What Might Cause a Fuel Line Malfunction
Fuel lines, like anything in an engine, are liable to break over years of wear and tear. Or, a fuel line may take on some spontaneous damage in its lifetime. For example, I’ve seen a Chevy truck fuel line damaged from a blunt force caused by the high-centering of the vehicle. Fully functional fuel lines have one simple task - to take a regulated amount of fuel from your fuel tank to your engine. If you’ve got a malfunctioning fuel line, you’ll have a lack of fuel flow or inconsistent fuel flowing to your engine. If you’re experiencing fuel supply issues, you may need to replace your fuel lines. Here are some causes of fuel line malfunction.
Clogged Fuel Line
If you’ve got a fuel line that’s bordering on ancient, it may be clogged up. Over the years, gunk will build up in your fuel line - even with the best fuels. Gunk can be caused by engine debris or imperfections in your fuel. A clogged fuel line may cause engine sputtering, or it may kill a running engine entirely.
Blunt Force
If you high-center your vehicle, you may damage the fuel line. Similarly, launching a rock out of your wheel well while you’re on the road may damage the integrity of your fuel line.
Corroded Parts
Although fuel lines are designed to last for decades - as they’re often stainless steel - certain parts may endure corrosion. Corrosion will eventually cause fuel leaks.
Poor Installation
A poorly installed fuel line may leak or be entirely inoperable. Fuel lines are designed to hold pressure, and any holes in a fuel line installation will allow for leaks.
