fuel filter

While crawling around under the Rodeo and fixing the ABS sensor connector, I looked up and saw the fuel filter, which has over 150K on it, and figured I ought to change it. Very accessible. Any filters to avoid? Which did you use? Thanks!

i've been using the local brand from pep boys. i've used three of them so far with no problems.

Everything on my truck lately has been from Napa.

Original fuel filter? Wow, any problems with the pump - is it original?

My pump is original, but we've had to change the filter about every 20-30k miles, it's always NASTY!

Mine is a fram like the rest of my filters.

Do yourself a favor and pick up some decent hose clamps like THESE (http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3055&mfrcode=DOR&mfrpartnumber=55172) they are much better at sealing and alot easier to work with then the spring clamps the factory puts on.

...change the [fuel] filter about every 20-30k miles, it's always NASTY!

how do you know?



//bc

Thanks for the advice, as always. I'll head up the street to NAPA tomorrow for the filter and some fuel hose clamps. I'll try to take some hose of the same size up there because they look at me funny when I say, "...for some hose about this big."

The filter and the pump are original, knock on wood. I wonder if I can attribute it to not letting it get lower than half a tank. Old wives' tale? I'm also wondering which tank of my 3 100K+ mile vehicles will have to be dropped first.

Same here, I never let it get below half.

How do I know my fuel filters have been nasty - have you ever opened one? YUCK!

...How do I know my fuel filters have been nasty - have you ever opened one? YUCK!

no, really. what was YUCK! , specifically, about yours?

That has to be one of the easiset maintenance items on the rig. Two 10mm bolts hold the filter in the bracket, and 2 spring clamps secure the hoses. NAPA didn't have the fuel line clamps, so I went with the factory clamps for now. I removed an AC filter. If it wasn't the original, it was put on just before we bought it at 30K or so. If it's any indication of what the insides look like, a bunch of rich tea colored gas flowed from the tank side of the filter after I removed it, while clean gas flowed from the engine side. Maybe I'll break it open with my son tonight for giggles. I didn't depressurize the system first, and only a small amount of gas, maybe 8 oz., emptied into my catch basin. I haven't driven it yet. The daughter took it out first. It's running, so I got the direction right. She says it does accelerate better, but we'll see. Thanks again for the help!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/surferfletch/filter.jpg
The outside of the filtering material was coated entirely and evenly in a thin layer of brown mud. It had to be obstructing flow to some degree. The inside of the filter material was a light orange color. Scraping away the mud on the outside revealed the same color. The metal flecks are from hacksawing the metal shell of the filter.

thanks for the cutaway photo.
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...oh, that YUCK.


//bc

what photo?

what photo?

uh, the one right above my post...? from surferfletch...?

:p

yuck! how does it feel to extend the life of ur fuel pump?:)

It has 155K or so on it now. I'm really not looking forward to swapping it yet, though! How many miles more can I expect from it?

With an american made fuel pump you never know. You are doing the right thing by not letting the fuel get low though. The main cause of fuel pumps dying is ppl letting the tank get to E before filling up. The pump needs the fuel around it to keep it cool. I fill mine up at 1/2 tank too. Dont really need to fill up that soon, as long as you dont let it get below 1/4. I fill mine up at 1/2 cuz the tank is about twice the size my mitsu had so I'm trying to avoid sticker shock.

If it was a japanese made fuel pump then I would worry alot less about it. For some reason they are able to make pumps that will last if you let the tank get to E every time, but american makers havent figured that out. Any mechanic will tell you that 9 out of 10 fuel pumps they do are "american" cars.

i agree that american fuel pumps do not last as long but if you take care of the american fuel pump it will last (like you said above) example my brother has a 92 ford probe/maxda 626 with the 2.2. has 260,000 (and climbing) miles on it with the original fuel pump. how did that happen? he changes the fuel filter every 15,000 miles and never gets the tank below 1/4 also probably luck.

also just a side note: i have heard from alot of local certified techs that the aftermarket fuel pumps sold by parts houses are trouble:nono: . every one i talk to puts the new oem fuel pump every time.

I'm getting ready to change my fuel filter ... just hit 74K and its the original. I'm hoping it helps my gas mileage. Anyways, I just filled up my tank, is there anything I should worry about? Should I wait till the tank gets lower on fuel or will there be no problem with disconnecting it?

Thanks,

I don't think there will be much difference in the amount of fuel you'll lose when you disconnect the lines. This is a 10-15 min job.

great thanks ... i figured it might be the fuel thats in the lines and thats it. Anything else I should know, or is it as straightforward as it looks?

thanks