under cruise conditions so as to save on fuel.
What is standard for the 2006 Chrysler 300 sedan is luxury. It comes with a totally luxurious passenger room that is more than spacious. The interior holds well-appointed and designed features like satin silver accents along with an elegant analog clock. It exudes refinement and sophistication.
The accents are made of genuine California walnut or the available industry-first tortoise shell-style accents. These accents are found on the...
Chrysler 300: Bagging the Awards In
Used cars > Chrysler 300: Bagging the Awards In
Tired Of Being Broke?...Learn How To Force Banks To Give You Money!
Imagine...obtaining credit that's incredibly easy...opening doors of opportunity you never even considered being possible. Credit which will allow you to take the dream vacation of a lifetime, drive luxury cars, dress in the latest fashions, achieve the American dream of owning your own home, or even start your very own business. With these time-tested proven step by step strategies, all of this can now be possible! Credit can be your #1 asset or your worst enemy. The trouble is, it can be a very stressful experience when an unsuspecting person find out there's something wrong with their credit. One minute you feel you can buy up the world, and the next minute, you're told your credit is denied! All of a sudden, your credit is not as welcome as someone who still has their good credit.
It's a situation that affects so many, especially when applying for new credit. Without good credit, people soon discover it's difficult to live without the necessary items that are needed. Unless...
Tired Of Being Broke?...Learn How To Force Banks To Give You Money!
Used cars > Tired Of Being Broke?...Learn How To Force Banks To Give You Money!
Michelin Tires - Ramblings From a Fan
It was in 2002 that Edouard Michelin articulated the mission of the North American tire manufacturing company with impressive eloquence, while truly encapsulating the driving force behind the company for so many years.
Mr. Michelin stated, "We have one profession and one mission: contribute to long-term progress in the field of mobility."
The statement itself could at first glance appear slightly overly dramatic, until one considers, not only the importance of the field that Michelin Tires works within, but also the work and the advances the company has made.
Michelin Tires does research and development, production and sales in the different areas of: motorcycles, trucks, heavy-duty construction equipment, agricultural machines, aircrafts and, of course, cars.
This is quite a list for a company that has more public awareness dedicated to a plump albino than for putting years of innovation to ensure that airplanes can land safely...
Used cars > Michelin Tires - Ramblings From a Fan
Nissan Produces Its 100 Millionth Vehicle
The year 2006 is a time for celebration for Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Why, you may ask? Let us just say that just recently, this auto maker has just reached a new milestone in its existence.
Nissan has now produced its 100 millionth vehicle last June. Just imagine the whole range of vehicles that this car maker has been able to create and bring out to the streets and roads. So far, the company has been able to manufacture some 76,640,000 units of Nissan cars and vehicles in its home country which is Japan.
The rest of the lot has been created in its various manufacturing plants scattered all around the globe.
The production of Nissan does not only stop at creating cars and vehicles. The company is also responsible for manufacturing the best Nissan auto parts made just for the use of their vehicles. This Japanese auto maker has also made sure that production of vehicles does not...
Used cars > Nissan Produces Its 100 Millionth Vehicle
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