5 Common Fuel Delivery System Problems & How To Fix Them

Fuel delivery system problems almost always lead to engine difficulties — such as misfires or loss of power — which is why they need to be addressed as quickly as possible. So whether you’re dealing with standard fuel injection system problems or FASS fuel system problems, a methodical approach will yield the best results. We’ve outlined a few of the most common reasons for a fuel system problem, as well as some of their possible solutions. While we always suggest that you seek professional assistance from a mechanic rather than attempting to rectify it yourself, this list can help point you in the right direction as to the possible nature of the problem. 

1. Engine sputtering under hard acceleration — If you find your engine is lacking power under hard acceleration and sputtering instead of responding with a clean delivery of power, you may have a problem with your fuel injector tips. Clogged or damaged tips are a leading cause of power issues under acceleration. The good news is that they are easy to fix; often excess dirt and grime can be causing the issue. However, if cleaning them does not solve the problem, you can contact your friendly auto parts store and order a new set. However, if you’re still having the same issue after replacing your fuel injector tips, make sure that you speak with your mechanic; it may be a sign of other underlying issues.
2. Excessive blue smoke — If you notice excessive blue smoke emissions from your exhaust system, there are a number of possible causes. Some of the most commonly encountered are worn valve guides or seals, worn power assemblies, clogged or dirty oil filters, turbocharger malfunctions and damage or wear to pistons. If you’re experienced at working on your vehicle at home, you can take a look at these components after stripping the engine. This may help identify the component that’s causing the issue. However, if this is not something you’re confident you can do, you can take your vehicle to a local mechanic and ask them to find the root cause of your problems.
   In either case, the most cost-effective way to fix your fuel system problem will be to order the components you need from an auto parts store such as Car Mod Australia. We stock a full range of high-quality aftermarket engine and fuel system parts, all of which come with official warranties from the manufacturers.
3. Excessive black smoke — Large billowing clouds of black smoke from your exhaust system should be acted on immediately. As with excessive blue smoke emissions, there are a number of possible fuel delivery system problems that could cause this problem. A faulty injector pump is a common cause of black smoke emissions from diesel engines; this can be rectified quickly and easily by replacing the offending part with a new injector pump. If your pump is functioning normally and there are no signs of damage, you should check your injectors to make sure they are operating normally too.
   If neither your injector pump or injectors are responsible for the black smoke that’s issuing from your exhaust, you may have a bad air filter or EGR valve that needs to be replaced. If you’ve recently replaced either of these with cheap components, it’s worth checking them first. Other possible causes to check include a faulty turbocharger or carbon deposits in the fuel delivery system. Whatever the cause, you can find all the replacement components you need in our online auto parts store.
4. Misfiring engine — A misfiring engine is most often due to inadequate fuel/air mixture, poor compression or a problem with the injection timing. If you think the fuel/air ratio may be the cause of your problems, you’ll need to check your injectors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, turbocharger and air filter. You should also make sure that you are not using poor quality or dirty fuel. Quite often, what is initially thought to be a fuel system problem is found to be caused by the quality of the fuel being used — so checking this could save you both trouble and expense.
   In some cases, misfiring engines caused by clogged fuel or dirty air filters can be fixed by cleaning the components in question. However, replacement is often the preferred option. You can search for replacements for these components (and all other auto parts) on our website by brand.
5. Loss of power at high revs — If your engine is not delivering the power you expect at high revs, this could be due to fuel starvation caused by an incorrect fuel filter being fitted. It could also be because your fuel filter is clogged, in which case you may be able to clear the blockage and solve your problem without replacing any parts. Other possible causes of this type of fuel system problem include problems with the advance mechanism in the injection pump, poor quality fuel or a vacuum in the fuel tank, most often caused by a blocked vent line.

Whatever the root cause of your fuel system delivery problems, you can order all of the parts you need to replace from Car Mods Australia. We carry a wide range of diesel engine and fuel delivery system components from Deatschwerk and other leading aftermarket auto parts manufacturers in Australia and across the globe.

If you have a problem that’s got you stumped or you’re looking for a part you can’t find on our website, please get in touch with us by phone or online. We’ll do our best to make sure that you get the parts you need as soon as possible.