'04 Fuel Filter

So last night I go to O'Reilly's and buy a fuel filter for my truck. I just hit 30,000 miles and I figure that it would be a good time to change it. Well, they sell me the typical Chevrolet screw in-line fuel filter that I am familiar with. So I crawl underneath my truck and look inside the frame rail and, much to my suprise, there is no fuel filter. Fuel lines are clearly accounted for, but there is no filter there?!?

So, where and when did Chevy move the fuel filter to? I really don't want to hear that the thing is inside the tank now. I'm really confused, especially since O'Reilly sold me the filter that supposedly fits my truck, according to their computer.

What gives???

I believe in 2004 GM made the fuel filter a non servicable part. I think it is now located in the fuel pump assembly in the gas tank and is supposed to last the life of the fuel pump. Hope this helps.

Yup, part of the pump assembly. The engine has to utilize all fuel suppied by the pump and as such no return lines either. This was all mandated by the federal govt's emission control standards and as such you can't blame the manufacturers for this. I guess one has to be more carefull and ensure you only put in top quality gasoline.

So...how long is this filter supposed to last?? Is it going to really last the life of the truck? I just don't know that I trust such a thing. I think what it really means is...when your fuel filter becomes clogged, you can either spend a whole day dropping your gas tank to replace it, or you can pay someone else $800 to do it for you.

I don't think I like this deal very much. Thanks for the info. guys.

I dont like the idea either. As an aside,there are some models of transmissions out there (both auto and manual) that are also non- serviceable..totally sealed with no fill or drain plugs.
Things are getting so you really don't want to keep a truck much longer than 3 years these days.