Repair 7

1998 Suzuki Esteem Fuel System Components

The 1998 Suzuki Esteem was an economical compact car---available as a sedan or a wagon---offering reasonable space and practicality. The Esteem had an understated generic design, but it offered a solid 1.6L, in-line, 4-cylinder engine capable of delivering 95 horsepower. With its light 2,250-pound curb weight, the Esteem posted very respectable fuel economy figures of 37 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 miles per gallon in the city.

Fuel Pump

The Esteems electronically controlled fuel pump is located in the gas tank. As its name suggests, its function is to pump gas through the fuel lines to the engine compartment.

Fuel Pressure Regulator

The fuel pressure regulator, located under the hood, is responsible for feeding fuel directly to the injectors at the correct pressure. This is controlled by the electronic control unit---or ECU---and is based on several parameters, including driver throttle input and revolutions per minute. The regulator must be in good working order, as failing to feed fuel into the engine at the correct pressure can cause severe issues, such as back-firing or even detonation caused by the improper ratio of air to fuel.

Fuel Injectors

The Esteem is equipped with four small fuel injectors, each responsible for providing fuel to the combustion chamber. The injectors are also controlled by the ECU, which instructs the injectors when and for how long to release fuel. Injectors must be free from deposits or contaminants to operate effectively.

Fuel Filter

The fuel filter screens out any foreign object or debris that may accumulate in the fuel tank.