In order to function properly, the engine needs a sufficient supply of clean fuel. A fuel filter helps achieve this by trapping dirt and other contaminants before they can enter the engine. Over time, however, it’ll collect too much dirt and interfere with the flow of fuel. You’ll need to replace it before it starts causing problems for your vehicle.
To help you determine if your fuel filter needs replacing, here are common signs to look out for:
This is one of the most common signs of a blocked fuel filter. Turning on the ignition causes the fuel pump to send gas from the tank to the engine. However, a dirty fuel filter will block the fuel, preventing it from reaching the engine and preventing it from starting.
Even if you successfully start your car, there’s still a chance for the engine to perform poorly. Your car struggles to accelerate because the dirty fuel filter inhibits gas flow, preventing the engine from getting enough fuel.
Without enough fuel, your engine is also likely to idle rough. The low fuel pressure can also cause your engine to lurch or misfire.
This is likely to happen while you’re driving at high speeds, going up an incline, and similar other scenarios where your engine will need more fuel. Unless you want your car to suddenly stall while you’re in the middle of traffic, you should replace your dirty fuel filter as soon as possible.
Poor fuel economy is another one of the most common signs of a bad fuel filter. When the engine doesn’t receive enough fuel, the powertrain control module (PCM) increases the fuel input to compensate. This causes the engine to burn more fuel than necessary.
Have you smelled anything unusual lately, such as a strong gas odor? If the answer’s yes, then you might be dealing with a dirty fuel filter. When it prevents fuel from reaching the engine, all that unburnt fuel escapes through the exhaust system. This can cause your cabin to smell strongly like gas.
In some cases, a strong gas odor can also point to a fuel leak or other issues in the fuel system. Whatever it is, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.
As its name suggests, the fuel pump pumps gas from the fuel tank to the injector or carburetor. A dirty fuel filter forces it to work harder to supply enough gas to the engine, and all that extra strain causes the pump to make noise. If this goes on for too long, the added stress can also cause the fuel pump to fail.
A dirty fuel filter is also likely to trigger the check engine light on your dashboard. Low fuel pressure, an increase in emissions, and other similar issues are all red flags to your PCM. As soon as it detects any of these issues, it’ll turn on the check engine light to warn you.
A fuel filter is specifically designed to prevent natural impurities, debris, and other contaminants found in gas from entering the fuel system. All that dirt can damage components such as the fuel injectors and cause the entire fuel system to fail.
As the fuel filter does its job, it’ll naturally collect many contaminants over time. This is why most manufacturers recommend replacing the fuel filter every 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Unfortunately, some people might forget to replace their fuel filter, causing the particles to clog the filter and prevent it from doing its job.
The best way to check your fuel filter is to ask a mechanic for help. However, if you’re confident in your skills, consider these helpful tips on how to tell if your fuel filter is bad:
If you blow into the inlet and find that no air is passing through, then the filter is likely clogged and needs replacing.
The exact cost will vary depending on several factors, such as your vehicle’s year, make, and model. However, the average cost of replacing a fuel filter ranges from $90 to $142, including labor. If you plan to replace it yourself, you can expect to spend anywhere between $10 and $920.
When you bring your car in for its regular maintenance, your mechanic will also check if other filters need replacing. Here are other filters you should also inspect:
As its name suggests, the engine air filter captures dust and other contaminants in the air that could damage the engine.
Automatic transmissions come with a filter that keeps dirt and other debris from entering and harming the hydraulic system.
This allows you and your passengers to breathe clean air by filtering dust, pollen, and other particles from the air before they can enter the cabin through the vents.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.