The Parts of the Fuel System

When you begin the task of performing your annual winter safety checks, be sure to check the fuel system. Your car is a housing unit on wheels that is operated by a symphony of systems: electrical, exhaust, brakes, and fuel systems. In order to make certain that you will have a trouble-free winter is to inspect all of the systems of your car and make any engine repairs or car repairs needed. The fuel system is one of the most important parts of the car, and if it is not in good shape, you may find yourself facing some big car repair bills.

A General Description of the Job of the Fuel System

The fuel system is the system that delivers the exact amount of fuel to the engine so that the cylinders will combust and produce power. Most newer cars use the multiport injection system, which means that gas is injected directly into the engine cylinder rather than into an intake manifold. This pressurized system allows you to save money at the gas pump and comply with the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Sensors will alert the delivery system when you need more or less gas. It will deliver more gas if you need to drive uphill or if you are towing an object, and it will decrease the amount of gas if it senses that you are about to come to a stop. 

The Components and What They Do

Some of the major parts of the fuel system are the fuel tank, fuel transfer pump, injection pump assembly and injectors, and a filter. The entire process begins when you start the car. Gas is pumped up from the gas tank through the transfer pump. The filter is in place to filter out any dirt or debris that may be in the gas. The gas is then squeezed through injectors in the injection pump assembly as a fine mist. The mist is delivered to the intake valve. When you step on the gas pedal, the throttle valve is opened. The throttle valve controls the air intake into the engine. The engine control unit, which processes the information received from sensors, helps the valves and injectors monitor the air intake, oxygen concentration, and fuel rate. The spark plugs produce a spark in the cylinder and spark the atomized gas particles that are sprayed from the injectors. The car will then start. 

Care, Problem Solving, and Winter Safety

A common problem for fuel systems is contamination. Contaminants are introduced into the system through the fuel tank when you put gas in it. The higher-level octane fuels have a lower percentage of contaminants because it has gone through additional refining processes. Dirt and debris in the fuel tank can clog the fuel supply line or the injectors. If the injectors are clogged, you will have problems with performance. It is important to have the fuel filter changed. Some gasoline makers include detergents in the gas to keep the lines and injectors clean. Keep the lines, pumps, and nozzles free from dirt and dry. When you have your winter safety check done, you should make sure that your mechanic or professional include the fuel system. 

WHAT IS COOLANT?

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a half-and-half mixture of a form of glycol and water. The glycol guarantees that the fluid does not turn into ice under harsh winter conditions, as well as prevents the coolant from reaching the boiling point in extreme heat. Coolant is a green or red fluid found in your radiator. Coolant serves the purpose of keeping the engine temperatures stable under all climate conditions. Coolant contains additional additives that prevent rust and corrosion in the radiator helping to prolong the engine’s components. Not only does coolant regulate the temperature of the vehicle, but it also lubricates the moving parts it comes in contact with.

HOW CAR COOLING SYSTEMS WORK

The cooling system on vehicles circulates fluid through pipes and passageways in the engine. As the liquid passes through the hot engine it absorbs heat, which cools the engine. When the fluid leaves the engine it passes through the radiator, which transfers the heat from the liquid into the air by blowing it through the exchanger. The water pump helps by sending the fluid to the outside of the compartment. The fluid leaving the pump flows through the engine block into the radiator and back into the pump, cooling the engine in the process. 

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF LOW COOLANT

Coolant is an important element of your vehicle. When a car runs low on coolant, problems with your engine start to occur. Often times signs of low coolant can go unnoticed. However, when levels get low enough, the car will begin to exhibit signs that should prompt you to get your vehicle looked at. One of the most common signs of low coolant is a sweet odor that may come into the vehicle. If this happens, have the floorboard beneath the carpet on the passenger side of the vehicle checked for dampness. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. You will quickly be alerted if the engine begins to run too hot.  Steam originating from under the hood is also not a good sign. This can be symptomatic of low coolant and an overheating engine. Low coolant in a car engine typically causes the heat in your vehicle to quit functioning. By having our technicians examine the heater core, we can discover if any leaks are present. Lastly, if there is a greasy type of film on the interior of the windows, this can depict problems with your coolant, not just that your windshield is dirty. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE’S COOLING SYSTEM

The cooling system is the core of the engine. It should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis to keep all the components running optimally and extend the life of the parts. In order to maintain your vehicle’s cooling system, you should have the radiator flushed. This prevents engine deposits and debris from gathering inside the radiator, which leads to overheating. You should inspect the radiator hoses for leaks, because when leaks occur the hoses becomes brittle and cracks, causing the vehicle to overheat. Similarly, check the water pump periodically for water stains on the pump housing or looseness in the shaft pulley. Water pumps can develop cracks in the seals or the bearings can go bad causing problems under the hood. Ignoring these signs of your car’s cooling system going bad can lead to damaging problems. It is important to stay on top of maintenance to reduce problems before they develop. 

What is a Car Transmission?

A car’s transmission is essential to your car’s proper function, because it allows you to switch gears and run the car. A transmission is an assembly of parts that allows power to be sent from a power source that drives the vehicle. Some transmissions use gears and a clutch to covert the speed of the vehicle. Transmissions are needed because it helps regulate the maximum RPM in which the engine can go without damaging the part and exploding. The RPM range depicts the amount and horsepower and torque needed for the vehicle to work properly. 

HOW DOES AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WORK?

An automatic transmission is the simplest form of transmission in that there is no clutch pedal or gear shifting needed to operate the vehicle. However, transmissions are one of the most important and complex pieces of your vehicle. The automatic transmission’s primary job is to allow the engine to operate in a narrow range of speeds while providing a wide range of output speeds. Once the vehicle is put into drive, it is ready to be driven and no further shifting is needed.  This is unless reverse or park is required, because manual transmissions change gears without driver input.

HOW DOES A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WORK?

Manual transmissions are more difficult to operate because of the clutch and gear operating system. Most manual vehicles use a five-speed transmission that applies one of five different gear ratios to the input shaft to produce a different RPM value. In order to know when you should shift gears, you should pay attention to the RPM on the dashboard. Once the RPM reaches a certain number that is when you will know to push down on the clutch and use the shifter to move the gear up or down. This allows the car to stay at the appropriate RPM for the speed in which you are driving.

INDICATORS OF MY CAR TRANSMISSION GOING BAD

Replacing a transmission can become extremely costly.  That is why it is important to pay close attention to the signs of your transmission going bad before it is too late.  Our technicians can help with this by taking a look underneath your vehicle to check for any leaks.  We will specifically pay attention to any red color in the transmission fluid. If the transmission fluid is cloudy, muddy or has a burnt smell to it, this means that the fluid should be changed. If you feel vibrations or jerks when you are shifting gears, this can mean that your vehicle is low on transmission fluid and should be looked at. Any type of grinding noise coming from under the floorboards is a concern and can indicate a major problem. Also, when switching gears if you notice an unexpected delay this is yet another sign of a failing transmission. A bad transmission can lead to problematic results, including breakdowns and accidents. If you are aware of these signs and what they could signify then you have a chance at catching the transmissions problems before bigger issues arise. By listening to your vehicle you are able to repair potential issues, which can be more cost effective in the long run.

Why Do You Need a Car Alternator?

Your car alternator helps to power your car and gets it’s name from the term alternating current (AC).  The alternator takes the mechanical energy, generates electricity, and sends it to your car motor recharging the battery.  The current in-turn powers the electrical components of your car like the exterior lights, interior lights, and instrument panel.  

WHERE IS THE CAR ALTERNATOR LOCATED?

The car alternator is most often found near the front of the engine and is bolted with brackets at a specific point.  One of the brackets is usually fixed and the other bracket is adjustable which allows for drive belt tightening.  The crankshaft drives the alternator and most new vehicles have one belt for both alternator and the crankshaft pulley.  

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A CAR ALTERNATOR?

Most car alternators are relatively lightweight and small.  Car alternators are lighter in weight because alternator housings are constructed of aluminum, which does not magnetize.  Not only does aluminum help keep the weight of the alternator down, it also helps to dispel the heat caused from generating the electrical current.  Keeping the heat low is essential to the alternator’s operating efficiency.  Older alternators will actually have external fan blades on the rotor shaft behind the pulley.  Newer alternator models have cooling fans inside the alternator housing.  The rotor shaft is located at one end of the alternator and at the other end are the slip rings.  The alternator also has vents on both the front side and the backside, which helps to dissipate heat.  Also on the back of the alternator are several terminals, which are connecting points in the electrical current.  These terminals do various things including sensing battery voltage, closing the circuit to the warning lamp, bypassing the regulator, turning the voltage regulator on, and connecting to the battery.  The rotor and the stator are two components of the alternator that actually produce the power.  

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY CAR ALTERNATOR IS GOING BAD?

Like many components of your car, your car alternator has moving parts, which tend to get dirty.  Your car alternator can also start to fail as a result of stress from extreme heat or cold.  Sometimes you know when the alternator is failing because the radio begins to cut out, the dash lights start to dim, the heater quits, the headlights stop shining brightly, and the engine may die.  One of the most common sources of an alternator going bad is bearing failure.  Alternator bearing failure is often characterized by a loud grinding noise.  Once you start hearing this noise, it’s only a matter of time before your alternator fails.  Most car dashboards will show an indicator light when your car alternator is having problems.  Another way to see if your car alternator is failing is to have one of our technicians use a voltmeter to check the voltage.  If the voltage falls below 12 volts, it may indicate a problem with your car alternator.  We will also check to see if things like the air conditioner, radio, and headlights are drawing electrical power.  Another component that we will check is the serpentine belt to see if it is worn or loose.  If this belt needs to be replaced, it can cause the alternator not to work properly.