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
Jaguar XK: Car Of The Year, Best Coupe Awardee
Another set of honors goes to the Jaguar brand. During the 2006 Auto Express New Car Honors, the ?Car of the Year' award was granted to the Jaguar sports car XK. Another award was given to the Jaguar brand as per the ?Best Coupe' award was presented to the coupe version of the Jaguar XK.
The Jaguar XK also is known by other names such as the XK8, XKR, and the XK. It is manufactured by the Ford Motor Company and is marketed under the Jaguar brand.
It has been in production since 1997 and up until the present, this remarkable vehicle continues to be produced. It took over the spot of the Jaguar XJS in the line up of Jaguar vehicles. It is a GT car and has been produced in two body styles which comprise of the FR sports car with two doors and the FR convertible also holding two doors.
Geoff Cousins is the managing director at the Jaguar Cars in the United Kingdom. On the awards that the Jaguar XK took home, he remarked, "We are delighted that...
Cars > Jaguar XK: Car Of The Year, Best Coupe Awardee
Just Imagine!
Imagine, just for a minute that the real world started operatinglike the Internet does.First, we'd have a choice of two brands of everything. Instead ofdozens or even hundreds as we do now. Want soup, it's either brandA. or brand B. Need a new car, again, A.
or B. (feel free tosubstitute IE for brand A. and N for brand B.)Sure sounds like things would be simpler, and if things went as theyshould, both A. and B. brands would be doing everything in theirpower to make their product/services better and less expensive thenthe other guy.
WOW! Can you imagine, a gas war over everything. (Forthose readers who have never experienced a gas war, it was when 1gas station dropped it's price to 40 cents per gallon which was 2cents less than the station across the street. The station acrossthe street then went to 38 cents. This went on until we were buyinggas for 20 cents per gallon)Some other very interesting side effects would also occur.1. If you received a phone call you hadn't requested,...
Just Imagine!
Cars > Just Imagine!
Volvo S80?s Interior: Recommended Highly
The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association has just chosen their very first vehicle to meet their standards. And among all vehicles out in the market, the vehicle that they chose was the Volvo S80 which is a new vehicle from Volvo Cars. After all, this new vehicle from Volvo has a Clean Zone Interior Package which is shortened as CZIP and this package actually is a new technology that gives clean in-car air as well as a pleasant driving and riding experience for all.
The project manager at Volvo Cars and also the specialist in car interior environments, Anders Lofvendahl, had something to say about the CZIP. He says, "The criteria for the Asthma and Allergy Association's product recommendation specify low levels of formaldehyde, particles, various irritants, volatile hydrocarbons, and odors." This is actually a good thing, after all, asthma and allergies have become quite common problems at present.
These are not just problems among children but are also...
Volvo S80?s Interior: Recommended Highly
Cars > Volvo S80?s Interior: Recommended Highly
Cheap Car Insurance ? 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs.
With the cost of car insurance becoming more and more of an issue for the average American family, there are increasing numbers of people looking for cheap car insurance. But although it is possible to find cheap car insurance, the question remains, is it worth buying?Everyone knows that car insurance companies are not all equal. Cheap car insurance is wonderful when paying the bill, but make a mistake on the company you select and you could find that the cheap car insurance policy that you found may turn into a nightmare. Cheap car insurance may not turn out to be so attractive when making a claim.So if you have found a discount car insurance broker don't just take the cheapest quote that you get. You need to find out a little about the insurance company that is offering the cheap car insurance rates.And there's ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance even with the best of companies.
Here are some tips for those looking for cheap car insurance to help reduce the cost of...
Cheap Car Insurance ? 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs.
Cars > Cheap Car Insurance ? 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs.
The Importance Of Using Wireless Headsets
There are many people who drive to work or drive to school everyday that use a cell phone while they drive. Like anything else that you might do while driving, these things can take away from your concentration levels and cause yourself or another vehicle to get into an accident. Lives, not just your own but others too, rely on you driving well. Distractions like headsets can cause many problems. But, wireless headsets can help to eliminate this problem.
There are many concerns for drivers as it is. Having your hands free by using a wireless headset can be one thing that you do to keep yourself and your passengers safe.Wireless headsets are available to be purchased everywhere, for every type of cell phone. They are relatively inexpensive and will not hinder you in any way from talking to people while you are driving. So, why don't more people use them then? For many people, they are simply an inconvenience. They are something new and something unexplored to them.But, not wearing...
The Importance Of Using Wireless Headsets
Cars > The Importance Of Using Wireless Headsets
Getting a Killer News Hook
Getting a news hook.When you are going to write a press release probably the most important thing you can do is create a killer news hook.
A press release without a news hook is just blatant advertising, plain and simple.
There is nothing that turns off journalists more than a press release that's just advertising, and when you turn them off, they're often off for good.So, with this in mind, creating a news hook for your press release and media plan in general is probably the most important thing that you can do.
But, how do you do it?A news hook can be defined as the property in your press release that really makes a person read it and say, "I'm glad that I read this.
This is really news."
A news hook does not directly try to sell something, but to put some real news in front of the reader and encourage them to learn more about you.If you are a major company, almost anything you do could be considered news.
Take Google, for example.
Cars > Getting a Killer News Hook
More Customers Opting For Alternative Fuel Cars
The prices of gas and fuel have already gone down but it seems like the market has already learned much during that experience. You see, according to dealers and retailers as well as manufacturers of vehicles in the auto market, more and more American customers are purchasing cars and vehicles that run on alternative fuel. The list of alternative fuel vehicles include those hybrid vehicles as well as those that could run on diesel and ethanol.
According to Fred Webber, the current president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, "Our priority is to get the word out that alternative fuel autos are on sale now, and these vehicles are the quickest way to reduce gasoline use. No one wants to see high gas prices and concerns about energy security, but the good news about today's energy situation is that more Americans are purchasing one of the many fuel efficient automobiles on sale today." The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is actually...
Cars > More Customers Opting For Alternative Fuel Cars