vapor lock
Engine heat failure
Vapor lock is a disruption in fuel flow when liquid fuel vaporizes in the fuel line or pump before reaching the engine, creating air pockets that block the system.
It typically occurs in older vehicles on hot days: The car stalled from vapor lock after sitting in traffic.
Modern fuel injection systems have largely eliminated the problem.
Becoming dangerously warm
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
- summerYear's warmest season
high altitude · thermal · ambient temperature · engine bay · radiant heat
Engine fuel-air mixer
- fuel lineTube delivering combustible liquid
- fuel pumpDevice transferring petroleum to motor
- intake manifoldAir distribution component
- fuel systemEngine's energy delivery apparatus
injector · throttle · choke · air filter · fuel filter · gasoline · petrol · diesel
Barrier against extreme temperatures
- fuel injectionPressurized engine delivery system
- cool downReduce temperature or intensity
Intentional delay tactics
- hard startChallenging initial moment
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- rough idleUneven stationary engine operation
overheating
Becoming dangerously warm
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
summer · high altitude · thermal · ambient temperature · engine bay · radiant heat
carburetor
Engine fuel-air mixer
- fuel lineTube delivering combustible liquid
- fuel pumpDevice transferring petroleum to motor
- intake manifoldAir distribution component
fuel system · injector · throttle · choke · air filter · fuel filter · gasoline · petrol · diesel · ethanol
heat shield
Barrier against extreme temperatures
- fuel injectionPressurized engine delivery system
- cool downReduce temperature or intensity
stalling
Intentional delay tactics
- hard startChallenging initial moment
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
rough idle · stumbling · surging · dying · misfiring
prime
Readying for action
bleed · purge · diagnose · mechanic · roadside · stranded · tow · waiting · fan
- car troublesflat tire, dead battery, breakdown, overheating, stalling
- fuel problemsfuel leak, fuel pump failure, clogged filter, wrong fuel, empty tank
- cooling systemsradiator, coolant, antifreeze, thermostat, water pump
- engine behavioridling, running, stalling, starting, revving
vapor, lock, vapors, vaporous, vaporize, vaporization, vaporizer, vaporizing, vaporized