There are a variety of reasons why more and more vehicle customers are opting for diesel engines. Diesel engines are the most fuel-efficient internal combustion engines on the market, and they have a number of performance advantages. However, all cars require maintenance, particularly the diesel filtration system. Owners of diesel vehicles may not be aware of when their fuel filter needs to be replaced, so let’s look at a few frequent indicators that it’s time to repair it.
Difficulty starting: When a vehicle has trouble starting or won’t start at all, it’s one of the first symptoms that something is wrong. While there are a variety of reasons why an engine may have difficulties starting, a clog in the filtering system is one of the most typical. Fortunately, changing the filter is a simple procedure. If a vehicle’s engine has difficulties starting, owners should act soon or risk having a completely dead engine or one that dies in the middle of the road.
At low speeds, a vehicle’s ride can be shaky, but once it starts and moves, it normally drives smoothly. However, if a motorist notices their car struggle at low speeds, such as while pulling out of a driveway or after stopping at a stop sign, the filter may be blocked. The car may struggle to acquire enough fuel to accelerate at first if the fuel distribution is uneven and slow, but it will adjust at higher speeds.
Idling is rough: Idling should be pretty smooth when a vehicle is halted. It’s possible that the filter is blocked if the engine idles harsh and unstable. If the diesel fuel pumps can’t get enough fuel through, the flow will be reduced and the idle RPM will be low. Obtaining assistance from diesel fuel filter suppliers and replacing the filter should resolve the problem and allow the car to idle smoothly.
A maintenance guide should be included with every vehicle, indicating when various parts should be changed. While most diesel fuel filters should be updated every 10,000 to 25,000 miles, this depends on how often the vehicle is driven and how well it is maintained. As a result, diesel drivers should be aware of these warning signs in order to determine when it is time to update their diesel filtration system.
How long should a diesel fuel filter last?
Every vehicle, after all, is unique. The gasoline filter is sometimes installed in the car’s gas tank. Filters in gas tanks can last indefinitely without needing to be replaced. Every 5,000 miles, others must take it to a diesel repair shop. Depending on how you drive, how often you commute, and what type of vehicle you have, it is advised that you replace your fuel filter every 10,000-25,000 miles for most Diesel trucks.
The owner’s/maintenance manual for most cars will tell you how often you should change the gasoline filter. There’s a good risk your gasoline filter will become clogged with debris if you don’t change it when it’s recommended. As a result, it is no longer capable of filtering all of the gasoline. This might cause your car to not get clean fuel into the engine, causing damage to the engine and injectors over time, necessitating a trip to a Reno diesel repair shop.
More than only a damaged engine can be caused by a clogged fuel filter. You may notice a loss of overall power, a bogging in your vehicle when attempting to accelerate, and even decreased gas mileage. On top of that, you’ll have a damaged engine as a result of the tainted fuel. Our car’s fuel filters are critical, and we don’t want them to fail.
Do you need to change fuel filter on diesel?
When it comes to owning or maintaining a diesel vehicle, it’s crucial to understand how the engine technology differs from that of gasoline-powered automobiles. The changes have a substantial impact on normal diesel engine maintenance, such as what oil to use and how often filters particularly oil filters, air filters, and fuel filters are changed. Because diesel fuel is dirty by nature, it’s no surprise that the fuel filter is one of the most vital filters on any diesel engine. They typically need to be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, but a modern gasoline fuel filter can last 100K miles or more before needing to be replaced – if at all.
Most diesel truck applications will necessitate the replacement of two diesel fuel filters. The first is a pre-filter, which is located between the gasoline tank and the fuel pump commonly along the frame rail on the undercarriage. This filter removes any impurities from the fuel before it reaches the pump. The secondary filter is normally found beneath the hood in the engine compartment, and its job is to clean the fuel further before it reaches the injectors.
The following is a highly generalized breakdown of how to change a diesel fuel filter on a heavy-duty diesel truck successfully. Some aspects may alter significantly based on your application, and we strongly advise you to check the vehicle’s maintenance handbook for any inconsistencies.
1. If necessary, lift the truck off the ground to gain greater clearance.
2. Before doing this service, make sure the engine is turned off.
TIP: Changing a gasoline filter can be a dirty process. Place a large enough drain pan behind the filter to reduce the chance for a mess.
3. Remove a drain plug from the filter housing next. To loosen it up, you’ll probably need a hex tool or an allen wrench.
4. Drain the petrol from the fuel line and the filter housing.
5. After the fuel has drained into the pan, loosen the filter cap and remove it from the housing with a ratchet and socket.
6. The filthy fuel filter may or may not come out of the housing still attached to the cap. Remove it and dispose of it properly.
7. Next, remove the filter cap’s old O-ring. Using a pry tool or a flathead screwdriver may make it easier to remove.
8. Wipe down the filter cap and the housing’s sealing surface thoroughly. After that, put the O-ring that came with the new filter in place.
An poorly placed cap O-ring is one of the most common causes of diesel fuel filter leaks. As a result, make sure the replacement O-ring is positioned properly against the ridge all the way around the cap.
9. After that, replace the old filter in the clean filter cap. It should click into place and stay put.
10. Finally, tighten the cap to the manufacturer’s requirements with a torque wrench. Don’t forget to replace the drain stopper!
11. To release the cap on the second filter, which is normally found under the hood, you’ll need a square drive or socket.
12. Remove the cap by hand after it has been loosened, and then pull the dirty filter out of the housing.
TIP: To avoid a major mess, lift the cap slowly with the filthy filter still inside and keep it there for a minute to allow the petrol to drain back into the housing.
13. Wipe off the filter cap and sealing surface on the housing with a damp cloth, just as you did with the filter underneath the truck. Wipe down both the inside and outside of the cap, as well as the thread surface.
14. To remove the old O-ring from the cap, you’ll need to use a pry tool or a flathead screwdriver once more.
15. Just as you did with the other filter’s O-ring, ensure sure the new one is correctly positioned against the ridge all the way around the cap. When the cap is reinstalled, this will ensure that there are no leaks.
16. Replace the filter in the housing and hand-tighten the cap. Remember that fuel filter leaks can occur whether the cap is overtightened or undertightened, so use a torque wrench to finish tightening the cap to the manufacturer’s requirements.
You should bleed any air bubbles and prime the fuel system before driving the truck. This entails purging the system of any air that may have gotten in while the filter caps were removed and ensuring that the fuel system only contains diesel fuel. It’s a crucial step in preventing vapor lock, which occurs when liquid fuel is transformed to gas vapor before reaching the fuel rail. The procedure for priming diesel fuel varies from vehicle to vehicle, so consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
As previously said, diesel fuel is a naturally dirty fuel, therefore changing the diesel fuel filter on a regular basis is crucial to the engine’s best efficiency and longevity. The majority of diesel truck owners utilize their vehicles for important duties including towing, transporting, and plowing. For these drivers, the effects of a clogged diesel fuel filter can be very inconvenient, such as loss of power when driving uphill or when the engine is under heavy strain, such as when towing or moving large items.
If you’d like to see a visual illustration, check out this video of a 2017-2019 F250 Powerstroke diesel fuel filter change.
How do I know if my diesel fuel filter is bad?
The signs of a clogged diesel fuel filter can be seen in how the diesel engine starts and runs. When a diesel fuel filter becomes clogged, the engine will likely begin to idle rough and sound as if it is about to stall. This is especially true when the weather is chilly. Because there isn’t enough fuel getting into the engine’s fuel injectors, the engine may sound like it’s choking once it’s warmed up. A clogged diesel fuel filter can also cause engine sputtering, or losing out during acceleration. In this case, the filter has accumulated too much dirt and debris and is preventing enough gasoline from reaching the engine’s combustion chamber. Finally, whether or not an engine will start depends on how clogged the filter is. This means the engine turns over but does not start, acting as if it is out of gas despite the fact that there is plenty of gas in the tank.
What happens if you don’t change diesel filter?
A dirty fuel filter will rarely prevent your engine from starting unless it is completely blocked. The unclean fuel filter on a car that has never had its fuel filter changed might cause uneven fuel flow, resulting in longer than typical cranking before the engine starts. Filter replacement periods should be found in your owner’s manual.
How much is a diesel fuel filter?
The cost of replacing a fuel filter varies depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, whether the filter is in-line or in-tank, if the part is OEM or aftermarket, and the repair shop you visit.
Most of the time, a fuel filter is a pretty low-cost component. The filter alone can cost anywhere from $10 and $40 in most circumstances, however OEM parts can easily cost $50 or more. The gasoline filter is sometimes included with the fuel pump, and the total unit can cost anywhere from $200 to $500.
Typically, the labor cost exceeds the cost of the part. Most fuel filters can be replaced in within an hour, so expect to pay between $60 and $120 for labor. Some in-tank filters, as well as those that are part of the gasoline pump assembly, may necessitate more time in the shop.
The overall cost of replacing a fuel filter ranges from $70 to $160, which includes both components and labor. As previously said, there are numerous causes that could cause this price to rise. Don’t forget to include taxes and fees in your calculations.
You can save a lot of money by replacing the part yourself if you have some automotive repair experience and a decent shop manual on hand.
How do you know when fuel filter needs changing?
5 Signs That Your Fuel Filter Needs to Be Replaced
- The car is having trouble starting. This could indicate that your filter is half clogged and on the verge of becoming entirely blocked.
How often should fuel filter be replaced?
Your air filter should be replaced every 12,000-15,000 miles, according to most manufacturers. Because the average American drives 13,000 miles each year, changing the air filter once a year is usually the best practice. This is a simple task that may be done in conjunction with any other annual auto maintenance, such as installing winter tires or spring cleaning.
How Often to Change Fuel Filters
Fuel filters are a little more difficult to work with than air filters. Depending on the age of your vehicle, the fuel filter may need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles, which, given the typical American driving distance of 13,000 miles per year, is around once every year and a half to two years. Fuel filters in contemporary automobiles, on the other hand, can last up to 60,000 miles. The suggested mileage for your vehicle’s fuel filter may be found in the owner’s manual, and we strongly advise you to consult it to determine how often it should be replaced.
Can you clean a diesel fuel filter?
As your engine runs, the fuel pump draws fuel from the tank through pipes and injectors until it reaches the combustion chamber, where it is ignited. It’s a voyage that’s been meticulously timed and metered, with tight tolerances, intense heat, pressure, and friction. A gasoline filter serves a crucial function that cannot be overstated, and it, like any other filter, isn’t supposed to endure indefinitely. It will become filthy at some point and will need to be dealt with. So, what’s next?
Purpose of a Fuel Filter
Gasoline filters are used in fuel systems to remove and keep out contaminants such as debris that may enter during the filling process or rust that accumulates due to moisture inside steel components.
Because of the aforementioned tight clearances and high pressures, even minute particles can wear out and damage system components, resulting in leaks, reduced performance, premature failure, and costly repairs. Particulate matter is trapped and held in fuel filters, which protects against this. Most filter elements are constructed of treated paper and are classified according to the size of particles that can flow through them. Microns are used to measure these ratings. The filter element in the outer casing is frequently pleated to increase surface area and thus allow for more fuel flow as the engine requires.
Signs of Clogging
Unfortunately, when a filter becomes blocked and unclean, it contributes to the problem. A blocked filter can manifest itself in a variety of ways, but it all boils down to the dirty filter impeding fuel flow and depriving the engine of the oxygen it need to burn.
You may notice that the vehicle is difficult to start, idles rough, or accelerates slowly. In contrast, you may find that when you slow down to a stop, the engine struggles or dies. If the situation is dire, the engine may run out of fuel while driving or fail to start at all. You may also notice misfires and a general loss of performance, but many of these symptoms could be caused by other problems, so if you’re not sure how to identify a clogged filter definitively, pull codes with an OBDII scanner or chat with a specialist.
Refueling
The answer is a loud no if you want to remove a fuel filter and then clean it by rinsing or blowing it out before reinstalling it. Paper-element filters are designed to be replaced rather than reused, and using the incorrect fluid or air pressure might harm them or cause particles to lodge farther inside. Some fuel filters have metal elements that require special cleaning, and some diesel filters are bowl-type, which means they collect water and must be drained, but the vast majority of fuel filters simply need to be replaced when their service life is finished.
The lifespan of a filter is determined by the manufacturer’s recommendations, but if your car is older or consumes a lot of fuel, you’ll want to replace it more frequently. Fuel filters are a crucial component of engine maintenance, and they’re extremely simple to maintain. Replace them before they have an impact on performance or necessitate more extensive repairs.
NAPA Online has a comprehensive list of filters, or visit one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities for routine maintenance and repairs. Chat with a qualified professional at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS shop for more information on changing a gasoline filter.
How many fuel filters does a diesel engine have?
When changing the air filter on an adiesel engine, take one important precaution: always turn off the engine first. Diesel engines have extremely strong suction, and the air intake is directly connected to the engine. Because practically anything can fly or fall into it from nuts and bolts to your beloved hairpiece opening the cold aircollector box while the engine is running can cause catastrophic engine damage.
Most diesels feature two fuel filters: a “primary” filter between the fuel tank and the engine that cleans the gasoline before it reaches the fuel transferpump, and a “secondary” filter near the engine that cleans the fuel one last time before it reaches the fuel injectors. Both are normally simple to replace, and your owner’s handbook should include instructions on how to do so. Changing the oil filter on some diesels is similar to changing the oil filter on a normal vehicle: You unscrew the old one, wet the new one’s gasket with fuel, then screw it in place. Others feature replaceable cartridge filters; simply remove the old one and replace it with the new one.
