I'm finding myself changing the fuel filter very often in the past 2 or three years. At first it was about every 4 months...then 2 or three months.... But this last time I changed it on December 28th. And just yesterday I noticed it bogging out on the freeway and it cut off at the light this morning. Gotta change it again. What's up with that?!?

 

It's taken you 2 years to ask for help? Wow. I can't tell you what's wrong, but here's a few things to consider.

When you change the fuel filter, is it really dirty? Does the problem really go away after you change it?
What type of gas do you use?
How are you fuel injectors? Have you tried a injection cleaner?

Just some ideas. Others may be able to help more.
Good luck.

 

are you getting your gas out of a muddy ditch?

 

Uhhh, lol.
maybe its not the fuel filter.
Just an option. =]

 

i'd find a new place to get gas

 

When I change the filter the problem goes away. Runs and idles perfect. My injectors are 6 months old. I always use a bottle of Lucas injector cleaner every oil change. And I usually use ARCO gas regular octane. and premium when I use the injector cleaner.

 

THREAD JACK IN PROGRESS!!!!

does changing the fuel filter really help with fuel economy? i only use plus grade gas and CHevron Techron. Mileage is good but i dont kno the last time its been changed.

 

i was untill i found out the guy was only dumping 87 octane, then i went back to the pump.


when i was rebuilding my bronco we had to changed the fuel filter weekly untill we figured out it was rust in the gas tank, one refinished gas tank later we were back in biz, only had to change it once after to get all the rust out of the lines.

CLIFFS, check for rust in your tank.

speaking of fuel filters when should they be replaced? Ive had mine in for almost 20k.

 

i was looking in the FSM and it kinda looks like every 60k but im not really sure if its even that soon

 

Are these things hard to change for your average shade tree mechanic ?

 

its not hard, kinda tight but doable, sometimes the rubber hoses seize up and are a pain to remove.

I remove the air box to get to the fuel filter. cut a bit of the fuel line and replace the filter.

 

^^^but does the gas come out dirty when you change it? also, try using 93 octane every time you put gas and i would say a better gas station. i'm assuming the "ARCO" gas is equivalent to our VALERO gas here in south texas, theres one in almost every corner and probably cheaper but the gas is still crap. try using shell or chevron (i mainly one put in shell V-power, 93 octane) and try using the 93 octane.

maybe be like someone mentioned, you may have a dirty/rusty gas tank or even your fuel pump acting up and about to give out?
i probably would change the fuel filter every three four years or around 80-100k miles. if your not sure how long the fuel pump has been on the car, i would suggest to change. my car had 200K on it when i bought it and it had the original fuel filter. that was one thing i always replace when i buy a used car regardless. its only $15-$20 fix...
^^^when you replace ur feul filter put brake or power steering fluid around the tips before putting the hoses on. this keeps it from seizing to the hose and makes it a little easier to take off next time around. dont worry, the fluid wont mess up you gas or gas flow...

 

Yeah 60k is reasonable. Mine is up to 90k and it's obviously way overdue. Being the middle of winter I'm not in a hurry to get that job done.

Agree on the rust thing. Just let some of the gas that comes out of the bottom of the filter drain into a white paper towel and if there is rust you'll see it easily.

To change it is not wildly difficult. Depressurize the fuel system (search for methods) first. Work over a very large catch pan or gravel since you will spill some gas.

I remove the intake and airbox to make it easier to reach. On ABS-equipped cars you'll have a harder time reaching without removing some things. Use a short stubby screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps on the filter and spray some penetrating oil or WD-40 right at the end of each hose. Now use a pliers and gently twist back and forth at the very end of the hose and let the oil work in between the rubber and filter nipple. Once it's worked in it should not be difficult to pry the hose off. A short flathead screwdriver can really help to get the hose moving off.

Replace with new filter. Reassemble. Put the key in the ignition and wait 20sec before cranking.

As far as good / bad fuel - octane has nothing to do with possibility of rusting. The car needs higher octane to run well but that's another matter. If your tank is rusting that's another problem and something that needs fixed unless you really like changing fuel filters.

Dave

 

Maybe for some reason you have a lot of crap in your fuel tank that is causing your filter to clog. No other reason I can think of, other than maybe your filter does not like the Lucas treatment. I'd stop doing that immediately, and see what happens.

 

Sounds like an ex-girlfriend botched the sugar trick.

You must be a bad guy.



I kid.

Paper towel + remnants flowing out of bottom of fuel filter, check for rust as someone stated...

Open your tank and look inside. I did for the first time just a couple of weeks ago.... It was SOOO cool. Great visuals.

Perhaps that was the fumes. Either way, wicked cool.

-t

 

I change mine every 30k regardless of it's shape. And I use a 1995 Nissan 300ZX filter.

I'm VERY **** about maintenance on my car. I'll replace parts that aren't necessarily broken if it's been a long time (like PCV valves, spark plugs, etc.) I have set mileages I change them out in.

 

It's not technically difficult, but because the space is tight and the hoses get sticky, it can be difficult to remove. Just go to the auto parts store and buy 1.5 feet of fuel line hose for $2 and cut off the old hose. You'll save yourself at least 20 minutes of grief.

 

wow never heard of this

 

after tearing up my knuckles that is the best free advice I have heard.

 

I agree with "crap in the fuel tank". Access your tank under the back seat and take a fuel sample from the bottom of the tank.

 

don't use regular gas on a maxima. regular gas is almost water these days.

 

whats the differance?...

 

300zx filter has a longer change interval, it's got more filter element in it. no performance difference, just a longer interval between when it is scheduled to be changed.

 

What he said ^^

 

run premium gas ALL the time. Don't waste money on injector cleaner. If you maintain the car properly (and that includes using premium gas), then you'll never need to clean out your injectors, or swap your fuel filter so often.

My 99 has over 340,000km on it and I've never run injector cleaner through it. It runs and idles just fine.

 

I can't believe you have been dealing with this problem for so long. I highly doubt using regular is the issue. Do you religiously run the tank down until the light comes on? I can bet you that you have debris at the bottom of that tank, and if your running it down that low it isn't helping the case.

 

stop using arco.

 

"premium" grade fuel is strictly an octane rating. Octane affects one thing: engine knock. The maxima ECU will retard timing and adjust performance if it detects knock. It will not affect how the fuel runs through a filter nor it's tendency to clog an injector.

Dirty injectors are a separate matter and have nothing to do with the octane of the fuel you use.

David

 

if you see the gas station fueling up DO NOT get gas there

when the big tanker trunks are filling the underground tanks it kicks up the dirt,if any that has settled to the bottom

 

They all also have prefilters in those tanks and filters at the pump.
That isnt an issue these days.

 

yea now that you mention it, it was an older man who told me this information

 

my dad does this religiously and now i can help but skip those stations for a few hours

 

Dirty fuel filter = dirty fuel
Multiple fuel filters, lots of different fuel. Common denominator is the fuel tank.
Seems like a no brainer.

 

Being that these are both caustic fluids I assume this "relaxes" the hose so it doesn't have it's death grip on the filter nipples? As long as it relaxes and doesn't make the hose loose I could see doing it.