Worst Fuel Filter Ever!

[So Cal Mark]

An 81 Spider was towed in with a no-start. Someone had just installed a new fuel pump and couldn't get the car to start, so they sent it to us. While checking to make sure the pump was connected properly, I noticed the filter had not been changed. After verifying no fuel to the injection rail, I removed the filter. Since I couldn't blow through it, I cut the end off to see what it looked like. Here's what I found;


Needless to say the car got a new tank and injector cleaning along with a new filter. Fired right up!

[131]

Obviously replacing the pump was based on a sound diagnosis.

[klweimer]

Nasty!

[spider2081]

Interesting there have been a lot of posts about dirty fuel tanks and filters lately. I change my fuel filters every spring and usually drive my Spider between 4 and 5000 miles a year. I know that is moire often than necessary but I consider it preventive maintenance. I also have a free flow filter before the pump. I don't know the age of the pump but it was on the car when I purchased it in 2003 and I have driven it over 40,000 miles. I cut my filters open each time I change them. The one before the tank sometimes has a little stuff it it. So far the one after the pump has never had anything detectable to the eye.
I can't imagine changing a pump and not changing the filter.
How often do most of you change your fuel filters???

[AriK]

Every spring. (carb) I used to find some fine sand sediment in the early years but in the last couple of years nothing much visible.

[divace73]

why would anybody replace the pump only and not the filter as a minimum??

[klweimer]

'82 FI, cleanable fuel strainer just past the fuel tank, Wix pre-filter in front of fuel pump, regular filter after fuel pump. I typically check the strainer at least once a year, pre-filter and post filter probably every other year. 3-5K miles per year. Cheap insurance.
Kirk

[TimpanogosSlim]

Interesting there have been a lot of posts about dirty fuel tanks and filters lately. I change my fuel filters every spring and usually drive my Spider between 4 and 5000 miles a year. I know that is moire often than necessary but I consider it preventive maintenance. I also have a free flow filter before the pump. I don't know the age of the pump but it was on the car when I purchased it in 2003 and I have driven it over 40,000 miles. I cut my filters open each time I change them. The one before the tank sometimes has a little stuff it it. So far the one after the pump has never had anything detectable to the eye.
I can't imagine changing a pump and not changing the filter.
How often do most of you change your fuel filters???

The fuel injected '80 money pit i just bought had been fitted with carburetor style filters before and after the pump. I haven't tried to start it yet but i have low expectations of the condition of the injectors.

A good FI type filter should last something like 40,000 miles on a modern car with a poly gas tank (Assuming you aren't buying gasoline from random kids standing by the side of the road with buckets or something) but on an old car with a steel tank that is probably rusting a bit internally i suppose it's anyone's guess.

There's certainly no harm in replacing it more frequently. It's not that expensive.

It might be informative to cut them open and see what things look like on the inside. I paid about $40 for a specialized tool that cuts open spin-on filters like a no-sharp-edges can opener. It wouldn't be that difficult to modify it to accept filters that have a hose barb sticking out the end.

[divace73]

=
The fuel injected '80 money pit i just bought had been fitted with carburetor style filters before and after the pump. I haven't tried to start it yet but i have low expectations of the condition of the injectors=.

Usually the carby filters are not designed for high pressures, I'd recommend using the designated FI filter after the pump, then any filter before the pump should not restrict flow, our pumps need fast moving fuel to keep the cool.

[jagonza]

I had a plugged fuel filter, I use the see through type for obvious reasons.

When i removed the input hose this dripped out. I believe it was residue from bad hoses. Replaced all the hoses, the old braided type are hard to know when they are bad.

Luckily my tank had a drain plug so it was easy to drain and flush out.

I use a filter near the carb and a strainer between the tank and pump.

[TimpanogosSlim]

=
The fuel injected '80 money pit i just bought had been fitted with carburetor style filters before and after the pump. I haven't tried to start it yet but i have low expectations of the condition of the injectors=.

Usually the carby filters are not designed for high pressures, I'd recommend using the designated FI filter after the pump, then any filter before the pump should not restrict flow, our pumps need fast moving fuel to keep the cool.

Right. My guess is that the filter installed after the pump has a torn element.

I've already installed the appropriate FI type fuel filter.

[Turbofiat124]

In one photo it looks like it's clogged with sand and in the other photo it looks like a grease trap!

I had a similar issue and jumped to the same conclusion one time with my Yugo. I was coming home and the engine just died. After the car sat for a minute it restarted but the fuel pressure gauge showed no pressure. I carefully drove the car home. I initially though the fuel pump had failed simply because the first fuel pump I installed died in less than 1000 miles. But Advance Auto replaced it.

I thought I'd cut the filter in half and see what was inside:















My guess the rust inside the housing is where water settled. The funny thing is last time I looked inside the tank is was clean and not rusty. So I have no idea where the rust came from. Unless it's just stuff straight out of the pump at the gas station.

Take a look at this filter, do you notice anything odd about it?





This came off my lawnmower. It was the second filter I replaced in the spring. The reason: the filter became saturation with water and would not let gasoline to pass through it.

My guess was water condensed in the fuel tank over the winter and after I made several loops around my yard, the filter became blinded over.

The second filter I used (in the photo) was actually usable after it dried out.

The solution was to run what gas was in my fuel tank and the remainder gas in my 5 gallon gas can through one of those "Mr. Funnels" which filters water and debris. Once I did that, I had no more trouble with filters blinding over with water.

By the way, I was using 100% gasoline, not E10 so water contaminated gasoline is the same no matter how you look at it. Any water that get's into the fuel will sink to the bottom whether it's 100% gas or E10. The only difference is water will attract itself to the alcohol.