How To Replace Your Vehicle’s Fuel Filter

Your gas tank is equipped with a mesh that can prevent large clumps of dirt and rust from contaminating the line that delivers gasoline to your engine. However, that mesh cannot catch smaller debris. Over time, small particles of dirt and rust can gain access to the line and clog your fuel injectors. That will affect the performance and efficiency of your engine. Your fuel filter (FF) helps to prevent this from happening by catching particles that are as small as ten microns (a single micron equals 0.0001 centimeter).

The media that is used to catch dirt and debris can be constructed of synthetic fibers, ceramic, nylon, and even glass fibers. Regardless of the material used, if it performs its job well, it will eventually become clogged. If you don’t replace it, you’ll experience output problems, hard starts, and stalls. To help you avoid these types of issues, I’ll explain how to replace your fuel filter below.

Relieve The Pressure

This is important. If your vehicle uses an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system, there is likely to be pressure built up within the fuel line. Disconnecting the hoses without relieving (or at least, reducing) that pressure can be dangerous.

Your car relies upon a specific fuse to operate the FF. Locate that fuse. Then, turn the engine over and pull the fuse out. Your vehicle will continue running until the line is depressurized. Once it loses its pressure, your car will die. Turn the engine off, lift the hood, and don your protective goggles.

Remove The Lines

It’s helpful to have two pens or pencils on hand before you disconnect the lines. I’ll explain why in a moment. You’ll also need a couple of open end wrenches in order to detach the hoses that are connected to the filter. When removing them, it’s a good idea to place a rag over the connections. That will prevent gas from spraying upward. Even though you depressurized the line, dangerous accidents can happen.

After you have removed each hose, stick one of the pens or pencils into it to prevent leaking. Then, slip the filter from its place.

Replace The Old With The New

Installing the new filter is simple. Work backward. Place the component into position, put the hoses and clamps on, and tighten them with the wrenches. Then, replace the fuse that you had removed earlier in order to depressurize the line. Start your vehicle to reestablish pressure.

It’s important to always use a new fuel filter as a replacement. They’re inexpensive; most auto supply stores will sell them for prices that range from $10 (for older vehicles) to $50. It has a critical job to perform. By keeping dirt, debris, and rust from accessing your engine, it improves your engine’s performance as well as the overall fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

Tags: Car Maintenance, Fuel Filter

This entry was posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 4:06 pm and is filed under Cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.