Car and Truck Fuel Filters
A fuel filter is one of the components of a combustion engine that ensures only clean fuel gets into the engine by ridding it of debris, dirt, and other contaminants. This filtering is crucial due to the high sensitivity of the fuel system to contaminants. They also maximize a vehicles performance since clean gas ignites more efficiently.
What are the benefits of a good fuel filter?- Clean fuel injectors: These spray gas to the intake manifold. They can get blocked or destroyed if there are impurities in the gas. A good filter can prevent such instances as well as prolong the life of other components.
- Maximum engine performance: This is the most noticeable benefit of having a good fuel filter since fuel systems have very minimal tolerance to gas impurities.
- Prevent engine misfires: Engines can misfire as a result of an incorrect air to gas mixture.
Your fuel system can accommodate 1-3 different types of filters as described below:
- Pre-tank filter: This is usually the first line of defense when it comes to contaminated gas. Situated between the fuel tank and the filter opening. It is a funnel-shaped aluminum or plastic strainer designed to sieve out large particles such as leaves, dust, dirt, or any other large debris.
- Primary fuel filter: Situated between the field lines of the carburetor and the fuel tank, these are of 2 types: a combination filter with a water separator and a standalone filter. The combination one is particularly useful when you live in an area where there is a possibility of a fuel-line freeze up.
- Secondary fuel filter: Positioned either close to the injection system or near the carburetor in an old vehicle, this is the last line of defense against impurities trying to make their way into the engine
The first consideration is the fuel flow rate. It is important to choose one specifically designed for the make, year, and model of your vehicle. Be sure that you get one that is similar in size or a bit larger.
Get a fuel filter with a vacuum cage; especially if you are in a cold area where fuel-line freeze up is common. Also, consider the surface area and micron rating of the filter. The micron size is the degree of the filter medias porosity. The higher it is, the greater the fuel flow. A smaller micron rating translates to smaller holes and thus higher filtration as well as fuel flow restriction. It is also recommended that the filter media should have a large surface area for more efficiency.