When should it be changed ?

 

Thinking of changing mine, if you come across a good how-to please share it. I haven't searched for one yet.

 

Changed my '02 FF @ 25K. It definitely needed it.

 

I just changed mine a couple of weeks ago at 35K miles. I actually cut open (tried anyway) the old filter and the filter media was dark brown and appeared to be covered with a varnish-like material. If I'm not mistaken, new fuel filter media is white. So, that gives you an idea.
I guess the change interval depends on the quality of gas in your area and how long you store your car.

PS: Picked up a WIX fuel filter on Ebay for about 30 bucks. The WIX filters are exactly the same as the AC Delco ones but, at a fraction of the price.

 

Would changing the fuel filter improve gas mileage or performance?

Does mileage or how old the filter is, determain when to change out?

What special tool is best to remove the filter?

 

Wix filter, change at every 50,000 miles. Easy R & R. Watch for a small amount of gas to drain as you disconnect it. Tool to break gas line at all car stores and inexpensive. Filter change will add miles to the fuel pump life. Put a small amount of clean motor oil on the filter ends to help installation and better seal.

 

How do you change the fuel filter?

 

I changed mine at 40k and although the media was brown, the filter had life left in it. There wasnt any excessive crud or deformed pleets infering that it was clogged.

Unless your filter is plugged to the extent that your engine is starving for fuel, changing the filter will NOT increase performance. I agree, it may reduce the pump back pressure if the filter is older.

When you use the tool to release the high pressure line on the front of the filter, DEPRESSURIZE" the line at the schrader valve on the fuel rail, , PUSH THE LINE INTO THE FILTER and then insert the tool to release the fingers that secure the line in the filter while holding in on the line. Once the tool is in release the line and it should pop out..

DO NOT BEND the fuel lines. They are plactic/nylon and can and will SNAP!

Replace the O rings with new ones and YES, coat them with a little engine oil before reassembly.

The filter is on the inboard side of the rear drivers side frame rail ( near the transmission.

You can see it in this picture on the frame rail,, just above the top of the exhaust pipe over the axle bend: It has a YELLOW tag on the line



NOTE!!! SOME Late 2003's and all 2004 C5's have C6 style fuel tanks and the filter (sock) is located inside the driver side fuel tank! 97-& 98 C5s have a supply and seperate fuel return line on the fuel rail and their filter is significantly different that the remainder of the 99-2003 C5s. 99+ filters have an internal regulator inside the filter and a return fitting / line on the filter!

 

Correct^^^ check what system you have by your year. I changed my 99 filter out at 60k with a Wix. I have no way of knowing when or if it needed done, but for how easy my style was to change, and 30 bucks for the filter on ebay, I couldn't not do it just to be safe.

 

That would be because that's who's making them for AC Delco now.

 

It is interesting that in much of the automotive world there is a mentality of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Certainly in the racing world that doesn't really apply. Similarly, in the aviation world, it only applies to non-safety related items. Radios? Let them go till they fail.

Oil filters? Fuel filters? In aviation, these items get replaced on a preventative maintenance basis/philosophy. They are replaced long before there is any chance of such items negatively impacting the health of an engine.

I would propose that everyone consider approaching such replacements on the basis of "better safe than sorry." We have no idea of the quality of that component at the time of manufacture. Likewise, it only takes one gas station owner trying to cut corners to save his business for sediment issues to result in a major repair bill.

Along that line, how many of us have magnetic plugs in the engine, tranny, and differential? How about these new oil filter magnets? Cheapest engine insurance there is.

 

Agreed, that's why we all replace spark plugs and wires long before the 100k recommended service intervals, and why I replaced the fuel filter, all oxygen sensors, idlers and tensioners, belts, diff/trans fluid, and you name it. Car only has 67k and I bought it with 58k. I just want new peak performing parts that I will not have to worry about failing for a long time. Plus, if you buy used, you don't know what that thing has been through. What kinds of fuel went through the system etc. etc. etc.

 

i think why in the aviation world we change all of those things before their time is up is because, i know for me at least, we dont pay for them. i have had bad parts from stock as well. but that kinda happens with a/c that flew in Vietnam lol.

 

Was about 10 years old and one of the plastic retainers going into the filter was deteriorated. REPLACE BOTH PLASTIC RETAINERS ON THE FUEL LINE. I think I paid $12 and think it was a Wix. Exactly like the OEM and included 2 new plastic fitting retainers. If it leaks the gas goes right onto the left muffler. Not a good place for gasoline.

 

No kidding. I have a new one in queue to be installed. I hope it has been changed in the 14 years before I got the car.

 

I should change mine. Not something I think about much on a gas motor. The truck gets one every oil change but diesels are hard on them.

 

My sons 99' has over 150,000 with the origanal fuel filter.

 

I would think its JUST ABOUT TIME,, to change that filter...:yesnod :

Bill

 

 

Yes, I have recommended it to him a few times over the years but he's a big boy now and can do what he wants, its his car.