Every vehicle has four main filters the air filter, oil filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter. The purpose of all these filters is the same, they help to prevent the contaminants from reaching the engine or the cabin. A clogged fuel pump can give rise to many driving problems such as insufficient fuel for the engine or the engine not starting. This can shatter your plans with your loved ones. The fuel filter is an essential part of the vehicle when driving daily on busy roads or highways. Whether you have a sedan, SUV, or heavy-duty truck, a better and clean fuel filter will allow you to reach your desired destination. This guide will surely help you understand the importance of a fuel filter and will also help you buy a better one.
1. What Is A Fuel Filter?
2. Which Type Of Fuel Filter Should I Choose?
3. What Should I Look For When Buying A Fuel Filter?
4. Which Popular Brand Of Fuel Filter Should I Choose?
5. How Much Should I Pay For A New Fuel Filter?
6. When Should I Change My Fuel Filter?
7. Should I Buy A Standard Or Performance Fuel Filter?
8. Why Do Some Diesel Vehicles Have Two Fuel Filters?
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What Is A Fuel Filter?A fuel filter is a simple component that is fitted in a fuel system to pull out contamination from the fuel. The fuel filter removes moisture and dust, which are present in the fuel, to protect the engine’s components like the injection pump and nozzle from clogging and wear. The fuel filter can be made from plastic or metal that contains a filtration element. Fuel from the fuel tank enters the filter and comes out clean and which can be used in the engine. The early fuel filters were like small plastic cans and were designed for smaller and low-power engines. Today, with the introduction of new technology fuel injectors engines, it was the requirement for a fuel filter that could withstand the high-pressure levels in the fuel system.
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Which Type Of Fuel Filter Should I Choose?There are two types of fuel filters. Depending on the make and model of the car you drive, the size and the shape may vary, but the function and work remain the same, to avoid dirt and other debris from entering and clogging the vehicle’s fuel delivery system. It’s a condition that can disrupt the engine’s performance.
This type of filter is usually small and is made from paper. The petrol engine has only a single fuel filter, as the fuel is generally cleaner than diesel. The petrol fuel filters can be found in different areas of the vehicle, as the fitment is easy and requires basic tools. This kind of fuel filter is used in petrol injection systems and in carburetor vehicles.
The diesel fuel filters can be larger as they are fitted in the large filter housing. Diesel engine vehicles have one or two fuel filters, which are known as primary and secondary fuel filters. These filters are mostly found in the engine area or in between the tank and the engine. In diesel engines, cartridge-type filters are used, as it is affordable and easy to replace.
The spin-on fuel filter is the type of filter that uses threads to mount on the vehicle. These filters may look identical to an oil filter. They are usually installed in the engine compartment, and their major advantage is that they minimize the mounting time. Used filters can be easily removed and the new ones can be fitted in a short time, making it possible for any vehicle owner to perform this task.
This type of filter is the most affordable one and easy to replace. This type of fuel filter comes in a metal case. When the period of use is over, only the filter cartridge is replaced and the outer metal part is kept. The outer shell is a separate component that mounts on a mating surface of the vehicle and can be used for a long time. Some outer shells can have a drain plug at the bottom, which can be used to remove water and other heavy contaminants. The benefit of this kind of filter is they help to reduce the amount of waste. Cartridge fuel filters are environmentally friendly products. They have fewer parts to throw away, which can be less impactful on the surroundings.
These types of fuel filter are mostly seen on carburetor and injection type petrol vehicles. As the name implies, these inline filters are placed anywhere in the fuel lines. The outer shell is usually made from metal and sometimes from plastic, with the filtration element inside. These fuel filters are less friendly to the environment because when their period is finished, the whole fuel filter needs to be removed and thrown away. The main advantage of these fuel filters is they ensure more effective filtration even after a long time of use.
As the name implies, this type of fuel filter is fitted on the chassis of the vehicle near the fuel tank and is mostly used for petrol-driven vehicles. These fuel filters have two openings from opposite sides, one for the inlet and the other for the outlet. These fuel filters can even come with a bracket, which makes mounting easier. Removing and refitting this type of fuel filter is easy and does not require any special tools.
These types of fuel filters are mostly found in diesel vehicles and some old petrol vehicles. They can either be fitted on the engine area or near the firewall in the engine compartment. In old diesel vehicles, when these fuel filters are changed, there is a plunger on the filter body which when pressed removes air from the system and pulls diesel from the tank. All new vehicles do not have this type of fuel filter. Depending on the make or model of the vehicle, there can be two filters known as the primary and secondary fuel filters.
These types of fuel filters are hard to locate as they are in the fuel tank. Modern vehicles do not have fuel filters fitted on the chassis or on the engine, but these fuel filters are found in the fuel tanks of diesel and petrol vehicles. The fuel filter can be integrated or separate in the in-tank fuel pump. These fuel filters are placed below the electric fuel pump and, if removed, can be cleaned with recommended cleaning materials. Removing and refitting this type of fuel filter is not easy, as many parts such as a seat and top cover have to be removed.
There are different fuel filters that use different materials for filtration. It can be synthetic or natural. But the most used in today’s vehicles are Microglass and Cellulose type filter materials.
Microglass is a synthetic filter material that gives better filtration for finer impurities. The spores on this type of filter are smaller, which makes the filter more restrictive because of this the working period of a micro-glass fuel filter is shorter than that of a cellulose filter. The Microglass fuel filters are used for the filtration of low-sulfur diesel, biofuels, and ethanol mixed petrol.
Cellulose filters consist of plant-based fibers which are mixed with resin and are made into a special type of paper that is used for filtration. This type of fuel filter is used in petrol and diesel fuel systems. They are less restrictive and will allow an adequate quantity of fuel even when the filter is clogged to a defined level. Having such property, these filters have a longer service life and do not require changing for a long period.
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What Should I Look For When Buying A Fuel Filter?There are many fuel filters in the market which can be confusing as some fuel filters are vehicle specific, so finding one that is meant for your vehicle is necessary for a perfect fit. Finding the right size of fuel filters is critical as the performance and fitment can also be affected by it and may cause fuel leakage. Modern cars come with in-tank fuel filters which can be hard to remove. This is not the case for many older model vehicles, as they have easily replaceable cartridge-type fuel filters. In such cases, you have an option for aftermarket fuel filters which can be universal and can be fitted to any vehicle.
Vehicles can run on any fuel filter, but the important question is, will it filter the fuel properly and survive the long run with no maintenance? There are many trusted brands in the market, and a trusted name will always help you save in the long run. This guide will help you choose the best fuel filter. In the below section, there are many top brands with their features to choose from which can suit all your needs.
This is the most important work which has to be checked and confirmed properly. Small fuel leakage can cause a big problem. Every fuel filter is connected to a metal or rubber pipe with safety clamps. It is always necessary to replace the clamps when a new filter is placed and also the rubber pipes should be checked for cracks or damages. Some fuel filters kit has all the required clamps and rubber hose which make the fitment leak proof.
It is necessary to know the micron rating of a fuel filter. The micron rating describes the filter’s capacity to lock contaminants of a specific size. A fuel filter’s micron rating always refers to the size of the pores in the filter material. The larger the pores, the higher the micron value. A micron rating of ten microns will filter contamination of size ten microns and above.
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How Much Should I Pay For A New Fuel Filter?There are many types of fuel filters as in-line filters, filter cartridges, water and fuel separator filters, etc. some vehicles even have two filters, due to the material and make of your car fuel filters being manufactured. You can choose from a different brand or the same brand if it suits your wallet. Prices ranges are different and also vary from one brand to the other. Depending on the vehicle you drive, the fuel filter will cost you around $5 to $80. While the labor cost is only about $5 to $15.
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When Should I Change My Fuel Filter?The primary function of a fuel filter is to provide the engine with clean fuel. The fuel filters are very important components of the fuel system, and a damaged or blocked fuel filter will not provide a proper amount of fuel to the engine. If clean fuel is filled in the gas tank, the fuel filter will work, lifelong, but the fact is no fuel is clean and has more or fewer contaminations in them. The fuel filter should be replaced between every 20,000 and 150,000 miles. But it is a good idea to replace your fuel filter every two years or 30,000 miles. If your vehicle is old, it should be checked and replaced more often because the metal gas tank has more rust, dirt, and debris which builds up faster, clogging the fuel filter.
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Should I Buy A Standard Or Performance Fuel Filter?Performance fuel filters are a superb choice for drivers who wish to get the best for their vehicles. A standard fuel filter can get blocked up by debris rust and other particles found in fuel, which can even pass through the fuel filter entering the fuel system. Some standard fuel filters when blocked don’t deliver fuel at all, which can stall your car in the middle of the road. The performance fuel filters are bigger and have a few extra layers of filter paper, which makes sure no impurities are delivered to the engine. They even provide adequate clean fuel to the engine, even if they are blocked with any impurities. If you need more performance from the vehicle or need hassle-free service from your fuel filter, then performance fuel filters are an ideal option.
Shop Performance Fuel Filtersoday’s diesel truck drivers encounter all kinds of environmental challenges while on the road. You can have contaminants, allergens and other seasonal troubles in your vehicle even if you keep your windows closed.
Properly maintained diesel truck fuel filters help prevent diesel contaminant from entering your engine. They also benefit both drivers and trucks by providing a barrier for these contaminants from entering the vehicle. This help prolong your truck lifespan as well.
In this post, you will learn about the common type of diesel truck fuel filters that are on the road today.
Diesel oil filters are standard for any truck that runs on diesel and require oil to lubricate the pistons in its engine. The oil filter will help keep the engine clean and more efficient by removing used oil from the engine.
A diesel engine needs more oil to operate efficiently than a gasoline engine. This is why you’ll have to replace or change your truck’s oil filter more frequently than a passenger car.
Diesel fuel contains a certain amount of particulate matter (particulates) formed as byproducts of combustion when diesel fuel is burned. With a diesel particulate filter, you can keep up to 85% of the particulates, hydrocarbons, and higher levels of carbon monoxide that circulate through the engine.
A diesel particulate air filter removes particulates from the engine and helps reduce the level of smog and dirt in the air and reduce your emissions, which in some states is a necessary and required part of diesel truck ownership.
Keep your truck’s air filter clean by checking it about twice a year or more often if you use your truck for a lot of heavy hauling jobs.
Diesel fuel filters are specially designed to keep diesel from being contaminated. These filters help clean the fuel before it is sent to the engine.
The diesel fuel filter keeps larger particles of paraffin from entering the engine while allowing water to be extracted and let drain.
The heater inside the filter continuously melts paraffin (a kind of wax that can clog your engine’s valves) to prevent fuel clogs, and then the melted paraffin passes through a special fuel filter.
Your engine valves get clogged up. This causes your engine to not run properly, or it may grind when you shift gears. This is an indication that its time to change your diesel fuel filters.
Like the other two types of filters, you should check the diesel fuel filter and replace it when it’s getting dark brown, greasy and/or black and sticky.
If you are wondering or reading about what micron diesel fuel filter you need, below are suggestion that you can consider.
The role of the primary filter is to removes contaminants from the intake air that comes through the air cleaner. The smaller filter may be fitted after, or even inside, the larger filter. When choosing a primary fuel filter, make sure that it will remove particles that are less than 0.004″ or 10 to 15 microns.
The secondary diesel fuel filter is the second filtration device that your boat’s fuel will pass through. This equipment should be installed after the primary fuel filter and as close to the engine as possible to avoid contaminating the second filter.
Most secondary and final filters are designed to remove particles ranging from 0.00008″ to 0.0001″ or 3 to 5 microns.