If your fuel filter is clogged you will have low fuel pressure, which may lead to an engine misfire as well as rough idling and cause additional problems to your engine. If you notice a sudden drop in fuel efficiency. Many times it is due to a clogged fuel filter and impurities entering your engine.
A decrease in fuel efficiency, a check engine light, and sputtering when you accelerate are some of the signs that you may need to replace your fuel filter. Learn more about how to know when your car needs a new fuel filter here.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency: A clogged filter can lead to inefficient combustion, resulting in lower fuel economy. Engine Damage: Prolonged driving with a clogged fuel filter can cause damage to the fuel pump and injectors, leading to more expensive repairs.
If you have a clogged filter, replace it before causing complete engine failure. A clogged fuel filter will cause error codes. The ECM will throw a lean air-fuel mixture or misfire according to the trouble codes.
A fuel filter is a very affordable part to replace. The average cost for a replacement is $70 to $150, depending on the type of filter and the cost of labor. We recommend changing the filter before you start noticing the signs above.
Generally, you can expect your car's manufacturer to recommend you to change the fuel filters once every 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Since this is a wide range, you'll have to look at your owner's manual for the most accurate fuel filter replacement intervals for your vehicle's make and model.
A common sign of a clogged fuel line is difficulty starting your car. If you turn the key and nothing happens, or if the engine sputters and dies, there's likely something wrong with the way fuel is getting to the engine. This is caused by a lack of fuel reaching the engine, and it can be caused by a clogged fuel line.
Benefits of Changing Your Fuel Filter
A clean fuel filter ensures that only clean fuel is delivered, helping to maintain optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. Regularly changing the fuel filter can prevent poor acceleration, decreased power, and other performance issues related to fuel impurities.
Fuel pump filters are often not designed to be removed and can be cleaned without taking them out. Just grab a small brush, give it a good dusting, and if there are stubborn bits, use scotch tape to lift them off.
Unable to pass fuel through the bubble stuck in your system, typical symptoms include difficulty starting the engine, reduced engine power after starting, and, in severe cases, the inability to start the engine.
Newer vehicles can drive about 60,000 miles before needing a filter change, but filters may need to be replaced every 30,000 miles if your vehicle is older. If you put off a filter change for too long, you can risk engine failure because the fuel pump needs to work extra hard to overcome the dirt-clogged fuel filter.
Signs of contaminated fuel include;
“Engine Check” light illuminated. Sickly sweet smelling exhaust fumes. White powdery residue in the tailpipe and or spark plugs.
To remove carbon and other types of buildup from your vehicle's fuel injectors, you must use a high-quality injector cleaner. There are hundreds of cleaners on the market today. While there is a difference in fuel system cleaners, any cleaner that you use at 100% strength is apt to do a good job.
The fuel filter replacement cost averaging between $10 to $70 for most commercial vehicles. If you are able to DIY yourself, you will save up on the labor or installation cost. On the other hand, if you drive to a garage, then you will need to add in the installation / labor cost.
Recognize unusual fuel tank noises, struggling car starts, and engine sputtering for signs of a malfunctioning fuel pump. Unexpected stalling and power loss during heavy loads or inclines can also indicate bad fuel pump symptoms. Regular maintenance is essential to avoid costly repairs in the future.
Replacing the fuel filter is something that you can do yourself if you are confident working with car engines and components. If not, you should get a fuel filter changed at your local garage by a professionally trained mechanic.
Having a filthy or clogged air filter might cause your car to struggle to accelerate at a typical rate. If you drive the car on a daily basis, you may not notice the change in performance immediately. However, with time, you may find that the car takes longer to accelerate.