You ’re heading down the interstate when you see an eighteen - wheelwright confluence into dealings . As you hit the gas a little to draw out before and give the hand truck some outer space , you feel your car shudder a bit . By the time you hand home , you ’ve forgotten all about it . A month afterward , however , your elevator car stall out at a blood-red spark . You wangle to start it up again and wilted home , but this time you ’re determined to find out what ’s lead on .
Numerous things could be make your automobile ’s job , but a clogged fuel filter is a likely perpetrator . In fact , a choked fuel filter can eventually keep your railroad car from running at all . While some manufacturer take that a fuel filter should last the life story of a car , many mechanics advocate you change the filter as frequently as every 12,000 miles ( 19,312 kilometers ) [ source : Chaikin ] .
Your car’sfuel filteris locate between the fuel tank and the fuel ticker . As the fuel ticker pulls fuel toward the locomotive , the fuel filter removes any impurities that could clog your fuel injector and keep your car from running swimmingly ( or at all ) .
If you ’re like many consumer , the dark saving might have you doing some mundane auto alimony employment that you would have left for the professionals in years past . So where does changing a fuel filter rank and file between set up a cigarette lighter and rebuilding an railway locomotive ? The answer depends largely on what kind of car you have . For some cars , the business is fairly simple , but for other railway car , the filter can be part of more complicated systems , requiring considerable expertness to change . In fact , the Car Care Council , a nonprofit governing body give to helping people properly maintain their machine , recommends letting a licensed pro do the work since fuel filters are often located in gruelling - to - reach areas [ seed : Car Care Council ] .
Read on to check about what tools you ’ll need for the business , as well as the basic behind changing your fuel filter .
Tools Needed to Change a Fuel Filter
Changing your fuel filter typically requires only some dewy-eyed creature like wrenches , sockets , screwdrivers and pliers . Of course , the specific tools you ’ll need depend on the way your fuel filter is attach to the fuel lines . For instance , if the fuel filter has threaded connection , you ’ll need an capable - terminate wrench or ratchet and socket to polish off the filter . If the filter is connected with clips , you may only need a pair of pliers to get the line done . A flashlight can be handy , particularly if the fuel filter is locate in a hard - to - reach area of the machine .
Depending on the gondola , you may also need special tools made just for removing fuel filters . For instance , some GM , Ford and Mazda cars have spring - dilute locking fuel filter connectors that require a " quick disconnect " tool to release . You ’ll in all probability need to confabulate a service manual or find detail about your car online to determine exactly what tools you ’ll want for the job . Lastly , keep some cleaning supply nearby to make clean up the work country once you ’ve finished .
Oh , and do n’t block to buy a raw fuel filter before you start the job . Fuel filters are made by a extensive variety of manufacturers and can be purchased at your local automobile parting stores . While a store attendant can help you find the right filter , you ’ll require to order the concomitant the specific year , make and model of your car or risk stupefy the wrong part .
Some plebeian manufacturers of fuel filters include ACDelco , Fram and Motorcraft . A newfangled fuel filter ranges in price from as small as $ 5 to upwards of 10 times that amount . Most filter should be under $ 15 dollars , however , make them a much cheaper option than replace a fuel pump down the route . It ’s deserving noting that not all cars have replaceable fuel filters . In such cases , the filter is built into the fuel tank , fuel pump or other assembly , meaning you or your mechanic will in all likelihood need to replace the entire assembly if the filter needs maintenance .
Preparing Your Car for a Fuel Filter Change
disregardless of how complicated the job may be , safety should always be your first priority if you resolve to take on the task yourself . Even if you ’re careful , change your fuel filter will release flammable fumes and small sum of fuel . Accordingly , ensure to work in a well - ventilated area and clean up any fuel tumble as quickly as possible . Ideally , you should substitute your fuel filter outdoors , since fuel exhaust fumes are heavier than air , they can gather in enclosed spaces and puzzle a fervency luck .
In add-on , tire out safety goggles and disposable nitrile baseball glove to keep gasolene from getting into your middle or being absorbed by your skin . Nitrile gloves are a routine more expensive than rubber-base paint gloves , but they offer much better protection from solvents like gas , making them idealistic for the job . And of row , do n’t smoke or work near open flames like pilot lights when you ’re make for on your car ’s fuel system . hold back a fervidness extinguisher nearby is a capital idea as well .
Depending on the location of your cable car ’s fuel filter , you may also ask to put your car on jack stands before you may reach the filter . If this is the lawsuit , put on your car ’s parking brake and set blocks against the wheels that will remain in contact with the ground . The last affair you require is for your car to start rolling while you ’re underneath it . ensure to consult your car ’s owner manual to decide the safest place to apply the Jack-tar . Once you ’ve got the railway car high enough in the air , put back the car ’s jack with jack stands . Otherwise , you ’ll be put at risk if your jack fail during the job . Once you ’ve safely put your car on jack stands , you ’re ready to remove the honest-to-god fuel filter . Read on to find out how .
Removing Your Old Fuel Filter
Fuel filter typically unite with the fuel origin in two topographic point , theintake sideand theouttake side , and the entire assembly is agree in place with amounting bracket . Your car ’s fuel filter can be located anywhere along the fuel line , meaning it could be at the back of the railroad car near the gas armoured combat vehicle , or under the hood closer to the engine .
After you ’ve located the filter , you ’ll need to assuage the pressing in the fuel line ; otherwise , fuel can spray everywhere , creating a safety peril and a Brobdingnagian mess in the process . you could relieve the fuel pressure a number of different ways , but a rough-cut method acting demand dispatch the fuse for the fuel ticker and execute the engine until it give out .
The next footprint is to disconnect the negatively charged terminal of your car ’s battery to downplay the chance of a spark igniting gas fume . Next , examine the fuel filter to check how the fuel crease is tie . In some cases , cartridge clip hold up the fuel line onto the filter . In other cases , " banjo bolts " or other specialized fastening connect the fuel line to the filter . check that to pay extra aid to any washer or atomic number 8 - rings on the joining assembly . While the replacement fuel filter will typically add up with young connecting ironware , you ’ll involve to recognise how everything gibe together when you add the new filter .
Before unplug the fuel lines , roll the filter in a towel to catch any fuel that spills out of the lines and filter . Once the fuel lines are disconnected , detach the filter from the mounting wall bracket and dispose of it .
Attaching Your New Fuel Filter
Now you ’re quick to put in the young filter . Most filter will have an arrow indicating the focussing fuel should flow through them , so make certain you do n’t instal the filter rearward . In some character , the fuel filter will only attach to the fuel lines in a certain direction , so putting the filter on feebleminded is n’t a trouble . Otherwise , you may demand to trace the fuel lines to see if they chair to the locomotive engine or toward the fuel tank in monastic order to determine the installing direction . substantially yet , check the pointer on your former filter before you take away it and set up the fresh filter the same means .
Once you ’ve fasten the filter to the mounting bracket , reattach the fuel lines using any young hardware include with the filter . You might be tempted to reuse cartridge holder that hold fuel lines to the old filter , but those clips will weaken over time and can create a poor seal between the filter and the fuel lines .
Speaking of fuel lines , take the time to jibe them closely ; if the lines are old and cracking , you ’ll need to replace them . Once the new filter is in place , simply exchange the fuel pump primer , reattach the negative bombardment pole and begin the locomotive . Your car might not get up right off , but do n’t be alarmed . The pressure in the fuel lines was released during the installation of the new filter , and you ’ll credibly require to judge to start out the motorcar several times before the press rebuilds and your engine can start .
After the elevator car is running , check for leaks , clean up any fuel that spilled during the induction appendage and pat yourself on the back for properly maintaining your motorcar ’s fuel scheme .
Keep read for more tips on taking good care of your car .
