WHAT IS A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING SERVICE?
A properly done fuel cleaning service involves the thorough scouring of your Ford's fuel system of all contaminants that might impact the running quality of your vehicle. Everything from the injectors to the combustion chamber, pump, filter, and fuel tank is taken care of during a fuel system cleaning service. If your mechanic says you need this service, don't put it off. Delaying for too long can cause damage to the system that is far more expensive to repair in the long run.
The Ford vehicles on the road today require full fuel system cleaning service once every 30,000 miles. If any components have taken significant wear and tear and the mechanic notices them during cleaning, they'll be replaced for a small fee. If your Ford is under warranty, these sorts of maintenance and repair issues are likely covered.
The individual components of the fuel system have different life spans. When you hit these milestones, the related components should be replaced regardless of their apparent condition. Beyond a certain age, some parts can lose integrity in ways that aren't easily seen. The fuel tank needs to be replaced least often, and it should last at least a decade. Fuel pumps can last around 100,000 miles, but their condition varies greatly according to use, so you may have to replace them sooner.
The fuel injector itself needs to be replaced between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on the model year of the vehicle. Check your owner's guide for details. The fuel filter has the widest range of operating life. It varies by model year from 20,000 miles to 150,000 miles, with the higher number more common on high-performance models or vehicles with performance package upgrades.