Any car owner knows how important it is to understand the different systems of a vehicle and how they might affect the way it runs. Your car has all kinds of components and collections of parts that are designed to handle specific jobs.

Some are more essential than others, and if they break down, your vehicle won’t even start, let alone run efficiently. The fuel system is one of these crucial areas of your car, and you need to know how to avoid failures and make sure that your vehicle gets the fuel it needs.

The fuel system is responsible for delivering gasoline from the tank to the engine and ensuring that there is enough for the combustion that needs to happen inside the cylinders. When this fuel system fails, you can experience all kinds of issues ranging from unreliable starting to unexpected losses of power while driving.

By knowing how you can avoid expensive failures and how an extended warranty can help you keep your fuel system in great shape, you can make the right choices for your vehicle and save a lot of money in the long run.

Understanding the Critical Components of Your Fuel System

Your car’s fuel system has a wide range of components that help facilitate the movement of fuel throughout the vehicle. If any one of these parts fails, you could potentially find yourself stranded on the side of the road. It can be helpful to understand what these components do and how they contribute to the health of the system as a whole.

Fuel Pump

The fuel pump sits either in the gas tank or just outside of it on the fuel line, and it pushes the gasoline through the lines and into the engine. A failed fuel pump is a relatively common issue with vehicles and can cause problems with starting and running. Maintaining a consistent fuel pressure is crucial for your car’s air and fuel mixture, which needs to be just right for the engine to run properly. A fuel pump that isn’t producing enough pressure can cause the engine to run lean, which will eventually lead to overheating, stalling, and increased emissions.

Fuel Lines

Fuel lines run throughout the car, and they carry the fuel from the tank into the engine, connecting all the different components of the fuel system. Fuel lines need to be in top condition at all times since they are constantly under pressure from the fuel pump. A small leak or deterioration of any kind can quickly get worse and cause a large leak, which is a serious safety hazard and a waste of fuel. If you notice puddles under your car, check their smell. If they smell like gasoline, it is a good idea to have your fuel lines looked at before the leaks get any worse.

Fuel Injectors

Fuel injectors gradually started replacing carburetors in the 1970s and ‘80s as a way to adjust the fuel and air mixture in the engine. Injectors are timed perfectly to the rotations of the engine using the engine control unit to ensure the proper amount of fuel gets into the engine at just the right time. Clogged or failing injectors will cause misfires, poor fuel efficiency, and rough idling, as well as the potential for a complete loss of power.

All of these components work together as the vehicle’s fuel system to ensure that the engine gets the right amount of fuel when it needs it. If any one of these components fails, the delicate timing of the system will be thrown off, and you will notice a change in the performance of your vehicle right away. If you want to be sure that you don’t have any issues with your car’s fuel system, it is important to maintain all these different components and get vehicle repairs done as soon as an issue arises to avoid problems with the other parts of the system.

3 Common Causes of Fuel System Failures

If your fuel system fails, the source can usually be found fairly easily. There are a few common sources of fuel system failure, and they are often the culprit. These include:

1. Fuel Pump Failure – If the fuel pump in your vehicle fails, there will not be enough gas delivered to the engine for it to properly run. The engine will run lean, which can cause hesitation with the accelerator pedal, misfires, or overheating.
2. Clogged Injectors – Over time, fuel injectors can become dirty or completely clogged due to impurities in the fuel or debris getting into the engine compartment. When this happens, you may notice engine problems like rough idling or misfires.
3. Fuel Line Leaks – A leak in your fuel lines can be dangerous as well as costly. Cracks or holes in fuel lines are a significant fire hazard in addition to being potentially problematic for the performance of the engine.

All of the above issues can be caused by several different factors. Contaminated, low-quality fuel, for example, can deteriorate fuel lines and cause corrosion in the pump and the injectors. A lack of overall maintenance of the engine can cause excessive heat, which will damage the connections between the different components or cause them to fail.

There are a number of different signs of a failing fuel system. Misfires are incredibly common when the fuel system is malfunctioning. Misfires occur when one or more of the cylinders isn’t getting enough fuel and is not running as it should be. Poor acceleration or a loss of power are also very common. These symptoms generally occur when the system isn’t delivering enough fuel to the engine due to a failing fuel pump or a large leak in the lines.

The High Cost of Repairing Fuel System Failures

When your fuel system fails, it is important to get it repaired as soon as you can. Since all the different components of the system are so interconnected, a failure in one area can have a domino effect that spreads to the other components. The fuel system can, unfortunately, be fairly expensive to repair but it is helpful to know what you can expect to spend when a component fails.

• Fuel Line – It can be difficult to know what it will cost to replace a fuel line in your vehicle since every car is different and the extent of the damage will determine how much of the line needs to be replaced. For the most part, you can expect to spend anywhere between $150 and $500 to repair a fuel line leak.
• Fuel Pump – A fuel pump replacement can be incredibly expensive since the part is complex and can be difficult to access. The cost of a new fuel pump plus labor usually falls between $1,148 and $1,321.
• Fuel Injector – Fuel injectors need to be set in the cylinder head just right in order for them to work, which means that the labor requires a lot of precision and skill. Because of this, replacing a fuel injector usually costs between $662 and $810.

Because fuel system components are complicated and need to be set just right, the costs of repairing or replacing the different parts can quickly add up. This is especially true if a smaller problem has been allowed to get worse and has affected the other components of the system. If, for example, a weak fuel pump has not been replaced right away, you may find that your engine has been running hot for a long time. This can have far-reaching consequences ranging from broken or deteriorated hoses all the way to warped cylinders, which will require a complete engine replacement. Fixing the fuel system as soon as you notice a problem will ensure that you don’t end up being faced with costly breakdowns and auto repairs further down the line.

How an Extended Car Warranty Can Protect You

If you want to be sure that you can get fuel system repairs before the problems turn into serious engine issues, an extended warranty is your best option. Extended warranties, which are more accurately called vehicle service contracts (VSCs), can help you pay for car repairs right away so you don’t have to wait to get the service you need. This helps keep smaller issues from turning into bigger ones and can give you peace of mind that you will always be able to get the help you need as soon as you need it.

With a vehicle service contract from Endurance in place, you don’t have to pay out of pocket for expensive repairs to your fuel system. Instead, all you have to do is take your vehicle to the certified repair shop or dealership of your choice, present your Endurance contract, pay your deductible (if you have one), and the shop’s service manager will take care of the rest. As long as your repair is covered in your plan, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t be faced with a massive repair bill once the work is done.

Endurance Warranty plans cover a wide range of mechanical breakdowns, including the essential fuel system components that most commonly fail. Things like the fuel pump and fuel injector can be included in your Endurance plan, so you don’t ever have to worry about how you are going to pay for a replacement when you need one.

Endurance offers comprehensive warranty coverage for your vehicle’s systems, including the fuel system, and plans are customizable to ensure that your specific car’s needs are met. Whether you are dealing with a failing fuel pump or a larger mechanical problem, you can have confidence that the repair will be made, and you can get back on the road.

FAQs: Fuel System Failures and Extended Warranties

What are the early signs of a failing fuel system?

The earliest sign of a failing fuel system will almost always be difficulty starting. If, for example, the pump is starting to fail, it will have trouble getting fuel up to the engine when it is cold. If it seems to be taking longer and longer for your vehicle to turn over, you may want to have your fuel system looked at.

Does an extended warranty cover fuel system cleaning or regular maintenance?

Most of the time, an extended warranty will not cover fuel system cleaning or routine maintenance. The good news, though, is that aftermarket plans such as Endurance’s Advantage plan will cover things like oil changes, which can help keep your engine running smoothly and keep your fuel system clean. This will help you avoid issues with the components down the line.

Can a clogged fuel injector cause engine damage if left unrepaired?

A clogged fuel injector can cause fuel starvation, which, if left untreated, can cause serious problems. A lack of fuel in the engine can cause overheating and increased emissions, both of which can damage the engine block and the exhaust systems.

How often should fuel system components be inspected or replaced?

It is a good idea to have your fuel system inspected yearly to ensure that it is running smoothly. Most fuel system components should last around 100,000 miles but there are several factors, such as your driving habits, which can affect this interval.

Are fuel system repairs covered under basic car warranties?

Many of the most basic extended warranties will not cover the fuel system. Endurance, though, offers many different tiers of coverage, which means you do not have to pay for a plan you don’t need just to get coverage for your fuel system. Endurance’s most popular plan, the Supreme plan, covers the fuel system and remains an affordable, accessible option.

Protect Your Vehicle from Fuel System Failures with Endurance

If you need top-notch coverage for your fuel system as well as the other components of your vehicle, Endurance has a plan for you. With a wide variety of coverage options ranging from the most basic powertrain plan all the way up to protection for high-end luxury vehicles, there is something for everyone. Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other warranty providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, vehicles used for rideshare or delivery, and cars with a rebuilt or salvage title.

On top of comprehensive coverage, every Endurance plan also comes with a large collection of standard benefits to help keep you safe on the road. These include things like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing coverage, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption protection. Endurance customers can also get access to Elite Benefits, which include extra perks like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage.*

Don’t wait until your manufacturer’s warranty expires. If you would like the best protection for all of your car’s systems, contact an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 for a FREE quote. You can also check out our online store for an instant price preview.

Don’t forget to take a look at the Endurance Warranty blog for more automotive resources like DIY tips and tricks, FAQs, provider comparisons, and much, much more.