AdvancedAutoCC
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2004
- Messages
- 381
- Location
- Cape Coral, FL
- Corvette
- '96 coupe (Torch Red), '85 4+3 coupe (flat black)
6speeder said:This is a 'bump' for some very good professional advice.......
If you experience a clogged fuel filter, you might want to open the filter and determine the source of the contamination, rust, water, etc.... Keep in mind that there is a filter/strainer attached to the fuel pump in the tank that can, also, be clogged, restricting fuel flow. A clogged filter is the secondary cause of fuel problems; contaminated fuel being the primary cause. So, if you continue to experience a clogged filter, you might want to check your tank for corrosion, water invasion, and you might want to change your fuel supplier. A simple check for the 'flow' condition of the filter is the periodic use of a fuel pressure gage. Any drop in pressure would indicate potential filter or pump problems. Here is a inexpensive gage link: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/quickfpg.html
While this is very good advice, remember that the design of modern fuel injection systems dictate using a high-pressure rated fine media particulate filter. During the normal course of operation, the oe design filter will pick up small particles (that's the job it does), and these particles accumulate over time, much quicker than the factory maintenence schedule allows for. The maintenence schedule dictates replacement at 30,000 mile intervals, but real world experience has shown a filter can be clogged at 10,000 miles. NO gas station has completely filtered fuel coming out of the pumps, but some are better at keeping their fuel clean than others. The factory fuel tank is lined to prevent corrosion from contaminating fuel, and any rust particles you get out of the tank indicates water intrusion leading to fuel sender corrosion (very remote possibility, but it still happens). Likely, it's where you're buying your fuel as stated in the above post. The bottom line: Replace filters every 10K miles, without exception.