5 Key Components of the Fuel System in Your Volkswagen
Without a functioning fuel system, your Volkswagen would be immobile. As attractive as VW cars and SUVs are, they're built for more than simply adorning your driveway. We've written about the importance of fuel system maintenance in the past, but how exactly does the fuel system work?
At Archer Volkswagen, we want to help you be as informed as possible about your VW. With that in mind, this article offers information on five key components that make up most of the fuel system in a modern fuel-injected engine. If anything seems amiss with this system, it's crucial that you schedule a service appointment to help your VW get back into its best shape.
5. Fuel Tank
When you fill up at the gas station, the gasoline or diesel fuel travels through the filler tube and into the tank. Inside the fuel tank is a sending unit for the fuel gauge, which measures how much gas or diesel you have in the tank.
A damaged fuel tank can be a big problem. Gasoline is flammable, so a leak can cause some unpleasant effects. If you notice any damage in the gas tank, we recommend having your Volkswagen towed to an authorized service center for repair.
4. Fuel Pump
The fuel pump does exactly what it sounds like: it pumps fuel from the tank to the engine. In modern fuel-injected engines, this is generally an electric pump located inside the fuel tank itself. A fuel pump that's going bad won't pump the fuel properly, which can lead to problems like a sputtering engine, stalling, low gas mileage, and surging. This can be dangerous, and should be addressed immediately.
3. Fuel Filter
The fuel filter in your VW may be placed before the fuel pump or after it. Regardless of its placement, most vehicles are equipped with a fuel filter that should be replaced when recommended. Without a good filter, particulate may get into the engine and cause problems. Replacing a fuel filter when necessary should be part of the recommended maintenance for any VW, but we suggest speaking with an authorized service department to learn more about the fuel filter in your specific vehicle.
2. Fuel Lines
You may have noticed that the fuel tank in your Volkswagen is not located next to the engine. The fuel has to get from the tank to the engine somehow, and that's what the fuel lines do. If these develop a leak, they will need to be replaced.
1. Fuel Injectors
The injectors are what put the fuel into the combustion chambers of the engine. It's essentially a tiny valve that's controlled by a computer. This computer tells the fuel injector the exact amount of fuel that's needed. The fuel injectors spray fuel either into the intake manifold or directly into the cylinders with precise bursts that ensure only the fuel that's required is sent through the engine. It can be helpful to have fuel injectors cleaned regularly to keep their performance at its peak.