When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just changed my filter for the 3rd time in 6 years of ownership. The car is somewhat of a daily driver during the summer months and I average around 10K miles per year. Each time I have changed the filter it has made a noticable improvement in throttle response. During every change I have blown through the old filter after the gas has drained and it seems very restricted. How often do you change your fuel filter?
Fuel filter replacement is probably a function of the amount of gas that flows through, inverse of the flow rate, and the amount of time that the car sits with no flow. Dirty fuel plays a part in this too I guess.
All that said, my Explorer came with an instruction to not replace the fuel filter until 100k miles. Did it twice in my ownership period. Didn't change anything except the smell of the shirt that I was wearing.
A blow-through 'test' of the old filter is only fair if you put the new filter in long enough to soak the filter medium with fuel. A dry filter will pass air a lot easier than one that has pores plugged with liquid. A 'true' test of the filter would be a backpressure test of old vs new, with the pressure gauge connected on the pump side of the filter.
I suspect that many fuel filters are replaced as part of the 'process of elimination' troubleshooting procedure for possible fuel system problems. Most filters are changed after a problem rather than as some sort of PM. Maybe that's the point of the original question.
A well-respected 928 guru said once that he was not aware of any fuel filter replacement that allowed a non-starting car to start. He sells a lot of fuel filters, so his is a statistically sound observation.
And now (drum roll please....) I need to admit that I have three fuel filters on the shelf, purchased by accident, and have never changed one on the 928. 70k miles, always run good gas, car runs great with no fuel-pump howls and no performance issues. And no leaks. It may be that soon, I'll have he back of the car in the air, tank almost empty, and it will be practical to pull the filter as part of some wax-the-gas-tank chore under there. It's just not on the PM schedule right now, though.
Agreed but only if the PO or mechanic didn't over tighten the lines. I tried to remove mine as part of PM and found my open ended wrenches not up to task (snap on). Went to the local 'wrench' store and got a set of flared type........worked like a hot damn with no damage to nuts or lines.
Yeah I just did mine the other day, the only issue i had was with previous owner oversinching down the fitting, I had a problem with the 17mm nut, on the driver side of the filter, it was a pain but i sprayed it with some wd 40 then the next time i got around to it a few days later it was removed, i would strongly suggest a flare wrench though as the one 17mm nut is very shallow and you dont want to strip it.
Hi if your going to open the fuel system make sure that you have on hand the correct number and size of new copper crush washers,and a good set of line wrenches, otherwise a 20 minute job will last all afternoon and you wont be able to drive the car because gas will be leaking from the fuel pump/filter connections, also use gloves and tie rags around your wrists so gas wont run down your arm
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Slideshow: For a company obsessed with engineering precision, Porsche has occasionally named its cars in ways that left even loyal enthusiasts scratching their heads.
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Slideshow: Pogea Racing's latest Porsche 964 project blends carbon-fiber construction, modern chassis upgrades, and up to 500 horsepower while keeping the air-cooled 911 experience firmly analog.
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Slideshow: Talos Vehicles has transformed the Porsche 911 GT3 RS into a carbon-bodied, race-inspired machine that costs well over $1 million before the donor car is even included.
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.