The replacement of fuel filter is a very routine car maintenance project. Difficulty in starting, lack of acceleration, fuel leakage, and noise from the fuel pump are all possible symptoms related to the fuel filter.
The main reasons for the above problems with the fuel filter can be divided into two categories: inferior products and installation defects.
One of the more common problems with inferior products is the use of unqualified internal filter materials. These unqualified filter materials may lead to insufficient fuel flow, causing the engine to have difficulty starting and reducing power output due to insufficient fuel supply. Additionally, the excessive resistance of inferior filter materials can increase the workload of the fuel pump, leading to increased noise from the fuel pump.
The metal housing of inferior fuel filters is also more prone to corrosion, and the manufacturing process is poorer, leading to a higher risk of damage. If the material of the fuel filter housing is corroded, the corroded area will gradually become damaged after a period of use. When fuel passes through the damaged filter, it may leak out due to pressure from the damaged area. Some inferior fuel filters have manufacturing defects in their housings that cause fuel leakage.
The connection interfaces of the fuel lines connected to the fuel filter usually use a combination of quick-connect, threaded, and rubber hoses with spiral hoops. Among these, the most commonly used connection method is the quick-connect, where the end of the hard plastic fuel line is equipped with a fixed clip. This clip can become jammed due to dirt accumulation, and if the clip is forcibly removed or installed, it can damage the locking mechanism. If the fuel line is not securely connected to the filter, when pressure is built up inside the fuel line by the fuel pump, the damaged connection interface may become detached or leak. Similarly, threaded connections and spiral hoops must be tightened with the appropriate torque to avoid leaks.
Fuel filters have an installation orientation, but some filters can be installed upside down and still function normally in the early stages of use. The installation orientation of the fuel filter is determined by the fuel flow direction. Once the filter is installed upside down, the fuel flow will damage the internal filter material structure, significantly reducing its lifespan. A filter that is designed to last 15,000 kilometers may lose its filtering ability after a short period of time if installed upside down due to the collapse of the internal filter material structure. Subsequently, fuel containing a large amount of impurities will enter the engine, reducing vehicle performance and causing wear and tear on the engine’s fuel lines and injectors.
