The fuel filter is an important component of a vehicle and must be treated as such. Car expert recommended replacing the fuel filter of preventive maintenance especially in high mileage vehicles. As a vehicle gets older, debris and rust tend to accumulate in the fuel tank. Debris sneaks into your fuel tank every time you open it to pump fuel and rust forms gradually through condensation and moisture. Hence changing your fuel filter at regular intervals can not only avoid plugging of the fuel tank, but improve fuel efficiency.
Most car owners are confused as to when to change their fuel filters and this is solely because it is not mentioned in the owner’s manual. To add to this, some manuals even state that the fuel filter comes with a lifetime warranty and hence doesn’t need replacement, but it’s just like your filter in your air-conditioner; if you don’t clean it, you will not experience clean air. Gas stations generally claim that their fuel is filtered, but at most times, this isn’t the case. The fuel you pump in your vehicle is sometimes mixed with water from unfiltered storage, watered down or mixed with different blends of alcohol, which simply increases the chances of contamination.
Replacing the fuel filter periodically simply safeguards you from a plugged fuel tank, and the tips below will help you determine when it’s time for a replacement. The sure shot way of knowing when to replace the fuel filter is by removing it and cleaning it by blowing through it. If you feel that there is less resistance, then the fuel filter is okay, but if there is a substantial amount, then it needs to be replaced. When you are performing this task, it is important to keep the filter away from your mouth as gas is poisonous and doesn’t taste very good. To avoid contact directly with the fuel filter, attached a rubber hose to it and then blow and clean it.
If your filter is completely plugged, it will cut off the fuel supply to the injectors or carburetor. This may lead to a stalled engine or not starting altogether. Newer vehicles are fuel filters are equipped with a spring element, which allows the fuel to flow to the flow to flow to the carburetor even if the filter is clogged, but since the fuel doesn’t bypass the filter, the chances of dirt accumulation in your carburetor are extremely high, which will lead to a other potential problems.
Another alternative to having to worry about a clogged fuel filter is to install a partially restricted filter. These types of fuel filters provide just the right amount of fuel to keep the engine running at low speeds and idle, but may deprive the engine when larger loads or high or loads are achieved. So by using a restricted filter, you engine vehicle will comfortably on short city errands, but may not hold up on top speeds or highway speeds.
A tank filter is yet another protective layering that resembles a screen or mesh and is designed to stop big pieces of rust and dirt from sneaking into the electric fuel pump or pickup tube. Just like a fuel filter, a clogged or dirty tank filter can have the same hazardous effects on your vehicle. Therefore, it you’ve experienced any of the above problems and cleaning and replacing the fuel filter didn’t help, the tank filter may be the culprit this time. Cleaning the tank filter is not as easy as the fuel filter as the fuel tank has to be removed completely to perform this action. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms or aren’t sure if it’s time to replace or clean the fuel filters, taking it to an experienced mechanic is your best choice.
