Updated at: 04-04-2022 - By: micdot

A well-kept vehicle with easy starting and smooth operation is coveted by all. When your car’s check engine light comes on or its engine misfires one day, what would you do? You may have a blocked or defective filter. Continue reading to learn more. If you’re looking for an expert on this subject, you’ve come to the right place. On our website, you may find out more.

You wouldn’t drink water from a creek unfiltered, would you?

That being said, what exactly is going on?

Mostly because it’s typically infested with pathogens!

It’s the same with car fuel, which is luckily filtered before entering the engine. An obstructed or defective fuel filter can cause a variety of problems. The most common indicators that you need a new gasoline filter are issues starting the engine, a check engine light, or a decrease in performance. In addition, you may experience stalling or misfiring of your engine while attempting to increase your speed. For $50-$150 at a shop, or approximately $15-$60 if you do it yourself, you can replace it. Fortunately, each of these signs and symptoms will be examined in depth in this guide. In order to assist you understand why you need to change a clogged fuel filter, we’ll go through the basics of how a fuel filter works first.

Let’s begin with the basics!

List of Chapters

How A Fuel Filter Works

Using the fuel pump, gas is pumped out of the tank and into the fuel lines. The fuel filter may be in the middle or at the end of your system, depending on its layout. It’s the job of the gasoline filter to keep the remainder of the system safe from injury by screening out hazardous contaminants. Injectors are used to deliver the gasoline to the combustion chamber. These inject a precise volume of gasoline into each cylinder’s combustion chamber. After arriving, the mixture is ignited by combining it with oxygen. This results in the movement of the pistons, which in turn generates power for the engine. The cartridge and spin-on fuel filters are the two most common types of fuel filters. Metal housing houses spin-on fuel filters, which simply screw into place. In order to replace the cartridge gasoline filter, all that has to be done is remove the filter cartridge from its fixed, protective housing. Fuel filters should be replaced every two years or 30,000 miles as a general rule of thumb. However, if you have a newer vehicle, you may be able to extend this to 60,000 miles or more. For the greatest results, have an oil pressure test performed every time you have your oil changed by a professional. Consult your owner’s handbook to determine the recommended PSI range for your particular vehicle. Let’s take a look at some of the indications that indicate that the gasoline filter needs to be replaced.

Signs You Need A New Fuel Filter

Signs You Need A Fuel Filter Replacement | Sun Devil Auto

Your Car Has Trouble Starting

The alternator, a dead battery, or faulty spark plugs can all cause an engine to have trouble starting. However, it could also signify that the combustion chambers are not receiving enough fuel. To determine if your fuel system is clogged or if your fuel pump is malfunctioning is to do an air pressure test. However, a blocked fuel filter isn’t going to be the first indicator of a non-starting engine. Check to see if it’s related to any of the following signs and symptoms. Otherwise, you’re in luck since fixing the other problems that are keeping your engine from starting would cost you a lot more money.

The Check Engine Light Appears

The “check engine” light can be a love/hate relationship for most car owners. Of course, this implies that a repair cost is not far off, but it also ensures that things do not become worse and cause serious harm. There are countless possible causes for the check engine light to come on. It’s fortunate that many contemporary vehicles have built-in pressure sensors that can alert the driver if the gasoline system is malfunctioning. There are various ways to figure out what’s wrong. If you have an OBD2 scanner, you can read the code yourself. The second option is to pay a shop to utilize their OBD2 scanner, which normally comes with a diagnostic cost. There are several auto parts stores in your area that will perform this service free of charge.

Your Engine Stalls

There are three common causes for an engine to stall: a shortage of fuel, power or air. As a result, it should come as no surprise that your engine may stall if not enough fuel is being delivered to it. As long as there is still petrol in the fuel lines, your engine should be able to start. When you’re going up a steep incline or accelerating, you’re going to require a lot more gas. When towing a heavy weight, the engine needs to work harder, needing more gasoline, which is the same when driving alone. Stalls can be caused by a variety of factors, so be on the lookout for any of the other signs listed here.

The Engine Misfires

When an engine misfires, a step has been skipped due to a mistake in one of the combustion chambers. Misfiring engines can be caused by a variety of factors, including damaged spark plugs, faulty ignition coils or a defective camshaft sensor. However, since the fuel filter is located before the fuel injector, it is not possible to directly inject the fuel. It can also cause the engine to misfire if it is disrupted for any reason. This is especially true when you’re stepping on the pedal, towing a weight, or travelling up a steep hill, and your vehicle isn’t up to the task. As the engine skips a beat, it will typically feel like a jerk and a delay in power delivery.

You Notice A Decrease In Performance

5 Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Filter (That You Should Never Ignore) | The Motor  Guy

Fuel filter failure can also cause a reduction in engine power. Acceleration, towing a load or making a steep ascent are probably the most visible times when this occurs.A paucity of gasoline to the injectors triggers a restriction of power by the engine control module (ECM). However, this does not necessarily indicate a clogged gasoline filter. Please note that some of these symptoms may be related to one other.

Cost To Replace A Bad Or Clogged Fuel Filter

In the end, replacing a fuel filter is a rather inexpensive task, especially if you’re confident in your DIY skills. Expect to pay between $50 and $150 for a filter, or between $15 and $60 for the filter alone, at a store.Fuel filters can be replaced easily, but it does require a certain level of expertise. Take it to a shop if you don’t already have the necessary tools. Check out the video below for step-by-step instructions if you decide to tackle it at home.

Final Thoughts

No one appreciates having an automobile that’s having a difficult time keeping up. It’s better to face it head-on than to avoid it.You should have a fuel pressure test done if you’re having difficulties starting your automobile, it stalls, or if an engine light comes on. Alternatively, you can use an OBD2 scanner to find out if the problem is in the fuel system or not.