Interesting fuel filter change discovery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detroit
Interesting fuel filter change discovery
Hi all,
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
Hi all,
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
Whatever you do....don't post pics.....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Given the inconsistent quality of gasoline these days, that's why I changed my C-5's filter when the car was 4 years old, even though it had only 10-12,000 miles on it at the time. It's not that hard to do, and inexpensive (comparitively speaking) insurance.
My DD Camaro gets it's fuel filter changed every year.
My DD Camaro gets it's fuel filter changed every year.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Changed mine around 70k and literally dumped out a couple tablespoons of sludge from the input end. I didn't need to cut it open to know what the filter media looked like. 
And just like that, the startup hesitation I had disappeared. 
And just like that, the startup hesitation I had disappeared.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Loxahatchee FL
?, i picked one up then put it on the lift but when i looked at the one in the car it looked to be fairly new. no rust, chrome was still clean, etc. i've had the car since Sept. 09 and i've put 2000 miles on it going over dirty roads, dirt road that leads to my house. I would think it would show signs of wear.
Is it normal to see it this way?
Is it normal to see it this way?
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
?, i picked one up then put it on the lift but when i looked at the one in the car it looked to be fairly new. no rust, chrome was still clean, etc. i've had the car since Sept. 09 and i've put 2000 miles on it going over dirty roads, dirt road that leads to my house. I would think it would show signs of wear.
Is it normal to see it this way?
Is it normal to see it this way?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,367
Likes: 0
From: East Oakland CA
can you post a part number?
Hi all,
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
yesterday I replaced my fuel filter on my 100k mile 2000 Coupe because I felt it was time.
The change went ok and afterwards I opened up the old one to see how dirty it was.
WOW! I was surprised how caked up the whole filter element was with a 1mm layer of sludge. The inside facing surface of the filter was clean though. Blowing through was definitely harder than through the new one.
I cut out a piece of the filter paper and let it dry and the dirty layer was flaking off in pieces. It definetely was hurting flow and my fuel pump will probably appreciate the new filters lower resistance. I will look out for improvements in engine operation.
After seeing that, I can only recommend changeing the filter. Next time I will change it much sooner (50k miles max.)
I just did mine on my 02. The filter cost $123.00 from the dealer.
