My stock filter had 160K miles on it, so I went to the dealer today and got a new filter and O-Ring. The guy at the parts counter was surprised that they even had one in stock since he has never sold one before. Anyways, got it home and swapped it out with my stock one in about 20 minutes, would have been less but I could not unclip the filter from the sending unit assembly so I had to cut the clip apart to get it off, besides that it was relatively easy.


I first noticed that the car started up quicker, almost as noticeable as when I changed out my stock 140K mile starter for a brand new one... well not quite but it was noticeable enough to mention.


Took the car out for a drive real quick and I noticed improved throttle response. Along with better acceleration, more like when I first bought the car 4 years ago.


Also I feel I should mention that my WOT 1-2 shifts feel better, once again more like when I bought the car. I am guessing that this is because the car is not "starving" for fuel at the top of the gears with the new filter.


I haven't really driven the car enough yet to mention any improvements in fuel economy. When this tank is done I'll fill up an see what kind of "improvements" I can see as to my MPG. Lately the car has only been getting 19-21ish MPG, whereas when I first purchased the car it was getting 25-28ish MPG.


In any case I say it was definitely worth the little bit of time and little bit of money that it took. I am sure that I will get that money back rather quickly with any improvements in my fuel economy.

 

i have always doubted that the filter gets bad enough to make that much of a difference. if it did, nissan would consider it a maintenance item.
i guess you would have to test the injectors before and after to see it really makes a difference.
but as long as you are happy with it....

 

it's probably just your mind. That screen is hudge and it will take a handfull of sand to plug it up.

 

The screen is actually not that big at all. My screen was full of crap too, so I blew it all out with an air compressor and it was nice and clean when it was reinstalled.

 

The guy at the parts counter said something about you are only supposed to "rinse" the filter out rather than change it, I kinda chuckled at that. I would rather spend a little bit of money than rinse my FUEL filter with WATER. I don't know, it just doesn't seem right to me, lol.

 

If the fuel filter does get bad enough, it will limit fuel flow. If you buy good gas you generally don't have problems though.

 

I changed mine the other day at 79k and noticed no difference. I did it for the hell of it..my car runs fine and still pulls >30mpg on the highway.

 

I changed mine at 100K and I am glad it was changed. It was loaded with crap inspite of our gases running 15% ethanol which incidently is a good cleaner.

As others said there was no change in drive/feel/performance. The only hardware that would have been happy is the pump (with better flow) and increasing the longetivity of the injectors.

 

With these cars that's not entirely a bad thing.

 

LOL, poor man's timing adjustment?

 

Just an informative post for those interested
injectors are not affected by fuel restriction or weak pump. They don't suck gas they just open for 4 ms at idle. More gas just mean more milliseconds.
ex: Hard accel open 12-18 ms each 4th stroke of that piston, while at decel if in gear it's running full lean ex: 1 ms open only. so volume same just time length is different
So if you guys want to save gas when decelling to a stop leave it in gear as the engine is "turned" by wheels turning and it will run full lean meaning no gas almost at all to keep the engine turning.
Now in the same time if you leave out of gear it is idling and has to give some gas ie 4-6 ms open to keep it turning

I bet u didn't know this one though: at idle it burns more gas than cruising at 2000 rpm and on gas.
-idle 4-6 ms (more fuel to cool down the cylinder for emission purpose by cooling down the cylinder by running ritch) engine running lean runs hotter that's why lean condition is more dangerous than ritch
-2000 rps 2 ms.
so another reason to leave it in gear
I was told this at training and couldn't believe it and had a look myself at the consult readings.

 

Just another reason to be PO'ed at Arlington's crappy traffic light timing. I just love stopping at lights when there is no cross traffic and know I find out how much it can hurt mileage just sitting there for no damn reason.

 

Turn your car off then...starting your car requires less fuel than sitting there for 10+ seconds...=profit to me

 

I meant no pig rich found =

 

Stopping at red lights where there is no cross traffic is one of the most infuriating experiences - especially when it happens several times on one road. I have seriously considered changing my profession to become a traffic engineer to fix the ridiculous lights around here.

 

Well said, in my town we have some side streets that have been tuned to turn on for no apparent reason -- really sucks to stop for > 10sec when there is nothing happening at the intersection. I complained to the county services and they haven't done anything about it, I guess they don't have time for this kind of electronic misbehavior/silicon bugs.

 

WHAT? i just went for my 60k tune up and they told me that my 5th gen didnt need to change the fuel filter cause its in my gas tank and its usually not changed inless i am having problems? True?

 

it is not a required maintenance item per Nissan........ it is true , you can change it if you like but not necessary. I have to change mine 145K with the factory one.....

 

Back on topic please. Take the global warming discussion to OT or PM.

Here, made a thread if y'all want to discuss it more...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=557619

 

well the fuel filter argument has been beaten to death for years......nothing new in this thread

 

Eh... it was a somewhat civil and construction discussion, so it can stay for now.

 

Does the o-ring for this normally cost $20? I was going to do it, but after they parts guy rang me up, I said forget it; I'll see what Dave B has..

 

how much did all the parts run you OP?

 

I went to the stealership... but after taxes and everything I payed $32 and some change... $18.something for the filter and $12.01 for the O-Ring.

 

thats not bad, ill check prices in vancouver.

 

Haven't gotten around to running a tank threw this filter yet, but I have already gotten about 30 miles more out of this tank since I switched it at almost half tank than I have been getting on the old filter. I'll find out just how much fuel economy I regain once I run a full tank threw the car with this new filter.

 

A write up with pics would be nice, if you could.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...29&postcount=5

 

At what speed? If I drive 60 mph using CC, I get 28 tops. All highway.

 

wait... so all those times that when i see the light turn yellow, and me sticking it neutral...and coasting to a stop...

was hurting my MPG.... instead i should leave it 3rd or 4th... and let the engine braking bring me done... and i should do better?

 

yup basicly during that time you would save on fuel

 

here we go...

you care about gas so much...buy a different car