Q: When Should I Have the Fuel System Inspected?

asked by on November 24, 2015

When should I have the fuel system inspected?

Change Oil and Filter $103.58 - $181.08 Get a Quote
Air Filter Replacement $104.43 - $174.79 Get a Quote
Cabin Air Filter Replacement $105.53 - $178.59 Get a Quote
Fuel Filter Replacement $98.50 - $325.56 Get a Quote
Spark Plugs Replacement $113.11 - $716.47 Get a Quote

There are many parts to a fuel system but only a few that actually can be inspected visually or otherwise on most vehicles. There are several things you can do to keep your fuel system running smoothly. Try to get a fuel additive to clean the fuel system once every 10 fill ups when you get gas for your vehicle. Most fuel treatments recommend putting it in the tank after a fill up because of the strength of the cleaning agents. Not all fuel system treatments are the same so do some research to find the best one for your vehicle. The next thing you can do is make sure to not let your vehicle drop below a quarter-tank at any given time. Many people do not understand that the fuel in your tank does so much more than just make the engine run. It also lubricates the fuel pump and submerging the fuel pump in fuel stops it from overheating and seizing up. Try to always keep at least a quarter-tank of fuel in your car and your chances of a fuel pump failure will be slim. Avoiding a fuel pump failure is important because fuel pumps can be costly.

If you feel the vehicle is not performing like it should and does not have the same responsiveness it used to, then it might be time to have it inspected by a qualified technician. A mechanic cannot see inside your fuel tank but can do a volume test or a fuel pressure test to see if the pump is working efficiently. Other things they can do is a cylinder balance test to make sure all cylinders are working the same amount. On average, a tune-up could help as well depending on the milage of the vehicle and your driving habits. A person who drives slow and goes under the speed limit would be more prone to issues then someone who tends to drive very fast on the highway. However, you should never drive too fast or recklessly, so you should find other ways to get the carbon build up out of the engine from time to time. There are many ways to do this, including fuel cleaners and a special injection system cleaner that will clean all the carbon out of the engine.

An average tune up on older cars consisted of inspecting or replacing the spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation valve), plug wires, distributer cap, rotor button, and cleaning the carburetor or throttle body. This tune-up was usually done every 30,000 miles, depending on the year of the car.

Today’s vehicles need less maintenance than before. Instead of every 30,000 miles, a tune-up is done at either 70,000 miles or 100,000 miles depending on the make and model you drive. Nowadays, an average tune-up only involves changing the engine oil, air filter, and cabin air filter, and maybe a fuel filter and the spark plugs. Most vehicles now don’t have a separately replaceable fuel filter as it’s now integrated into the fuel pump in the fuel tank, and is called a fuel pump module. Also, many spark plugs use an advanced design and materials, so they don’t have to be replaced until almost 100,000 miles. But the throttle body should still be cleaned every 30,000 miles to keep everything in tip-top shape. When thinking about your fuel system and what maintenance should be done, the biggest thing as a consumer you can do to save yourself a lot of money and have less chances of a break down is to keep fuel in your car and periodically add a fuel system treatment to help keep your fuel injectors clean.

If you have a vehicle with high mileage then next time you bring your car in for service ask to have your fuel pressure checked and have a qualified technician inspect the fuel lines to make sure that they are not bent or distorted and in good condition. If you have run something over and you bend or kink a fuel line this could also cause excessive pressure buildup in your fuel pump and cause it to fail. This could also cause your engine to run too lean (not enough fuel) and cause major internal engine component failure such as valve issues and melting pistons.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you work the Dome light and Map lights?
Your car is equipped with a combination light that offers three different types of functionality. It includes the Dome light, as well as the driver and passenger Map lights. Not sure how to use it? Here’s what you need to...
Car trying to start without key in ignition
Sounds like your starter solenoid may be installed incorrectly. The solenoid has several wires going to it. One to the stater, some coming from the battery, and one form the ignition switch. If the wires are connected on the wrong...
Right rear tire joint broken
The rear tire of your vehicle rides on a hub bearing. If the bearing separates, the tire can come off with a portion of the hub attached. Typically before this happens, a bearing will start making roaring or grinding noises...
Interior lights flickering
The problem most likely stems from the main power relay box having shorts or loose connections, causing the interior control module to become erratic. It could also be that the battery is not being charged, or making good connections to...
My car horn goes off randomly
There are a few things along the horn circuit that may cause this type of concern. The horn switch inside the wheel may be shorted and will trip the circuit to sound the horn. There is also a relay in...
Why turn signal lever won't return to neutral position after turn is completed?
Hi there. There is a lock ring on the turn signal lever with a return spring that makes the lever return to the rest position. The lock ring is cracked or broken. You will have to disconnect the battery, remove...
Transmission problem?
Hi There, What you are describing sounds like possibly low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a bad speed sensor or potentially a faulty transmission control module, which also controls the speed sensors. The transmission control module has various sensors such as...
Someone tried to steal my car.
I believe the part you are referring to is the ignition lock cylinder. This is the part that you stick your key into to start the vehicle. If the ignition lock cylinder has been damaged by vandals, unfortunately it will...
Can I replace the tps sensor in 2007 f150 with 5.4L 3v triton 8cy or do i have to replace the entire throttle body
Hi there. It is possible to only install the throttle position sensor on a 2007 Ford F150. The problem typically comes with programming it with a different throttle body; which is why the auto parts store recommended the throttle body...

Related articles

How Often Do Spark Plug Wires Need to Be Changed?
Spark plugs provide the electricity necessary for combustion to happen by igniting atomized fuel in an engine's cylinders. However, they need a...
How Often Should the Fuel System Be Inspected?
Without Without fuel, an internal combustion engine will not run. For this reason, parts used in the fuel system are built for durability and can stand up to years of near-constant use. Some parts, like the fuel filter, exist to...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Fuel Ratio Sensor
If you notice a decrease in fuel efficiency or engine power output, as well as a rough idle, you may have to replace any air-fuel ratio sensors.