Function Of A Fuel Filter

The fuel filter isn’t a typical part many think about when it comes to their vehicle. It’s just one small component of a vehicle’s fuel system. However, it plays a considerable role and should be looked at more closely. Fuel filters are found on almost every internal combustion engine. The fuel system filter can be located under your car fitted on the gas line. They feature a filter paper inside that removes contaminants from your gasoline. The fuel filter’s job is to remove pollutants before they make their way to your vehicle’s engine. While it might not look like a big job, it is. The fuel filter can be compared to your car’s air filter. In a sense, it screens what is going into your engine. For the best performance of your car’s engine both need to be free of dirt, debris, and other contaminants. An engine’s performance relies on the clean gasoline. The cleaner the gas the more efficient it will burn.

Why and When You Should Replace Your Fuel Filter?

Over time, a fuel filter can become clogged, extremely dirty, or become faulty. When a filter is clogged, it restricts the flow of gasoline to your vehicle’s engine. So it’s necessary to have it replaced. But how does a fuel filter become faulty? Whenever you fill up your gas tank, you are allowing outside particles to get into the fuel system. Paint chips are a commonly found particle in fuel filters because of paints proximity to the where you insert the gas nozzle. Another known containment is rust. Rust is horrible on engines but is a known problem for any vehicle that is exposed to moisture and has steel parts. If these particles make their way through the fuel system, they can cause some significant issues. The most notable ones being clogged fuel injectors or damaging the fuel pump. It is best to replace a fuel filter so damage won’t be done to these more expensive components of your fuel system.

When should you replace your fuel filter? There are many signs it could be time to replace the fuel filter. The easiest sign to identify is if your car has trouble starting and has a rough idle. Other signs could be an engine dies while idling, shakier engine, and a vehicle that struggles at slower speeds. It is best not to wait if you are noticing any of these signs. A pretty good indication that your fuel system is working correctly with a good chance the fuel filter is the culprit. The recommendation for vehicles is to have their fuel filter changed at a somewhat regular interval. If you suspect your car has a faulty fuel filter, Ryan GMW can help! Maintaining a clean fuel filter can ensure your other fuel system parts will remain in good working order.

How Often Should You Change Your Car Fuel Filter?

You may not realize how important it is to change your fuel filter, but it is never too late to learn. To help preserve the life of your car, educate yourself on the inner workings of your vehicle, including the importance of the fuel system filter.

Your vehicle’s fuel system, most obviously, has a vital job in the grand scheme. It stores and supplies the gasoline, or diesel fuel, that your vehicle needs to run. The fuel pump acts as the heart in your body: it will pump fuel through the fuel lines. The fuel filter will grab anything that could be potentially harmful to your vehicle. The key segments of the fuel system are the fuel pump, fuel gauge, fuel tank, fuel filter, fuel lines, and fuel injectors.

Focusing on the fuel filter: this component of the fuel system is required to maintain a clean flow of fuel through to your engine. Some vehicles have two fuel filters: one filter being inside the fuel tank, and the other in-line between the fuel tank and the engine. Some vehicles have just one fuel filter, which has an integration with the fuel pump module assembly.

Fuel filters serve a vital function for your engine. Unfiltered fuel can contain several harmful materials: rust, dirt, and other debris. Your fuel filter will remove these materials because, if it cannot, they can cause damage to high-precision components. When fewer contaminants are present in the fuel that your vehicle uses, the more efficiently you will use it – the more efficiently your vehicle will run. If a fuel filter becomes clogged, the fuel pump must work hard to get pump past the clog. This issue can lead to damage in the electric fuel pump.

Now that you understand the importance of the fuel system filter, you may wonder how often to change fuel filter. If your transportation has a replaceable in-line fuel filter, it is an excellent idea to replace it every 30,000 miles. A few good indications that you need to change your fuel filter are wear and rust. The other systems will include the hard starts, idling, hesitation, fuel leaks, the smell of fuel, and poor overall vehicle performance. If you notice these signs and are not sure, seek a professional’s advice.

A properly running fuel filter system will make sure that your vehicle runs efficiently on the fuel that it needs. All toxins are for removal, and only vital energy is added into your vehicle’s engine.

If you have gone unchecked, your fuel filter may cease to work well. Debris and other potentially harmful materials will get into your fuel and your engine and dramatically affect the performance – and lifetime – of your vehicle. The importance of regular vehicle maintenance is to help increase its life.