You may not realize it, but the health of your engine and your entire vehicle can hinge on your fuel filter. Making sure you don’t have a clogged fuel filter is key to protecting your engine and allowing your vehicle to perform at peak performance. In this blog we’ll discuss what a fuel filter is, how often you should replace it, and how to tell if you have a clogged one.
What is a fuel filter
Fuel filters are important for the health of your engine and keeping the fuel injectors in modern vehicles free of debris. Your fuel injectors have small holes or screens where fuel is sprayed directly into the engine. In order for your vehicle to perform properly, the fuel injectors must be able to inject fuel at a certain pressure. Fuel filters keep the injectors clear of debris, allowing them to inject at the proper pressure.
Older carbureted vehicles had filters located at varying sections along the fuel like. In modern vehicles, the fuel filter is typically located in the rear next to the gas tank.
How often should you replace your fuel filter
Many manufacturer’s claim a “lifetime” warranty on fuel filters. However, this is far from the case.
The exact timeline of how often you should replace your fuel filters will vary based on the make and model of your car and the year it was made. In general, fuel filters should be checked and/or replaced between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, or every 4 to 5 years.
This timeline is every 10,000 to 25,000 miles for diesels.
What happens if you don’t replace your fuel filter
If your fuel injectors get clogged, not only will the pressure of the fuel intake be affected, but the injectors may not be able to spray enough fuel at all. Clogged filters that lead to clogged fuel injectors can result in your fuel pump burning out, costing you hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a replacement. Clogged fuel filters can also cause your CAT to burn out from overheating.
This is why it’s critical to have a clean fuel filter. Your fuel filter is an essential part of your vehicle that keeps water and particulate like dust, paint, dirt, etc. from entering your engine and avoiding costly repairs down the line.
Without a fuel filter, fuel economy would be much lower and various components of your vehicle would be at risk of damage or failure.
Signs of a clogged fuel filter
There are several signs that your may have a clogged fuel filter:
- Stalling
- Loss of power at highway speeds
- Shaky idling
- Lowered Fuel Economy
- Engine Misfires
- Stalling
- Hesitation during acceleration
These are all possible signs of a clogged fuel filter.
While some of these issues like engine misfire can be attributed to other issues, it’s still worth it to stop by your local auto repair shop to catch a bad filter before it develops into severely clogged fuel injectors or a faulty pump.
In addition to these signs, a clogged fuel filter may sound like knocking coming from the engine. When a fuel filter is clogged it starves the engine of fuel and can cause the engine pressure to drop. As a result, you may hear a knocking sound.
A clogged fuel filter may present like one of the symptoms above, but it’s also possible that your car may not start at all. Your engine needs fuel to turn over. If your filter is so clogged that your injectors can’t inject anything, your vehicle won’t be able to start.
If you suspect a clogged fuel filter and think it’s time for a replacement, request an appointment with our team at Beetlesmith’s Valley Auto Service.
