Should I replace my....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
No... mine is 20 years old and has 100,000 plus. You certainly can replace it now, but why would you ? preventive maintenance. ? so your question is when should you..., 2 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years, 20 years, or when you have to.. My vote is when you need to. You can also replace any maintenance item prematurely but that is no guarantee that you wont have any issues with maintenance
items.
Of course this is my educated opinion. there is no guarantee that your fuel filter will last forever. If you are concerned about it, replace it.Bill
items.
Of course this is my educated opinion. there is no guarantee that your fuel filter will last forever. If you are concerned about it, replace it.Bill
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5,341
Likes: 4,286
From: Cunningham, TN
2021 Corvette of the Year - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '26
Yours is fine 57gman, it’s Bill that needs to change his. Thanks for bringing that to his attention! 
Last edited by lewislgZ06; Jun 27, 2019 at 09:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
I'm one of those "over maintenance" freaks. My C-5 is 18 years old, with 29,000 miles on it. I've replaced the fuel filter a couple of times, over the years. Once, "just because", and once because the "o-ring" seal on it's output side began to drip fuel. On a side note, I wonder if the seals on the filters are formulated to withstand the ill effects of the ethanol content in today's fuel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
You don't say what year your car is. Filter change is only straightforward on the early cars with an inline (vs. in the tank) filter. I changed mine at around 60k as I became aware of pump noise - a "hum" from the tank, so I thought I would first change the filter before doing anything else. Changed it, and the noise went away. Now 20k or so miles later and the hum has stayed away.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The pump hum is common with some C5's mine does not have the hum... it has nothing to do with the fuel filter. Since top tier fuel is filtered three times before it gets in my motor, from the refinery to the holding tank to the specific pump, I dont see a problem. there was no problem with the 200,k test motors. I am not arguing the point of changing it. Im just offering my experience. The last couple of years has been difficult for me.. with good days and many very bad days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
The pump hum is common with some C5's mine does not have the hum... it has nothing to do with the fuel filter. Since top tier fuel is filtered three times before it gets in my motor, from the refinery to the holding tank to the specific pump, I dont see a problem. there was no problem with the 200,k test motors. I am not arguing the point of changing it. Im just offering my experience. The last couple of years has been difficult for me.. with good days and many very bad days.
Ergo, the filter change did something.
Oh, and the loud hum has never returned.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
Just one more thought.....isn't it possible for the filter element itself, to break down over an extended period of time, causing particulate to be pushed through the system? That has always been my concern.
My C-5 is 18 years old, with 29,000 miles on it. Can a filter remain "intact" for an indefinite period of time? My wife drives a Jaguar XF. It, too, has relatively low miles (39,000) for a 10 year old car. However, since the filter is reasonably easy to access, I've changed it a couple of times, just to avoid any potential problems.
My C-5 is 18 years old, with 29,000 miles on it. Can a filter remain "intact" for an indefinite period of time? My wife drives a Jaguar XF. It, too, has relatively low miles (39,000) for a 10 year old car. However, since the filter is reasonably easy to access, I've changed it a couple of times, just to avoid any potential problems.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
I think that 80K miles is a good point to change it. Or, 15 years...whichever comes first. The thing only costs $15 to $20 bucks....seems like a no brainer to me. Gives you an excuse to get under your car and check things out..Its called...."Being in tune with your car"...
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,061
Likes: 7,375
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm going out on a limb and saying mine is original. 22 years old and 32k miles on it now. Might change it one of these years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have one in the rear hatch, about 5 years now. It will get changed one of these days. Just like the tpms, Life span 10 to 12 years. Changed mine out at 19 years, they were still working. So the car is running fine, not leaking for now.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 40
From: Hollister, California
You don't say what year your car is. Filter change is only straightforward on the early cars with an inline (vs. in the tank) filter. I changed mine at around 60k as I became aware of pump noise - a "hum" from the tank, so I thought I would first change the filter before doing anything else. Changed it, and the noise went away. Now 20k or so miles later and the hum has stayed away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I had the original fuel filter and changed it out at just over 150,000 miles. Opened it up to see if it was necessary. Black crap came out but don't know if that would be a potential problem or not. It was a little messy but I did it.