If you use your vehicle everyday, you'll want to make sure it's operating at peak performance. Fuel is the lifeblood of your vehicle so, it's important to maintain your fuel system and be aware of potential signs that things aren't quite right. In addition to regular petrol servicing, you can prevent an unexpected fuel system failure with the following steps.

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Today, we'll run through five tell-tale signs your car needs a fuel system service. As a bonus, we'll also include an overview of what the procedure entails. Once your car has had a fuel system service, you'll be surprised how much better your vehicle runs.

5 Signs you need a fuel system service

Slow acceleration can be a sign of a failing fuel system

While regular services are recommended, we understand it's easy to let these things slip by. Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for that may indicate that your car needs a fuel system service:

Any of the above signs, especially if you've noticed a change, is worth getting checked out by a trusted local mechanic even if it doesn't turn out to be your fuel system. Having your car serviced sooner rather than later not only gets your vehicle running better, but it can help prevent the problem from getting worse which will likely cost more to fix.

Benefits of a fuel system service

Better engine performance is a benefit of a fuel system service

Not everyone will notice a difference to the performance of their car after a fuel system service, however that doesn't mean the procedure wasn't beneficial. With cars, like a lot of things, prevention is the best cure, and a service can help catch any potential issues before they become major (and expensive) problems.

What's included in a fuel system service?

A good mechanic will have no trouble replacing your fuel system

As your engine burns fuel, eventually bits of residue and debris will begin to build up, causing performance issues. To solve existing performance issues and to avoid engine damage in the future, deposits will need to be removed through chemical cleaning. Deposits can occur in your fuel tank, in your fuel lines, in the fuel pump or filter and/or on your fuel injectors. The main problems which these deposits can cause are:

A chemical cleaning can help improve the function and extend the life of your fuel system and help to prevent serious damage to your engine.

During a service, your mechanic will inspect various components, such as your fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel injectors. If any of these components are worn or damaged, they’ll need to be replaced to help your car perform at its best. 

The steps of a fuel system service

A fuel system service is a process that requires care from the technician, to make sure that delicate components are thoroughly cleaned while remaining undamaged. The basic outline of the process is: 

  1. Clean the injectors
  2. Eliminate any fuel varnish from the throttle body
  3. Ensure any varnish from the valves is removed
  4. Replace fuel filter if necessary (some modern cars don't have removable fuel filters)
  5. Add fuel additive.

How often do you replace a fuel system?

Fuel systems should be replaced every 30-40,000 kms

Ideally, your fuel system should be replaced every 30,000-40,000 kms depending on your vehicle and the type of driving you're doing. It's also worth looking at the user manual for your vehicle, though not all car manuals will include this information. Regular car services can help your fuel system last longer and gives your mechanic an opportunity to inspect for any issues. With their expertise, they may be able to spot potential issues before you even notice serious symptoms.

How much does replacement typically cost?

Like most repairs, prices will vary depending on the severity of the problems and the extent of the repairs. The easiest way to get an exact figure is to chat to your trusted mechanic.

With car maintenance, it's important to consider both the short term and long-term costs. Periodically servicing your fuel system can prevent damage to your engine and increase fuel efficiency, meaning it could potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in the long run.

Book a fuel replacement for your vehicle

Bliss Mechanics Crew
Book a fuel system service with Bliss Mechanics

The best way to avoid problems with your fuel system is to book regular services with your mechanic. Services are a vital step to maintaining your car, and to spotting potential issues. If your car is due for a fuel system service or a general check-up, Bliss Mechanics is here to help! 

Whether you're looking for a service, minor repairs, or something major, Bliss Mechanics are your local, go-to experts. We're passionate about getting your vehicle to its best and our friendly team are happy to help, so why not book a service or call us today at 5325 1120.

Filling your car with fuel is usually a pretty painless process (well, except for on your wallet), but what happens if you put the wrong fuel in your car? It's an easy mistake to make, especially if you're borrowing or have just purchased a new car. While it may seem like a minor thing, putting the wrong fuel in your tank is one of the most damaging things you can do to the inner workings of your vehicle.

Table of Contents:

Let's run down why, what the difference between petrol and diesel is, how to know what your car takes, and what to do if you make a mistake.

What are petrol and diesel?

Petrol and diesel are two types of fuels that are available for different types of vehicles. The type of fuel your vehicle accepts will influence a variety of factors such as how often you need to get your vehicle serviced.

How are these fuels different?

Petrol engines and diesel engines operate in different ways. In diesel engines, the air is compressed before the fuel is added, whereas in petrol engines the fuel is mixed with air inside a piston chamber, compressed by a piston and ignited by a spark plug. It's because the two engines operate in different ways that it's vital to use the right fuel for your engine.

It's also why you can cause a lot of damage to the insides of your car if you put in the wrong fuel. Running petrol through a diesel engine will reduce the lubrication properties, causing metal particles to enter the rest of the fuel system and cause significant damage.

Your mechanic will also diagnose your car differently depending on if you need a diesel fuel servicing or a petrol car servicing.

Which fuel to choose for your car

Most cars are clear on which fuel they take. This information should be included in the instruction manual and is often written on the inside of the fuel tank door. It's good idea to develop the habit of asking what fuel a car takes whenever you borrow or rent a car. If don't know, call the rental company or the person you borrowed the car from to make sure.

What are the symptoms of a car with the wrong fuel?

What if you aren't the one who last filled up the car? Maybe you've lent your car to someone else or a family member may be having issues with their car. Here are some symptoms to that may indicate the car has been filled with the wrong fuel:

To help narrow down the possibilities, try to pinpoint when the issues with the car. If you suspect petrol has been put into your diesel car, don't drive your car anymore.

What are your options if the wrong fuel is in your car?

If you haven't started your car yet, DON'T. Do not even put your keys in the ignition. Instead, call roadside assistance or a trustworthy local mechanic. If you know you've put in the wrong fuel, we cannot stress enough how important it is not to turn on your car. Turning on the ignition could cause permanent damage to your car and will be expensive to fix. Don't even drive your car away from the pump. Instead, put your car in neutral and find someone to help you push your car away. The one silver lining is if you've just filled your car with the wrong fuel, there will likely be someone at the service station who can help you move your car.

If you have begun driving, pull over as soon as you safely can and turn off your car's engine. Call a tow-truck and organise to have your car taken to a mechanic.

Any damage caused by using the wrong fuel won't be covered under your warranty or insurance so the expenses are going to come out of your pocket.

More answers to your vehicle fuel questions

What if it was just a little bit of the wrong fuel?

Unfortunately, diesel engines, especially newer models, are very finely engineered and even a little bit of petrol can cause engine damage. If you've put any amount of wrong fuel in you car, you'll need to have your car fixed by a professional.

Can I try to remove the fuel myself?

No. Trying to siphon out the fuel yourself can be very harmful to your health. To add salt to the wound, it's incredibly unlikely to work. Odds are there will still be traces of the wrong fuel in your car and this is still enough to damage your engine. This is a professional job to leave a qualified mechanic.

How Can I Avoid this mistake?

We often fill our car on the way to somewhere else. It's easy be thinking of work, dropping the kids off at school, the shopping you need to later, and while you're pre-occupied you accidently pick up the wrong nozzle. While filling our car may seem as second nature as putting on a seatbelt, taking a few seconds to make sure we're about to put in the right fuel could save us a whole lot of hassle in the future.

At Bliss Mechanics we pride ourselves on delivering expert service with a friendly smile. We're your one stop location for automotive services, covering everything from logbook and warranty servicing, to performance or suspension upgrades, and major and minor repairs. If you're looking for any repairs or servicing click here for a quote or give us a call on 5325 1120.

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