04 Fuel Filter? Does One Exisist?

After going through the service portion of the manual for my 04 Yukon, I could not find any information whatsoever on a fuel filter. The reason I went to the manual was because I was under my truck changing the oil for the first time and looking around the undercarrige. Typically, I see the full size GM truck standard; a fuel filter on the drivers side framerail....but on this truck this was not the case. In a panic, I assumed the worst. Could it be on top of the tank? Or IN the tank?

So here I am. Lookin through the manual; the common stuff is mentioned you know; roatate tires, air filter, change oil, transmission service, windshield washer fluid, etc. etc. But no where is there anything on replacing a fuel filter. I would always change mine out annually or about every 12,000 or so and continue to do so on my 2000 Sierra.

So could anyone please tell me why we dont have to change a fuel filter anymore? I always believed, especially in a high pressure fuel injection system, that the fuel filter change was as vital as changing the oil. Its very important that the fuel is clean before it hits the injectors and makes a world of differance in performance. What gives here?

Good question. As I understand it, the General moved the filter to the tank in mid model year '03. Another reason I shove a pint of Techron in every 3k miles.

Take care,
Jerry

I own a mid-year 03, and the fuel filter is on the driver side frame rail, kinda under the drivers seat. where the frame rail is on a 45 degree angle, kinda pointing to the pass side front wheel. it took me 4 times under there to find it.

It's the regular standard type GM filter that has been used for well over 15 years.

I own a mid-year 03, and the fuel filter is on the driver side frame rail, kinda under the drivers seat. where the frame rail is on a 45 degree angle, kinda pointing to the pass side front wheel. it took me 4 times under there to find it.

It's the regular standard type GM filter that has been used for well over 15 years.


Ya, I know what your talking about...its like my neighbors 02 Tahoe that I change for him...its up more forward on a cross rail on a 30 degree angle near the transmission, not really on the frame rail...its not there either. There is no filter to be seen anywhere. Just lines from the tank to the motor.

I've talked to a mechanic and he said its probably no longer a "service" item? What? I still cant get a good explanation on this. So I dont have to change a filter anymore? Is there one? Is it in the pump in the tank? If so, at what intervals? I asked a Dodge dealer about htis item on the new Darangos......same thing. "No filter". Again I ask, what givews here?

I hope a GM service tech replies to this post.......

Well as I looked furthur down the thread list I see someone once posted a simular question as I have........ The filter is in the tank!!!

I would still like to hear from someone with knowledge on this and the whats and whys for such a (in my opinion) dumb move. The thread said it changes at 100,000 miles!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Is this true? And where did this information come from? It certainly did not come from the owners manual.

Or maybe Im off base? In this world of 100,000 mile spark plugs, 150,000 coolent flushes, 75,000 mile transmission service, 3000 or more mile oil changes, a 100,000 mile fuel filter maybe true. I still can believe it and I still have an issue, even if it is 100,000 miles, on the accesability to reach this part without having to drop a fuel tank. Why do they make things so difficult? This must be some real super-dupper filter!

Please anyone help me here. Thanks