You love your European automobile, and we here at Star Motors European love it, too. If you drive a gasoline-powered European make and model, you have six primary fuel system parts, some of which need regular maintenance. Let’s talk about what these parts are and when they need to be serviced or replaced. It’s important to note that these service durations are general. Check your owner’s manual for a more specific schedule.
1. Fuel Filter
The fuel filter protects your engine from contaminants found in gasoline. Not only does the gasoline have sediment in it, but it can also have dirt and debris. If these things make their way into your engine’s combustion chamber, they can cause serious damage, which is why the fuel filter double filters the gas before it makes its way into the engine. This filter needs to be changed every two years or 30,000 miles.
2. Fuel Hoses
Your fuel hoses are what the fuel travels through. They can get clogged by dirt, debris, and sediment, and they can also dry out, crack, and start leaking. The latter generally happens if you have a lot of miles on your European automobile. These hoses are checked during a fuel system service, which is usually included in your factory-scheduled maintenance as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
3. Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors need to be cleaned every 30,000 miles; otherwise, you run the risk of engine performance issues from your European automobile. The fuel injectors are what spray the gasoline directly into the cylinders or into an intake manifold depending on your engine set up. The injectors can get clogged and they can also crack and start leaking if they are old enough.
4. Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is likely a mechanical fuel pump, which means it has a motor that powers it to draw the gasoline out of the tank. It then pumps the gas through to the fuel injectors so they can spray it into the cylinders or intake manifold. The fuel pump motor lasts about a hundred thousand miles, after which you’ll need to replace the pump. The pump can also get clogged and leak.
5. Fuel Sending Unit
It might sound as if the fuel sending unit should be the part that sends the gas to the engine, but this is actually a gauge inside your gas tank that reports the gasoline levels to your engine control unit. This is how your gas gauge works. The fuel sending unit keeps track of how much gas you have so the gauge can give you the appropriate reading and you know when to fill your tank.
6. Gas Tank
Finally, we know we’re being Captain Obvious, but your gas tank is a crucial part of your vehicle’s fuel system. Without the gas tank, where would you store fuel? Rarely do you ever need to service or replace the gas tank. The gas tank can be damaged by road debris or during an automobile accident, but most of the time you needn’t worry about this part.
Star Motors European in San Juan Capistrano, CA, is your one-stop-shop for everything European. We are European automobile service and repair experts. Call us today to schedule a fuel system service visit.
