We here at Crossroads Automotive want to make it so that you never have to ask yourself the titled question. We would be happy to maintain your vehicle, and this includes changing the fuel filter every 30,000 miles. For those with low-mileage automobiles, we can change the fuel filter every two years to make sure it never gets clogged with the dirt and sediment it removes from the fuel.
Inability to Start the Engine
If you do have a clog in your fuel filter, it will become very difficult to start your engine. If the filter is completely clogged, you will not be able to start your engine. The fuel is pumped out of the fuel tank by the fuel pump and pushed through the fuel filter to remove the dirt and sediment. If the fuel gets stopped by the clogged fuel filter, it will not be transported to the fuel injectors.
A Misfiring Engine With a Rough Idle
Consequently, you will have a hard time starting your automobile and if you do get it started, the engine is not going to perform well. The engine not only needs the fuel in the cylinders to start, but it also needs a continual supply of fuel in the cylinders to run smoothly. If the fuel filter inhibits the transport of the fuel into the cylinders, your engine will misfire and idle roughly.
An Engine That Stalls Frequently
In fact, the engine’s idle may be so rough that the engine stalls frequently. This can make driving your automobile unpredictable. You can also become a traffic hazard if your engine stalls and you cannot get it started again. It is simply not worth these problems to avoid replacing the fuel filter when it needs it. Keeping a clean fuel filter in your automobile keeps the engine running efficiently.
A Problem With the Fuel Pump
In addition, problems with the fuel filter can create problems with the fuel pump. You should not have to replace your fuel pump until you have driven 100,000 miles or more. This being said, the clogged fuel filter can make the pump overwork its electric motor to push the fuel into the engine. The clogged filter resists the fuel’s flow. This resistance can burn out the pump’s motor.
Finally, Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, advises that your fuel pump will whine in the fuel tank if the motor is having problems. Drive straight to our shop if you suspect that you have a clogged fuel filter.