How often should a fuel filter actually be replaced?

Question

I'm not really sure if a fuel filter is something you routinely replace, or only when you have problems. I have a '93 accord, I've put about 50K miles on it and never changed it, who knows when it was replaced last.

I was also wondering, is there a way to check, and or clean it to figure if it actually needs replacing?

The only reason I even wonder is because I seem to be getting an intermittent fuel delivery problem, it happens so infrequently that its hard to diagnose, but once it stalled, every once in a while it wants to crank about 15 times before starting, and sometimes (maybe once or twice a week, usually the same day), I'd be driving and the engine would suddenly cut out real quick, just enough to give a good jerk.

So I figure the fuel filter might have something to do with it. Either that or the pump every once in a while acts up. I'm pretty sure its not an ignition problem.

Answer 1

Some how I doubt that the fuel filter is causing that. But they are cheap enough, I think. Just change it and see what happens. If the fuel filter were clogged enough to starve the engine why would it ever start again? If it were restricted enough where the engine used just a little more than could pass through, then it would stop frequently. If you are convinced that it is fuel starvation, then I would guess there is debris in your fuel tank. I think the fuel pump and filter are located back there anyway. I think I would run the tank down to a couple gallons and pull the pump and filter. Be sure to have a container large enough to catch the amount of fuel in the tank. Flush the tank with fresh gasoline and if you find no debris, then put it all back together again. If you do find debris, then clean it all up and put it back together again.

Answer 2

On your Honda, I suspect it's a fuel problem, not an electrical problem.

However, you should always do the simplest, least expensive thing first.

1. Check to see if you have cap and rotor; if so, check the cap electrodes to see if there has been wear by the rotor that spins in a circle and touches each electrode to produce a spark. If you see any wear in the electrode(s), such as a gash in the middle of them, this means that your cap is shot and you need to get a new cap and rotor. Whenever you replace the cap and rotor you should also replace the plugs and fuel filter as well. If this makes a big difference in how it runs, then all you needed was a tune up. However, if this doesn't do the trick, then on to the next difficult, next costly thing to do.
2. If you do not have cap and rotor, but have electronic fuel system, you need to make sure that your fuel injectors are not dirty. Some additives at your local auto store do not work, so be sure to purchase a product that is fairly expensive. Put the required amount in your gas tank and run a tank through. If this does not clear up the problem, then I suspect one or more oxygen sensors are plugged and are not telling the computer the correct ratio of gasoline to oxygen to give the injectors. Your symptoms sound again like fuel problems, not electrical problems. If you replace the oxygen sensors, the plugs, the cap and rotor and put injector cleaner in it and still have the same problem, you may be looking at a more expensive and time consuming problem: injectors need to be professionally cleaned and/or replaced; or your fuel relay or fuel pump need to be professionally looked at.
3. You need to have a technician check and clean your fuel injectors;
4. Have a technician replace your fuel relay. However, I have never replaced a fuel relay on a Honda, ever. Yours may be the first.
5. Finally, have a technician check the fuel pump; if it starts at all, it's probably not the fuel pump. If the fuel relay is shorting out, it will reset itself after a few cranks and the car will start again. If it stalls in traffic, it is probably the relay. When you crank it after it stalls, do you smell fresh gasoline? If so, it is probably your fuel injectors and/or oxygen sensor(s).

Good luck to you. If you have a good Haynes manual, you can do most of this work yourself.
4. If it is not your cap and rotor, not your fuel relay and not your fuel pump, then
I believe that your cap and rotor are bad and need to be replaced, along with your spark plugs and e. The

Answer 3

I checked my trusty Honda manual and lo and behold, no change interval was listed for the fuel filter. If clean gas is always used they might last forever, however, I doubt it. A new filter at O'Reilly Auto Parts runs $12.99 to $17.99. That is a small investment compared to worrying what is causing the problem. Change the filter. It may not help your problem. but it certainly can;t hurt anything with your mileage.

Answer 4

on average the fuel filter should be replaced every 30K. if you take the old filter off you can check it put a paper towell or rag over the end where the gas goes into the filter and blow through it you should be able to blow through it very easily without any resistance if you have to blow hard definatly replace it either way if you don't know when filter was last changed and you have 50K on vehicle I would change the filter. hope this helped

Answer 5

It is good to change ur filter every time u do a tune up on ur car. but if ur car seems like it is getting gas the right way it wont hurt to not change it. I have hard that if u change it then u will get better mpg's. ffule filters do not cost a lot so i would go ahaed and change it. There is no way to see if ur filter is clean or not with out changing it. I thank u r right on ur cars cutting out. it most likly is ur filter. I had a car do the same thing