NAPA AUTOPRO

Fuel system

The fuel system feeds your engine

Your vehicle’s fuel system typically consists of a fuel pump, located in the gas tank, a fuel filter and injectors. Located between the gas tank and the engine, the fuel filter removes dirt and contaminants before any gas gets to the engine.

Signs of a faulty fuel system

  • Car won’t start or has difficulty starting
  • Whining noise from the gas tank
  • Car stalls during hot weather
  • Loss of power
  • Engine sputters and stalls
  • Engine surges
  • Poor gas mileage

Your vehicle’s central computer manages the fuel system and is generally maintenance-free. But if the system is not regularly maintained, gas consumption will increase and the system could fail. If fuel pump filters get clogged, the pump may experience a pressure decrease and the injectors may need some cleaning to restore their full capacity.

Failure to maintain the fuel system according to the manufacturer’s recommendations could cause the check-engine light to come on and damage other parts controlled by the vehicle’s central computer.

NAPA AUTOPRO tip

During vehicle maintenance, your certified NAPA AUTOPRO technician will determine if the fuel filter needs to be replaced, if the fuel pressure is within specifications or if the injectors need cleaning based on the recommended maintenance schedule.

The technician will remove any deposits to restore the engine’s power and performance and improve your fuel economy.

Keep your fuel system clean by using only good quality gasoline and avoid running your car with your tank almost empty. Ask your NAPA AUTOPRO technician to add a fuel system cleaner to your tank in order to prolong the life of your fuel pump.

The intake system and injectors deliver the fuel to the engine. Injectors spray a quantity of atomized fuel under high pressure to create combustion in the cylinders. The injector nozzle is as small as the head of a pin and may clog if dirt gets in.
Depending on your vehicle, there are two types of injection systems:

  • Port injection: injects fuel into the intake ports before the combustion chamber
  • Gasoline direct injection: injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber for better fuel economy

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