Fuel Filter replacment question...
08-06-2012, 06:06 PM
#21
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,645
My mother's Mini Cooper (2003) had a lifetime filter. When doing a tune-up for her, I ended up replacing it which required removing the rear seats and pulling the fuel pump assembly, much the same as doing it on the Mustang.
I can tell you that it was one dirty filter. Whether or not it was causing any performance issues, I don't know. The car certainly runs smoother, but I also did plugs, wires, etc. I can say that I'm glad I replaced it, and for 30 mins of work and 25 bucks, I didn't lose any sleep over it.
I'm not saying technology hasn't changed enough to allow for a lifetime filter . . . but when you think about what it does, it's designed to be a wear/tear/replace item. Unless the quality of fuel has changed, stuff WILL get into the tank. And unless the size or ability of the filter to store those contaminates has increased/changed, it will get into your fuel system.
Criticize Ford all you want, but I never anticipated a fuel filter becoming a lifetime part, and certainly don't mind the small investment to keep my car going. If you truly want something with almost 0 maintenance, go electric.
I can tell you that it was one dirty filter. Whether or not it was causing any performance issues, I don't know. The car certainly runs smoother, but I also did plugs, wires, etc. I can say that I'm glad I replaced it, and for 30 mins of work and 25 bucks, I didn't lose any sleep over it.
I'm not saying technology hasn't changed enough to allow for a lifetime filter . . . but when you think about what it does, it's designed to be a wear/tear/replace item. Unless the quality of fuel has changed, stuff WILL get into the tank. And unless the size or ability of the filter to store those contaminates has increased/changed, it will get into your fuel system.
Criticize Ford all you want, but I never anticipated a fuel filter becoming a lifetime part, and certainly don't mind the small investment to keep my car going. If you truly want something with almost 0 maintenance, go electric.
08-06-2012, 08:29 PM
#23
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MD/WV
Posts: 5,736
Ford says my rear diff and manual trans fluid are lifetime, but I say to hell with that! I believe some of the Focus models have lifetime air filters, but if I had one of those I'd switch it out for aftermarket.
08-06-2012, 11:56 PM
#25
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: California
Posts: 1,495
08-07-2012, 11:37 AM
#28
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 417
08-07-2012, 02:36 PM
#29
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,491
If you're a fan of lifetime fuel filters, would you also be a fan of lifetime oil filters or lifetime air filters? I'm not, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that Ford going with a lifetime fuel filter does NOT impress anyone who's ever changed a fuel filter and seen what comes out of them.
08-08-2012, 05:55 AM
#30
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 88
my honda civic's fuel filter is built into the fuel pump and never needs replacing.
IMO, having a seperate fuel filter is better. and it only took me 10 minutes to change so no big deal.
having a seperate filter and changing it every 30k miles or so means you are running cleaner gas through the engine vs a car that doesnt change the filter.
just bc you dont need to change it doesnt mean it works any better.
IMO, having a seperate fuel filter is better. and it only took me 10 minutes to change so no big deal.
having a seperate filter and changing it every 30k miles or so means you are running cleaner gas through the engine vs a car that doesnt change the filter.
just bc you dont need to change it doesnt mean it works any better.
What that means is that when there is an issue with the filter, you will be changing the fuel pump.
I think changing the filter must be too difficult for the ones here whinning about replacing a $15.00 filter every 30,000 miles.