How Long Does A Fuel Filter Last

(Updated on September 9, 2021)

A fuel filter removes particles, impurities, and contaminants from the fuel that would otherwise enter the engine's internal combustion chamber.

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When you pump fuel into your fuel tank, you introduce several opportunities for debris to enter the engine. Particles around the gas cap can fall into the tank. There also may be rust particles or sediment in the fuel tank itself.

When your fuel enters the tank, information technology is going to go mixed with these droppings particles. Without a fuel filter, these particles could easily clog the fragile fuel injectors or fifty-fifty enter the combustion sleeping room. This is going to cause a problem if the contaminated fuel were to enter the engine.

These small particles may otherwise reduce engine operation and mayhap shorten the engine's lifespan. Therefore, the fuel filter has a very important chore to exercise in the fuel system then that the engine tin can stay strong and role well.

How a Fuel Filter Works

Fuel filters are very like to engine oil filters. Fuel goes in one finish of the filter and is passed through a filter element (usually filter paper). The filter newspaper catches particles and contaminants, assuasive clean gasoline to exit the other side.

Many fuel filters are designed with a flow direction that minimizes the filter brake. Make sure to look for this arrow when you go to install a new fuel filter.

Meridian 5 Bad Fuel Filter Symptoms

If you ever go to get your oil inverse at a professional automobile servicing location, the service person will periodically tell y'all that you need to change your fuel filter. The reason for this is that fuel filters practice non last very long in a vehicle.

You may be able to drive upward to xxx,000 miles before yous need to alter your fuel filter although the change interval may exist longer for newer vehicles. After that, your fuel filter may go likewise clogged to do its job properly. You will demand to replace it right away or else endure the consequences.

Here are 5 of the most mutual signs you take a bad fuel filter in need of replacement.

ane) Bad Gas Mileage

Your gas mileage will get worse every bit your fuel filter gets worse. Perhaps you have a clogged fuel filter which is limiting the corporeality of fuel that tin flow into your engine.

If the engine doesn't go enough fuel, information technology will require a faster flow of fuel to become pumped into it so that information technology can sustain the driving demands placed on information technology. This means more fuel consumed than normal.

ii) Check Engine Warning Light

The engine control unit will be able to detect when at that place is a problem with the fuel system. Whatsoever kind of problem that affects the engine similar this volition crusade the Bank check Engine warning light to activate on the dashboard.

A bad fuel filter can crusade this to happen too because information technology negatively affects the flow of fuel going into the engine.

iii) Weak Engine Power

A clogged fuel filter is a restriction in the fuel organization. If y'all stride on the gas pedal and the vehicle does not accelerate immediately or at all, then you may accept a bad fuel filter among other things.

When the engine requires more fuel, a chock-full or worn out fuel filter will foreclose that fuel from getting there fast enough. This volition limit the engine's ability to accelerate your vehicle when you lot want it to.

four) Engine Won't Get-go

Sometimes your engine volition not offset at all if you lot have a faulty fuel filter. Perhaps there is non enough fuel inbound the internal combustion chamber to make the engine functional.

The problem may get-go out equally hard starting but then plough into a problem where it doesn't e'er showtime.

v) Engine Stalling

Yous may exist driving along on the road and so all of a sudden find that your engine is stalling. This is when the engine stops turning, or its RPM is greatly reduced without any just reason.

This volition finish the engine from functioning, which is the worst matter that tin can happen while y'all're driving.

Fuel Filter Replacement Cost

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The replacement cost of a fuel filter is between $50 and $170. The fuel filter office will merely be around $15 or $70 while the labor cost volition be between $45 and $100.

It is not a very expensive or hard task to do at all. That is why almost oil irresolute shops and businesses will offer to do this service because information technology can be washed that quickly.

How Long Does a Fuel Filter Last?

Fuel filters will last a very long fourth dimension. Depending on the vehicle you lot drive, quality of your fuel, and the amount of particles that have made their style into the fuel tank, your fuel filter could last anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000 miles.

Bank check your owner's transmission to run into if the manufacturer includes an explicit interval for fuel filter replacement.

If y'all have over 100,000 miles on your engine and the fuel filter has never been replaced, now might be a good fourth dimension to search for a new one. A clogged fuel filter is a inexpensive gear up that tin can lead to more expensive problems down the road.