The fuel filter in your BMW needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. Failure to do this can clog the filter. In addition, the fuel system is generally inspected and flushed every 30,000 miles. This helps to prevent other fuel system parts from developing clogs, as well. If your BMW ends up with a fuel filter clog or a clog somewhere else in the system, you will have the following problems.
Poor Performance
Naturally, your BMW cannot perform optimally if there is a clog in the fuel filter or fuel system. In order to get the best performance out of the BMW’s engine, you need the fuel flowing into the cylinders constantly. If there is a lack of fuel, the BMW will lag, especially when you accelerate. Unfortunately, there may be a lack of fuel if the fuel filter or another part of the fuel system is clogged.
Poor Fuel Economy
It might seem strange that you will see a reduction in your fuel economy, but you may. As the BMW misfires and struggles to run, the engine may burn more fuel in order to produce power. In severe cases, you may end up with a noticeable loss of fuel economy. Your household budget may take a serious hit if you need to fill the BMW’s tank more often. The fuel system service helps you save money in the end.
Difficult/No Starts
We talked about engine performance problems above, but the honest truth is that you may not be able to get your BMW to start. If you don’t have enough fuel making its way into the cylinders, the BMW is not going to generate combustion. Consequently, you may have difficulty getting the BMW started or it may refuse to start no matter how many times you try. You may not have any fuel in the engine.
Faulty Fuel Pump
Finally, the BMW has a fuel pump located in the tank. This pump takes the fuel from the tank and moves it into the engine. As the fuel flows through the fuel system, it will hit a figurative brick wall when it hits the clog. The fuel pump will try to overcompensate for this problem by working even harder to push the fuel into the engine. Consequently, you may end up with a faulty fuel pump because of a clogged fuel filter.
We are experts in European automobiles, and are certified technicians know BMWs like they know the back of their hands. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment if you suspect you got a fuel system problem.