FAQ: Fuel Filters

It's a funny thing - given the amount of auto fuel (gas and diesel) made, and where it comes from (underground) the stuff is amazingly free of filth. On the later model Rivs, the fuel tanks are plastic (no rust), too. So what does a fuel filter do?

One is that it traps very, very fine particles. This is important for our fuel injectors, whcih have teeny pintles that almost atomize the fuel squirted thru them. Don't want to clog an injector by adding microgrit to the gum/varnish residue that builds up anyway.

Another - perhaps the biggest one - is that the fuel filter traps organic contaminants. If you cut open a used fuel filter and find a slime on teh intake side, that's organic stuff. Some of you may have taken a fuel pump out and found slime on the intake screen. That's organic contmainants, too.

Still another is that some fuel filters are designed to trap water as well - I am told that some have separators that set the water aside, while others just trap it in the filter media (I don't know whether or how that works). Your tank will build up, over time, a puddle of water in teh bottom from condensation. One way to get rid of this is the occasional bottle of dry gas (Heet). I have not used any for that purpose in years. Last can of dry gas I had, I used to help clean brake parts (that were not very dirty in the first place).

Finally - there's a chance to put contaminants in the tank every time you gas up. What the fuel strainer does not trap, the fuel filter will.

With this context, it's not clear to me which fuel filter is 'best.' Here is something interesting about fuel filters, including a cutaway picture of a used one:

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b7/msgs/61753.phtml

Maybe factory /OEm is the say to go.

Albertj

Since I already had the Purolator filter on hand I used it.
The one that I removed was AC Delco, it looked like it might have been the original, 77,000 miles.
Hopefully the Purolator filter will be just fine, I guess my original question should have been would the Purolator filter be more restricitive than the AC Delco, thats the only way I can see it might not be good for the car...

Thanks for all the replies.
Bert

From:http://www.regalgs.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50118&highlight=
The guys at ClubGP are using a fuel filter from a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Flex Fuel vehicle instead. The flex fuel filter is a much higher flow filter compared to our stock filters (12 microns vs 17 microns). High flow filters are expected to help reduce KR, esp in 3rd gear, according to ZZP. I'm going to order one!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1424258,parttype,6200


Will this work on the 99 Riv ?
Any of youse guys tried one?

Thanks

Bert:tavis:

You had best make sure there is no reason the filter is 12 microns. For instance, GM for a time was using special pintles on fuel injectors, with very small holes.

Albertj

Bert, I'd stick with an AC Delco fuel filter. It flows plenty for a mostly stock application. I doubt that filter flow is a limiting factor in getting enough fuel in your situation. I emailed ZZP last year about their hi-flow fuel filter, and Zoomer told me don't bother unless you are highly modded.

1998 Riv wrote:

Bert, I'd stick with an AC Delco fuel filter. It flows plenty for a mostly stock application. I doubt that filter flow is a limiting factor in getting enough fuel in your situation. I emailed ZZP last year about their hi-flow fuel filter, and Zoomer told me don't bother unless you are highly modded.

Very Good then, thanks.
The car is bone stock so I will stick with the AC Delco.
Got to get one to replace the Purolator that is on the car...

Bert:tavis:

ibmoses wrote:

1998 Riv wrote:

Bert, I'd stick with an AC Delco fuel filter. It flows plenty for a mostly stock application. I doubt that filter flow is a limiting factor in getting enough fuel in your situation. I emailed ZZP last year about their hi-flow fuel filter, and Zoomer told me don't bother unless you are highly modded.

Very Good then, thanks.
The car is bone stock so I will stick with the AC Delco.
Got to get one to replace the Purolator that is on the car...

Bert:tavis:

What's wrong with purolator?

Joe, I think he's just doing maintenance since the car is new to him and who knows when the filter was changed last. Otherwise a Purolator should be fine too.

1998 Riv wrote:

Joe, I think he's just doing maintenance since the car is new to him and who knows when the filter was changed last. Otherwise a Purolator should be fine too.

Right, what I like about the purolator filters is that they have the production date right on them and can give you a general time of when the filter was last changed. Everything I gather about purolator is that they make a good filter.

dlclarkii wrote:

The guys at ClubGP are using a fuel filter from a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Flex Fuel vehicle instead. The flex fuel filter is a much higher flow filter compared to our stock filters (12 microns vs 17 microns). High flow filters are expected to help reduce KR, esp in 3rd gear, according to ZZP. I'm going to order one!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1424258,parttype,6200

I'll be picking one up while I install my new fuel pump. Just thought I'd share.

I need help finding the fuse box so I can depressurize the fuel system to change the fuel filter. Could someone please tell me how to depressurize it?
Thanks

You can unscrew the cap to the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Use a rag to a screw driver to depressurize the line. I have changed the filter without depressurizing before. it doesn't spill out as much as you'd think.

Ok. Thanks! So do I have to use a special wrench to get the filter off? Or can I use something different?

jordynarz wrote:

Ok. Thanks! So do I have to use a special wrench to get the filter off? Or can I use something different?

no special tools required...just a wrench. But I dont know what size off hand.

I use a pair of line wrenches like this one to break loose the filter from the line:



Be gentle. If it's stuck, spray some PB blaster on and soak for 1/2 hour. On the other end there's a plastic connector that can be disconnected by hand or with a flat screw driver.

It's not a bad idea to have a clean rag or fire extinguisher close by in case of a fire. Be careful not to drop wrenches or pound on anything when fuel is present.

OK! Thanks for all the help! I will remember that when we change it. We deicided not to change it today. We couldnt even get the back sprk plug wires changed. This clip holding the wires in is weird. theres no way to undo the clip.

This is a Series I SC engine, correct?

yes

dude just need to take off your gas tank cap
i changed my fuel filter last week
just got a little gas on me from the lines

I'm changing mine next week.

Oldsman....Did you put on the Chevy Tahoe filter? How did it work out for you?

anyone know what size wrench I need for this? it seems to fit a 13/16 but theres alot of play...is it metric? and do I have room to use a cresent wrench?

Chicken wrote:

anyone know what size wrench I need for this? it seems to fit a 13/16 but theres alot of play...is it metric? and do I have room to use a cresent wrench?

There are special wrenches for the fuel and brake line fittings. I think they are called flare nut wrenches.
A good investment, get them at Sears or NAPA amonst other places...

Bert

Multiple fuel filter threads have been merged. Please read through again... and someone do a write-up already!

sigh....I guess I'm up.....

I'll do a write up w/ pics.....