5 Symptoms of a Clogged or Faulty Fuel Filter

A great vehicle that starts and runs as smoothly as possible is admired by everybody. But what if your vehicle isn't working correctly one day, with the check engine light on or the engine misfiring? Most likely, you have a blocked or faulty fuel filter.

How can you know whether your fuel filter is blocked or faulty? The most common signs that you need a new fuel filter are difficulty starting, a check engine light, or reduced performance. It's possible that your engine can stall or misfire as you accelerate.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, check MOT status and book your car in with a car repair garage to investigate what the issue is and repair it to avoid an MOT failure.

Isn't it true that you wouldn't drink stream water that hasn't been filtered? Why is this the case, though? Because it's commonly infected with pathogenic microbes! The same can be said of the fuel we put in our cars, which, thankfully, flows through a filter before reaching the engine.

Symptoms That Your Fuel Filter Must Be Replaced

The following are signs that your fuel filter needs to be replaced in your vehicle:

1.      Starting Issues - Here's what you should do if you can't get your vehicle to start. A number of factors might cause an engine to fail to start, including broken spark plugs, a dead battery, or an alternator failure. It might also mean that there isn't enough fuel in the combustion chambers. Before scheduling your next MOT testing service, get this problem assessed and rectified by a car mechanic.A low PSI pressure test will reveal if your fuel system has a problem, such as a malfunctioning fuel pump, blocked injectors, or a clogged fuel filter. Though an engine that won't start isn't the first indicator of a blocked fuel filter, it is the most common symptom. Make sure it's related to any of the symptoms listed below. If that's the case, consider yourself fortunate because the other causes of your engine's failure are significantly more expensive to fix.

2.      The Check Engine Light Is Coming On - If you're like most vehicle owners, the "check engine" light is something you dislike. Sure, it means a repair bill is on the way, but it also guarantees that things don't become worse to the point where there's significant damage. The check engine light might come on for a variety of reasons. Many modern vehicles, thankfully, have built-in pressure sensors that will emit a particular code if there is a problem with the fuel system. If you check MOT history online and discover that your car failed the MOT because of the engine management light, the fuel filter might be to blame.

3.      Engine Stalling - A shortage of fuel, power, or air is the most common cause of engine stalling. With this in consideration, it really should come as a shock that your engine may stall if there isn't enough fuel flowing through it. If you complete an MOT history check and realise that the MOT tester failed the MOT as unable to carry out the checks, the fuel system could have been at fault.  Because there is likely still fuel in the fuel lines, your engine may start right away. When you speed or confront a steep uphill, the problem arises since more is required as you push the pedal. When towing a load, the engine needs to work harder to carry the weight, which requires more fuel. Many reasons can cause an engine to stall, so keep an eye out for any of the other symptoms listed below.

4.      Misfires in the Engine - Simply explained, a misfire occurs when an error occurs in one of the combustion chambers, causing the engine to skip a step. Damaged spark plugs, a broken ignition coil, or a malfunctioning camshaft sensor are just a few of the factors that might force an engine to misfire. However, before reaching the fuel injector, the fuel must pass through the fuel filter. It can also cause the engine to misfire if it is delayed for any reason. This is particularly true when you put extra pressure on your car, such as when you accelerate, carry a load, or drive up a steep slope. This is commonly felt like a minor jolt when the engine skips a beat, usually accompanied by a delay in power delivery.

5.      Engine Performance Drops - A decline in engine performance is another indicator of a faulty or clogged fuel filter. This is generally most obvious while speeding, pulling a burden, or driving up a steep slope, similar to the latter two symptoms. When the ECM detects a shortage of fuel being delivered to the injectors, it reduces power to prevent any harm. While this does not always indicate a blocked fuel filter, it certainly raises the possibility. Especially if this symptom appears to be related to others on the list.