When to change the fuel filter: the timing and features of the replacement

Many novice motorists are often interested in the question of when to change the fuel filter. It is important to know what it is. This element cleans gasoline before the latter gets into the cylinders of the engine. Clean fuel is the reliable operation of the machine.

What does the filter protect?

It's not a secret for anyone that fuel at our gas stations is not of high quality. The gasoline contains sand, rust, metal scale - all this settles on the filter. If these substances get into the motor, the main parts will wear out much faster.

As a result, the owner will receive the need for major repairs. In addition, oxidized sulfur, or rather sulfuric acid, which is formed during the combustion of fuel, has a harmful effect on metal surfaces. A normally functioning fuel filter completely captures various dirt and dust, condensation, rust, impregnations of paraffin. You can not use a dirty item. And if the car owner thinks about whether to change the fuel filter, or to clean the old one, you definitely need to change it. If you ignore the regulations, problems with the car will not take long. The stable start of the motor is broken, damage to various elements of the injection system is possible. The clogged element entails carburetor clogging, increased fuel consumption, and engine power drop.

Varieties

The period when it is necessary to change the fuel filter, also depends on the features of a particular part. Some elements have a high service life, while others have to be changed very often. All existing filters in the automotive market can be divided into two types. This is submersible and main. The submerged element is often located in the body of the gasoline pump and, together with the sediment, is placed in the tank. There are models where the possibility of replacing the filter is completely absent. The main cleaning element is located on the fuel line between the power unit and the gasoline tank. In addition to the installation site, the filters also differ in the type of fasteners. On most models, a standard set of wrenches and screwdrivers is required to perform a replacement. Some elements can be dismounted by hand without the need for a tool. And sometimes manufacturers mount it on a special fastener.

Then, for dismantling, you need the same special tool. Because of this, car owners have a need to turn to professional service stations more often.

When is the replacement obvious?

The fuel filtration system has two levels of purification. One of them is coarse (to remove large particles), and the second is thin. This thin element is most often located between the engine and the tank. Experts, answering the question, when to change the fuel filter, say that the replacement should be carried out every 60,000 km of the car run. Clogged cleaning elements, as already noted, can lead to disastrous consequences. For example, as a result of filter clogging, there is a significant load on the gasoline pump. He can quickly fail, namely, to burn, working "on dry".

The car can be trojed, stunned or even refuse to wind up. In addition, the dirty filter affects the operation of the automatic transmission - the electronic system of the automatic box incorrectly interprets the motor commands. Switching occurs not in time or the automatic transmission does not switch at all. Test, in what condition the fuel filter, can be at a low speed. When you suddenly press the gas, the car should pick up speed. If jerks appear instead of overclocking or the engine refuses to gain momentum, then it is necessary to replace the filter urgently. Often at the very beginning of the appearance of the problem, there are no signs of its presence in the car. And only when the fuel completely ceases to be fed into the power unit, the owners think about the problem and strenuously search for the cause. How much should I change the fuel filter? For each car, this is the procedure and is listed in the instructions.

Terms of replacement

All modern automakers for their cars are installing fairly accurate replacement schedules for consumables. So, on the average, it is recommended to replace the cleaning elements every 40-50 thousand km. These figures are relevant for gasoline engines. On diesel engines, filter replacement periods are shorter.

Filters submersible type for cars Ford brand can be changed less often - every 70 thousand km. On Ford Focus replacement can and does not hold. The manufacturer equips the car with an unattended element that can work without replacement during the entire service life. But it's all about foreign cars. But in the case of domestic cars, the timing is slightly different. Information for those who do not know, how many to change the fuel filter on our machines: this must be done every 10-30 thousand km. This is due to the low quality of the fuel. But even here it's not so simple. If you take advantage of the official recommendations of domestic automakers, you can simply not get to the maintenance. Owners on profile forums often tell that at small runs the filtering element looks as if through it passed not gasoline, but at least oil. Experienced experts and motorists with experience recommend not to look at the instructions, but listen to your own car. The engine itself will tell you how often you need to change the fuel filter.

The replacement timing for popular cars

For VAZ-2114, 2107 and other classic models, the frequency of replacement is 30 thousand km. The same period for "Renault Logan". The "Reno-Megan" filter is more durable - it can be used for as many as 120,000 km.

On the "Daster" and "Kengo" with diesel engines, the term is small - only 10 000 km. On the "Toyota-Camry" resource element is 80 000 km. "Nissan-Almera" is equipped with a filter designed for the entire life. And those who do not know, through how many it is necessary to change the fuel filter, refueling Russian gasoline, it is necessary to divide these figures by 2.

The consequences of using a car with a clogged fuel filter

Many car owners do not think and do not see anything wrong with the operation of cars with dirty cleaning elements. However, this is very dangerous. It is worthwhile to consider possible malfunctions in more detail. And then everyone will decide for themselves whether to change the fuel filter or you can do without it. First, the dirty filter element can no longer cope with the cleaning of the fuel. So, some of the contaminants go further along the fuel system. Further, the fuel mains are often clogged up, and the injectors are also clogged with them. As a result, the engine can not normally eat, and it is under heavy load. Fuel that has not been cleaned well enough will not burn completely. The combustion products that settle on the walls of the combustion chambers will accumulate on the valves.

This increases the risk of overheating and leads to improper operation of the engine, and ultimately leads to major repairs. The fuel consumption is associated with the psychology of drivers. When the filter is dirty, the motor loses its power noticeably. The car does not want to go, but the driver presses on the gas more and more. The injector will inject even more fuel into the cylinders, but nothing will change, only the consumption will increase. That's why it's so important to know when to change the fuel filter. After all, even the replacement of injectors (and this is the smallest) is much more expensive than a new cleaning element.

Fuel filter for diesel engine and its features

Diesel and gasoline are significantly different. Diesel fuel contains water condensate, and it has various pollution. Therefore, the main difference of such a filter is the ability to retain water. It has a harmful effect on the motor. At best, only efficiency and power will drop. In the worst, a hydro shock will occur - this is a major overhaul.

How often to change the diesel filter

As for the service life of the cleaning elements for such power units, they are lower when compared with analogues for gasoline.

Automakers officially recommend replacing every 30,000 kilometers for imported engines, and even then with high-quality fuel. And in the case of domestic fuel, this period can be divided into three. By and large, the car itself will tell by its behavior when to change the fuel filter. This will be the most correct periodicity.

Summary

The engine for efficient operation requires quality and clean food. If gasoline with sand or metal scales comes into the cylinders, major repairs are ensured. It is necessary to change all filters in time, and then the machine will serve its owner for a long time.