Over 50k miles? Change your fuel filter!

[Matticus91]

I changed my fuel filter today and OH MY GAWD.

When I took the old one off brown stuff came pouring out of it. I couldn't believe how dirty it was. I strongly suggest changing your filter if you are over 50k miles. I actually felt a difference in the way the car felt after the change. Pretty scary! Makes me want to stick to high quality gas stations from this point on.


My next maintenance move is spark plugs. Any other recommendations?

Car is currently at about 67k miles.

I already cleaned my CAI filter. I also need to change my oil so I might seafoam it right before I do that.

[mrnoodley]

I am often surprised by how many people don't change their fuel filter. I get 2-3 cars a month that barely run and people can't figure out that it's the filter they haven't ever changed.

Sometimes they've been chasing the problem, changing plugs, coils, etc. I've even had other mechanics say the filter can't be the problem, because they checked fuel pressure at the rail. Sure, it's fine at idle, when fuel flow is low, but under load, the filter restricts flow and pressure drops.

I do see it in Fords often. I had a Navigator I picked up at auction a few years ago. It barely ran, sounded like it was running on 3-4 cylinders at best. It went over the block barely running. All the other dealers were scared of it, they weren't bidding. I wound up buying it cheap, tossed a new fuel filter in and it ran like new. It had the original filter in it with 120k on the odo.

CN: Yes, change your fuel filter.

[mustang585]

Yeah its definitely a looked over maintenance item. You might want to run a good fuel injector cleaner through the tank too.

[GT800]

im preety dedicated to changing my fuel filter every 30k its what they told us to do at wyotech so im pretty set in my ways

[98blackgt]

plugs,wires,cap,rotor,pcv valve.

[GT800]

cap and rotor? now we are talking a little old school huh?

[mustang585]

Originally Posted by gt/cs07

cap and rotor? now we are talking a little old school huh?

yeah don't forget to set the points

[GT800]

hahahaha lets get some lead for the gas and the hand crank for the starter while we are at it!

[mustang585]

And dont forget to pump the gas before you go to turn the key lol

[Stangman Jonathan]

Originally Posted by mrnoodley

I am often surprised by how many people don't change their fuel filter. I get 2-3 cars a month that barely run and people can't figure out that it's the filter they haven't ever changed.

Sometimes they've been chasing the problem, changing plugs, coils, etc. I've even had other mechanics say the filter can't be the problem, because they checked fuel pressure at the rail. Sure, it's fine at idle, when fuel flow is low, but under load, the filter restricts flow and pressure drops.

I do see it in Fords often. I had a Navigator I picked up at auction a few years ago. It barely ran, sounded like it was running on 3-4 cylinders at best. It went over the block barely running. All the other dealers were scared of it, they weren't bidding. I wound up buying it cheap, tossed a new fuel filter in and it ran like new. It had the original filter in it with 120k on the odo.

CN: Yes, change your fuel filter.

Hmm I think I have to change mine again, all the cheap gas in the F150 is probably messing it up sooner than 15k (don't think it has that much but I am having an issue with power under acceleration when I'm already doing highway speeds.....) - thought it was the cai or throttle body but i cleaned them and it's still acting up once in a while...not sure what common f-series issue that may be yet.