The good news about fuel filters.
If your fuel filter starts to play up, it can be bad news, because it causes loss of power when you press the accelerator at the most inconvenient times. The good news is that your fuel filter is one of the easiest things to check and replace. We’ll take you through it.
Check if your fuel filter is up to scratch with this step by step guide.
In addition to being easy to check, fuel filters are also pretty cheap. In fact the only real drawback in checking and replacing yourself is that you’ll need some help, given that someone will need to switch the ignition while the other checks the fuel delivery at certain intervals.
Step 1 – Find your fuel filter
On most vehicles your fuel filter will be in line between two sections of the fuel line, normally below the car not far from the fuel tank.
Step 2 – Check the paper filter
Some cars employ a clear plastic fuel filter which lets you see the paper filter inside. If the paper is dark brown (not tan or golden brown) or there is any sediment in the filter, it needs replacing.
Step 3 – Retrieve the fuel line
Loosen the hose clamp on the fuel line which runs into the fuel filter away from the gas tank with a flat-head screwdriver, turning the clamp screw counter-clockwise a few times. Tilt the fuel filter up a small amount, then pull the fuel line off so the fuel in the filter doesn’t spill.
Step 4 – Check the fuel line
Put the end of the fuel filter over a glass jar, ask your assistant to engage the emergency brake and place your vehicle into neutral. The ignition should be turned on just to the first position, where the power comes on but does not start the engine so you can observe the rate at which the fuel goes into the jar.
Step 5 – Check the fuel filter
Loosen the hose clamp as per “step 3” above. Hold the hose at a slightly upward angle and pull the filter from the hose to stop spillage. Hold the end of the fuel filter over the glass jar while the ignition is turned to the fist position again by your assistant (i.e. power but no engine start). Observe the rate that the fuel comes out of the fuel filter... if it is even a small bit slower than the rate it flowed from the line directly off the tank, the filter is dirty and needs replacing.
