How often should I change the fuel filter?
If you are also struggling with this problem, cleaning and replacing the filter system period is the key to returning your four-wheeled friend to ideal working conditions.
The fuel filter removes impurities from the oil line and fuel tank before transmission to the engine. When receiving quality fuel, drivers can get their vehicles back in tip-top shape.
Unfortunately, foreign objects and dirt in the fuel rail get trapped in the filter over time, becoming a mess and obstructing the oil’s path.
Not only that, but gasoline is also increasingly losing its purity and seriously reducing quality.
Explore our article to discover the answer to the above question and use knowledge related to this topic!
How Often Should I Change The Fuel Filter?
Short answer: Previously, most vehicles would need a new fuel filter after about 20,000 to 30,000 miles. So, how often should you change a fuel filter nowadays?
Thanks to an upgraded fuel injector system, modern vehicles can have the rule of thumb up to 60,000 miles before needing a new filter replacement.
The numbers above are only estimates and not true in all cases.
Because oil filter life varies based on vehicle model, driving conditions, and user warranties, it’s best to have a thorough inspection with a mechanic to determine the ideal point when your vehicle needs a new replacement.
What Are The Signs Of A Bad Fuel Filter That Needs Changing?
No driver wants to stop their journey in the middle of the road because of a filter problem.
Fortunately, besides knowing how often to replace fuel filter, you can prevent this danger by promptly making repairs as soon as you detect the bad fuel filter symptoms listed below. Let’s check!
Poor Motor Performance
A blockage in the primary fuel filter causes a shortage of additional fuel for the vehicle’s operation, causing your 4-wheeled friend to perform poorly often.
Symptoms are often more prominent when the car travels over rough unpaved roads, goes uphill, or accelerates.
Heavy loads while the oil filter is clogged can lead to the Diesel vehicle engine hesitating, surging, rough idling, and sputtering.
Stalling
The frequency with which the engine stalls is both an indicator and an indication of the degree of deterioration of the oil filter inside your engine room.
You can restart the engine during the first period without losing too much power.
But once the problem worsened, the fuel supply became increasingly sporadic, leading to constant stalling, especially when going uphill.
There is no better remedy for Diesel fuel filters that have reached such a critical point than replacing them with a brand-new product.
Bad Fuel System Part
The consequences of a limited fuel filter in that the pump does not receive enough power to operate is most evident in the annoying noise during travel.
In addition, this inadvertently creates excessive pressure on the pump, reducing the life of the pump.
Contaminants from a dirty filter can cause headaches with leaks, blockages, or even damaged fuel system components.
If this problem occurs, you will have to spend a lot of money cleaning and repairing the injectors.
Mainstream Diesel fuel filters often need to be depressurized in the fuel system before entering the DIY process. Pull the fuel pump fuse and let the engine run until it turns off.
Finally, the pressure a fuel filter blockage puts on the lines can cause the washers, gaskets, and O-rings to degrade and fall apart.
Please replace them all with the mounts. After the work is complete, check once again whether they have been installed properly.
Hard Starting
Once this happens, your fuel filter is so clogged that it can’t be clogged anymore!
The consequence of this problem is that the vehicle takes longer to start the Diesel engine than usual, causing inhibition and discomfort for passengers.
Cleaning the filter regularly will avoid this problem. But once the blockage is irreversible, the only solution is to replace it with a new product.
Misfire
Low fuel pressure when the filter is clogged can lead to loss of power, leading to bad vehicle performance. Misfire ignition is more and more common, and the more fuel economy the car consumes.
Once this condition reaches an alarming level, the check engine light will automatically light up, signaling you it’s time to get to the service center.
How To Change Your Fuel Filter Effectively?
Depending on your model and area, a new filter and oil change will cost anywhere from $35 to $75. If you own a synthetic oil vehicle, you need to pay even more for the replacement cost, ranging from $65 to $125.
Fortunately, you can save a lot in labor costs by performing the replacement process yourself at home.
Just knowing “how often do you change the fuel filter” is not enough! So, please follow our 6-step tutorial, and you’ll easily complete the task as a piece of cake!
Step 1: Collect Tools
Make sure you have gathered all of the following before entering the replacement process:
- A new oil filter (same classification and size as the old product)
- Drain pan
- Garden hose (connected to a clean water source)
- Fire extinguisher
- Protective glasses
- Needle-nose pliers
- Slot screwdriver
- Ramps (only for fuel filter mounted underneath the car)
Step 2: Relieve Fuel Pressure
Locate the fuel pump relay or fuse correctly and unplug them. The relay is usually located under the control panel or behind the kick panels of the engine compartment.
In comparison, the fuse appears near the bottom of the dashboard and just below your steering wheel/hood.
Try starting the car to check that the wires are properly disconnected. If the disconnection is successful, the motor will still spin but won’t start or start for a few seconds and then shut down.
Let the engine cool for a few minutes and move on to the next step.
Step 3: Locate The Filter
Modern car models often have a fuel filter in the middle of the fuel pump tank (inside the engine compartment).
However, some special or older vehicle models have different installation locations for this system.
Therefore, check your car repair manual carefully to determine the correct place where the fuel filter is installed on your vehicle.
Step 4: Remove The Old Fuel Filter
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from anything splashing out of the pipe when you disconnect the filter. If your fuel filter is under the car, you will need to use ramps to create enough space to creep inside.
Place the drain plug under the filter, then use pliers to loosen and disassemble the hoses connecting the ends of the oil filter.
The clamps that hold in place at the lots of the lines are quite sturdy, so use pliers instead of removing them with your bare hands.
Continue to loosen the oil filter system’s bolts and screw clamps, then gently set the filter aside. Once an oil spill is detected, using the drain pan to catch the fuel will help avoid fuel waste and prevent fires.
Step 5: Install A New Replacement
Place the new replacement in place of the old product (pay attention to the correct orientation), then use pliers to tighten the fixing bolts.
If you don’t know where to start, look for the flow direction arrow printed on the filter body and install it, so the flow is directed toward the motor.
Reinstall the fuel lines, then tighten the hose clamps. Doublechecking after installation is never an extra step, as it minimizes the possibility of the fuel hose slipping out of its original position and causing an oil spill.
Step 6: Reinstall Relay or Fuse
Reset the fuel pump relay and fuse to the original state, and try starting your car again later. Pay attention to see if the problem goes away while the vehicle is still operating normally.
If so, congratulations on completing this task. If the answer is no, it is best to ask the mechanical experts at an auto repair center to have a more in-depth examination of your vehicle’s problem.
The Final Thought
How often should I change the fuel filter? What are the bad fuel filter symptoms, and what detailed guide to replace it effectively?
Through the above article, we hope you have accumulated enough useful information on how often to change fuel filter periodically
Besides knowing how often change fuel filter, you can extend the filter replacement period thanks to regular maintenance.
Consult your vehicle’s manual and contact expert mechanics to determine the perfect time for your filter replacement. Good luck!