When I replace my fuel filters I always cut them open for an inspection. The last time I observed any contamination was in 1965. In that case the car ran fine at slow speeds but would not go very fast and the cause was a real dirty fuel filter. I agree with the above statements that fuel is very clean when it is pumped into the car.

 

Anything over 30k, I don't care how good of fuel you buy there is restriction. Unless you buy gas out of a drum its contaminated. The fuel filters on the gas pump hoses are high flow not high filtration.
I was a Chevy tech for 10 years and I cannot tell you how many clogged/restricted fuel filters I changed in that time. They recommended 15k intervals. I change my own every 10k and there is a noticeable restriction when I blow through them and ( I always do).

It's hard to diagnose because the vehicle idles perfect and fuel pressure is right on. The first sign it's getting restricted is you start losing power at higher RPM's (loss of volume). It's hard to notice though,because it comes on very slowly. On the highway when you punch it it seems like it's not all there and the engine makes more RPM noise than power.

GM figures the new fuel pumps supply enough extra fuel to compensate for restriction for many miles and their warranty. What happens is the internal fuel pressure regulator will flow less and less excess fuel into the tank and finally you will be running on fuel pump pressure until you have drivability problems or fuel pump failure, which ever comes first.

I also had fuel restriction problems on cars of my own if I neglected them. 2 on my 1985 Corvette and 1 on my 1998 Chevy Tahoe. These filters were restricted enough to cause drivability problems. When I pulled them out and tried to blow through them ,I couldn't. Most fuel pumps go out because of restricted filters. That's why when you buy a fuel pump most will not guarantee it unless you change your filter also. All my gas is purchased through Shell, Mobil or Amoco and I burn 93 premium.

If you modded your car eg. heads, cam, headers or anything that would warrant more fuel , your restriction symptoms will show sooner because of the increased fuel demand.


Perry
.
.
.

.
.
.

 

I always wondered what happened to all the Vagas, that explains it!! LOL

 

I'm with C6dude. On my 99 I changed the fuel filter at 30k and 60k and both times found very noticeable restriction. I used only Chevron gas and if it was so clean why was there a restriction?

 

A clogged filter would give you other issues. My guess -- Bas Gas!