The fuel system is the life force of your car. Without fuel, you'll be driving your car like they do in the Flintstones, and that's too much leg work for my liking. This guide will help you understand the basics of your car's fuel system and how it all works together to get you moving on the road.
The Major Parts
There are only a handful of major players in your car's fuel system. These are the basic components of the fuel system that allow your car to work:
* There are two ways a fuel system can work: with a carburetor or with a fuel injection system. All new cars now use the latter.
* The fuel tank is located in the rear of the car and, quite simply, it stores gasoline. The tank contains a fuel filler pipe, an outlet line to the engine, and a vent system.
** The fuel line consists of steel lines and flexible hoses which carry the fuel from the tank to your engine.
*** '''NEVER''' use copper or aluminum to replace the steel lines. Only steel! Never use generic hoses either because they can deteriorate easily.
* Fuel injected systems use electric fuel pumps, while carburetor systems use mechanical fuel pumps. Fuel pumps, as their name implies, pump fuel to the engine.
** When you turn on the car, a current is sent to the pump which provides constant pressure. This fuels your car and allows it to run.
* Fuel filters essentially keep your fuel system running properly. The filter prevents dirt from clogging up the fuel injectors.
** If your filter clogs, the fuel pump will not be able to pump the gas to your tank.
In a Nutshell
Reading about the intricacies and nitty-gritty details about car parts is about as exciting taking an underwater basket weaving class. Therefore, let's keep all those details to a minimum and instead take a crash course in understanding how your car's fuel system works in six simple steps.
* 1) Fuel, either gasoline or diesel, is stored in the gas tank.
* 2) The fuel pump draws fuel from the tank.
* 3) It moves through the fuel lines and past the fuel filter.
* 4) It then goes to the carburetor or the fuel injectors.
* 5) The injector turns the fuel into a fine mist which makes it easier to burn.
* 6) The fuel then goes to the cylinder chamber where it is mixed with air, vaporized and burned. This derives the energy that allows your car to move.
