Any car works due to the transformation of energy that is released during the combustion of the combustible mixture. Thanks to the vehicle's power system, fuel, as part of the combustible mixture, enters the cylinders. To ensure proper operation of this system, the fuel must be free of various impurities, as they can cause the power system to fail. Also, mechanical impurities have abrasive properties, which threatens damage to some injector components.
If the car's power system is injection, then mechanical impurities can damage or bind the precision pairs with which gasoline is dosed in the car. Their breakdown, therefore, leads to the failure of the injector. The diesel power system is most vulnerable to the presence of mechanical impurities in the fuel, since precision vapors are also present in the high-pressure fuel pump. Consequently, any vehicle power system must be equipped with fuel filters, the main purpose of which is to clean the fuel from mechanical impurities.
Types and principle of operation of fuel filters
The fuel filter circuit in modern cars has at least two degrees of fuel purification - coarse and fine. During coarse cleaning, large debris is eliminated, after which the main, fine cleaning occurs. To find out where the fuel filter is located, you need to know the features of the fuel system and car model. But, its installation, in any case, takes place between the engine and the fuel tank. In most cases, the fine fuel filter is located under the hood, in the fuel tank or under the bottom of the car. The fuel coarse filter is located directly in the tank itself.
Rules for installing filtration devices
When using a multi-stage cleaning device, the first stage is always a filter that performs rough cleaning. When using several types of systems, first install a device with high micropressure.
If you install filters of different cleaning methods in the wrong sequence, they will not be able to fully perform the task.
It is not recommended to install filter devices in front of pumping equipment. The exception is strainers with approximately zero resistance, which protect the pump from large debris.
The use of any other filters - iron removers, softeners, etc. - will increase the load on the pumping station and cause its premature wear. Installation, adjustment and repair are carried out in the absence of pressure in the water supply.
Coarse fuel filter
The fuel filter device includes a housing, inside of which there is a reflector mesh. Using a paronite gasket, this element is hermetically sealed. At the bottom of the housing there is a sediment release valve, which must be periodically cleaned, which will prevent premature clogging of the filter. Passing through a coarse filter, the fuel is cleaned of coarse impurities before it enters the highway system. In some car models, an intake reduction valve is also installed, which controls the pressure level in the fuel system.
Replacement on different types of engines
Regardless of what make and year of manufacture your car is, you will need a standard set of tools to dismantle and install the filter element:
- open-end wrenches;
- screwdriver with a thin flat blade;
- pliers;
- WD-40;
- clean fuel container;
- rags.
How to remove a filter from a carburetor engine
The procedure is made as easy as possible by the fact that the filter is installed in the engine compartment of the car. That is, it is enough to wait until the engine cools down, and then begin dismantling.
Important! Before directly removing the part, you need to relieve the pressure in the system. To do this, remove the wiring harness from the fuel pump to stop the power supply. After which the engine starts and runs until it stalls due to lack of fuel.
The order of work after releasing the pressure in the fuel system looks like this:
- Open the hood.
- The filter itself is located near the brake fluid reservoir, near the carburetor.
- Unscrew the clamps securing the two hoses.
- Remove the fuel hoses from the sides. Fuel may leak, so it is better to place a container or a rag under the holes in advance.
Disconnecting the fuel lines
Accordingly, installation of the new element is carried out in the reverse order.
How to remove the fuel filter on injection car models
The work will be somewhat more difficult than in the previous case. On injectors, the part is located under the bottom, so you will first need to either drive the car into an inspection hole or jack it up high.
In this case, the precautions will be the same as when working with carburetor engines: before dismantling, you will need to relieve the pressure in the system. Further work is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Find the fuel pump in the center of the rear beam.
- It is usually difficult to unscrew the nuts the first time, so it is recommended to lubricate the joints with WD-40 first.
- After this, unscrew the two connecting nuts and remove the fuel pipes (place containers in advance to drain the remaining fuel).
- Remove the filter along with the rubber seals from the bracket.
- After which you can install a new one in the free space.
The main thing is to create comfortable working conditions
Fine fuel filter
This element serves to completely clean the fuel from impurities before it enters the injector. In some cases, a fine fuel filter is installed in the pump itself, or in the area of the fuel line. Its main feature is that it is non-separable, therefore, repairing the fuel filter is impossible. Its replacement is carried out entirely. Inside the filter housing there is a cleaning element, which is made of porous paper. The thickness of the cleaning element is approximately 10 microns, which is the maximum value for proper operation of the injectors and pump. When larger particles get into them, failure and subsequent repairs become inevitable.
Depending on the fuel system, different fuel filters are installed on the car. This is due to the fact that each fuel system has its own design differences and features. Therefore, the following types of fuel filters are used in modern cars:
- Injection;
- Carburetor;
- Diesel.
Due to the high sensitivity of fuel equipment, fuel filters for diesel engines must be of the highest quality. Since diesel engines contain a lot of moisture, such a filter is somewhat different from a gasoline filter. In addition to purifying mechanical mixtures, filters installed in the diesel power system must also condense and remove moisture from the fuel mixture. They are also sometimes heated, since diesel fuel contains paraffins, which crystallize at low temperatures and can clog the filter element.
Features of work
Such filters require regular replacement of working elements (membranes or cartridges). The operation of the device is based on the properties of various filter materials. Most often manufacturers use:
- sorbents;
- reverse osmosis type membranes;
- ion exchange resins.
The frequency of replacement of filter elements is strictly specified in the instructions included with the product. It is determined by two factors: service life and productivity (amount of filtered water).
How to determine if the fuel filter is dirty?
A clogged fuel filter is a fairly common problem in modern cars. A clogged filter causes many problems when operating a car - it does not allow the required amount of fuel to pass through, which is necessary for the engine to operate properly. As a result, problems arise with the engine, injectors and valves. The following signs of a forgotten fuel filter can be identified:
- Significant excess fuel consumption;
- The engine does not start well;
- The power and other characteristics of the car are significantly reduced; when climbing a mountain, it accelerates very poorly;
- In some cases, the car stops on its own.
These symptoms are typical not only for cases associated with a malfunction of the fuel filter, but also occur during malfunctions of other components and systems. If the problem is not with the filter, you need to pay attention to additional signs to determine the problem. The first symptoms of a clogged fuel filter, which occur when the filter is clogged, do not seem that important. But you cannot ignore them; you should listen to all changes in engine operation and periodically replace fuel filters.
When to change and how to install
The frequency of replacing the fuel filter is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions. This parameter can vary from 10,000 km to 70,000 km. If a star arrangement is used, the filter is replaced at least every 24,000 km. With “spiral” installation – from 40,000 km.
Installing the fuel filter in the direction of the arrow
There are also several signs that the filter is clogged:
- it is difficult to climb to a hill;
- there is a decrease in engine power;
- fuel consumption increases;
- engine operation becomes uneven;
- the engine stalls.
Also, a clogged fuel filter is often indicated by the “Check Engine” icon. You can read errors from the control unit using the Rokodil ScanX universal scanner.
Rokodil ScanX
Obvious clogging of the fuel filter will be indicated by errors associated with low pressure in the fuel rail, as well as performance indicators of the sensors responsible for the fuel supply.
If the fuel filter is intended for reusable use, it is disassembled and washed with kerosene or a carburetor flap cleaner. You can also pre-blow it with compressed air. Disposable models are simply replaced with new ones. The filter is installed along the arrow on the housing, which shows the direction of fuel movement in the system. It should go from the fuel pump to the engine compartment (engine). If there is no arrow, the output can be determined by rolling.
How to replace the fuel filter?
To replace the fuel filter, you will need common tools such as a wrench, screwdriver, and pliers. Depending on the location of this filter, other means may also be required. If it is snap-on, you will only need pliers to remove it. If it is located on the fuel line, then it has 2 fasteners, and the fuel filter assembly is also secured with a bracket. First, before removing the filter, you need to relieve the pressure to prevent fuel spillage. This can be done by pulling out the pump fuse, after which you need to wait until the engine stalls. After you have disconnected the fuel line, remove the filter by removing it from the bracket.
After completing the above steps, you can install a new fuel filter. It is important to install it correctly; to do this, you need to look at the case where the arrows are located to determine the correct installation direction. It is recommended to remember how the previous filter was installed and install the new one as well. This will ensure correct installation. The filter must be secured to the bracket, and then the fuel line must be connected using new fasteners that come with the filter. It is also recommended to check the integrity of the fuel lines. After this, insert the pump fuse and start the engine.
Model overview
Honeywell F76S ½ is a mainline model from a famous German brand. A mechanism for self-washing is provided. The device is equipped with a thin mesh filter. The manufacturer provides a one-year warranty for continuous use.
Unfortunately, there are often fakes on sale, the quality of which causes criticism. When purchasing, you need to make sure that you have documents with the manufacturer’s details.
Titan A380 is supplied to the market by a domestic manufacturer. A two-stage device with preliminary mechanical purification, equipped with polyfiber membranes and sorption elements. Installation of permanent flushing is possible. The product comes with a three-year warranty.
Detains all impurities, including iron. The manufacturer provides the possibility of washing the elements. For heavily polluted water, it is recommended to install a mechanical coarse filter after it.
"Cascade-duo" is an inexpensive domestic filter with two flasks. Performs mechanical and sorption cleaning. The main filter element is MAS mineral filler. Cartridges are changed once a year. Price from 4,000 rubles.
Vieir ½ is designed for fine purification of hot water. The device has a built-in pressure reducer. The brass body can withstand loads well.
Sources: sovet-ingenera.com; o-vode.net; econet.ru
How often does the fuel filter need to be changed?
Manufacturers of these components establish approximate service life. But, if low-quality fuel is used and the roads are in poor condition, replacement may be required much earlier, so it is recommended to look at the car’s mileage and the condition of the engine. replace it every 30 thousand km on diesel engines, and 60 thousand km on cars that run on gasoline. If the filter is not replaced in a timely manner, the likelihood of failure of not only the fuel equipment, but also the fuel pump, as well as the units that are responsible for starting the engine, increases. Therefore, it is very important to replace it immediately after the first signs that the filter is clogged appear.
It should be remembered that the condition of the car and its components depends on the quality of the fuel filter and its degree of clogging. In many cases, the root of problems with a car is the installation of a poor quality filter. Therefore, choose for your car only original spare parts recommended by the manufacturer.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them
Which filter is better to choose?
This question is most often asked to specialists, because in most cases the car owner buys the necessary set of spare parts for maintenance.
When choosing, first of all you need to find filters that match the model and modification of the car. And it is better not to try to modernize the design of the car by installing, for example, a diesel filter on a gasoline engine.
After that, decide on the choice of brand. Everything is simple here: if you want a filter “for yourself” so that you can drive calmly and not count kilometers, choose high-quality brands of the highest category. And if you want to make the last ITV before selling, then normal budget options are also suitable.
However, most people prefer the best deals in price and quality by choosing mid-priced brands. These primarily include Bosch, which has long been loved by customers.
Is a filter really necessary? What does it affect?
First of all, the purity of gasoline is important for the injectors of an injection engine: their thinnest holes are clogged with deposits of paraffin, sulfur, dust, dirt and other “goodies”. This is followed by deterioration in engine performance (after all, the required amount of fuel does not enter the cylinder and is not dissipated properly), loss of power, “triple”, a code in one of the cylinders when the injector fails, and then expensive repairs. For systems with a high-pressure fuel pump (HPF), cleaning is carried out before fuel enters the pump - the finishing of the parts cannot withstand foreign impurities. Buying a new pump also costs a lot of money.
Inspection of the used filter
The condition of the removed filter can tell the car owner a lot:
- There is a lot of black dust in the filter pleat - the presence of manganese additives in gasoline;
- The filter is all clogged with dirt - the fuel contains a large percentage of resins and asphaltenes;
- Black mucus on the filter element – there is fungus or bacteria in the fuel;
- Wave-like curvature of the corrugated element - there is a large amount of water in the fuel.
But the condition of the outside is not as important as the type of filter inside the central channel: if there are no deposits on the inside and the paper is clean from the inside, then the filter coped with its task.
How to spot a fake
Many consumables used in cars are counterfeit. Fuel filters are no exception. Moreover, counterfeits are found not only of expensive brands, but also of products from the middle and even lower price categories. As a rule, counterfeit goods are produced in China or even the Russian Federation. To minimize the risk of buying counterfeit filters, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Appearance of the filter. All original manufacturers care about the quality of manufacturing of the housing and filter element of the mentioned products. Accordingly, before purchasing, you must carefully inspect the filter housing. It must be made carefully. It is desirable that the housing contains information about the technical parameters of the filter, engraving/stamping, and the manufacturer’s logo.
- Appearance of the packaging. Good manufacturers of automotive consumables never skimp on the quality of packaging for their products. So, the printing on the original box will always be of high quality. This applies to printing, drawings, fonts (they should not be “floating”). It is not allowed to contain grammatical errors and/or the presence of foreign characters in the description, for example, hieroglyphs. The logo on the packaging must always correspond to the manufacturer or packaging company.
- Availability of gaskets. Thus, original fuel filters are usually always equipped with additional gaskets (where necessary) to ensure the tightness of the fuel system. They are made of special fuel-resistant rubber. Although this fact depends on the specific manufacturer and when purchasing, you need to read the package contents.
- Price. You cannot buy frankly cheap fuel filters, since they will either be of very low quality or are simply an outright fake. It makes sense to purchase products from the middle or higher price range. This is especially true for injection engines of business class cars and cars equipped with diesel engines. Having saved once on a filter, the car owner in the future may face expensive repairs of engine components, in particular, its fuel system.
- Outlets. It is better to use the services of trusted stores that have all the permits for the right to trade. In addition, it is desirable that the retail outlet be an official representative of a particular manufacturer of fuel filters. Avoid dubious retail outlets with small quantities of goods.
All leading filter manufacturers protect their original products using modern technology. There are many similar options, ranging from sending SMS messages with a code on the package to checking the originality using a QR code by visiting the manufacturer’s official website. Such approaches practically eliminate the possibility of purchasing counterfeit products.
How to choose the right one?
So, if in principle everything is clear with the functions and device, then consider the next question. Which is the best fuel filter for a diesel engine?
To do this, several aspects should be taken into account:
Buy only original TFs for diesel units. Today, the choice of filter elements for diesel vehicles is simply huge.
Therefore, when purchasing, it is important not to fall for counterfeit products. The best option would be to purchase an original TF, which is intended directly for your car. In this regard, when purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the serial number; it is advisable that it matches the one indicated by the manufacturer. Before purchasing, you need to determine the required filtration fineness
When you buy a TF, pay attention to its description; several parameters should be noted in it, in particular the nominal and absolute filtration level. This indicator is measured in microns (µm). the nominal value determines the size of particles that are retained by the filter element by 95%! The absolute filtration rate generally determines the quality of cleaning and the class of the device; it is 98%! It should also be noted that filters differ from each other into fine and coarse cleaning elements. Coarse TFs are designed for the preliminary cleaning process and elimination of the largest debris particles from fuel. Fine filters are needed to clean fuel that has already passed through a coarse filter. Today, the principle of double cleaning is the most common and effective, because it allows for reliable protection of the system. In addition, with double purification, the service life of both TFs increases significantly. Remember that low-quality TFs are always the cheapest. It is no secret that a high-quality filter component costs much more, because it is what determines the price of the part in principle. Today, synthetic, cellulose and combined materials can be used in FF. Fully synthetic elements are the most expensive in terms of price, but they have the longest service life. Cellulose TFs are considered the most inexpensive. And not without reason, because their design for cleaning is equipped with special porous paper with an impregnation function. As for the combined elements, they usually alternate synthetic and cellulose layers, which allows filtering dirt from the fuel at a decent level. For diesel fuel, it is also necessary to additionally install a water-fuel separator. The purpose of the separator is to separate condensate from the fuel, as well as to prevent it from entering the fuel. It is no secret that moisture significantly reduces the performance of the unit as a whole, and if it freezes during frosts, this can even lead to damage to the elements of the entire system. Often, separators are mounted in conjunction with the main TF. And lastly, the TF must be installed together with a heating device. When the ambient temperature drops, the fuel becomes “waxed” and, accordingly, its supply to the engine will be difficult. In order to prevent this, it is advisable to install a heating device in addition to the main TF. Thus, even in severe frost, the TF will always be warmed up.
Low quality fuel filters often do not retain water well and it simply passes through them. Then the water, along with the fuel, enters the injection system. As a result, the combustion process of the mixture is disrupted and corrosion occurs, since even a small amount of water quickly leads to damage to the sensitive injection system.
Another important requirement for a diesel fuel filter is that it must remain operational at very low temperatures. Cold causes wax to crystallize in diesel fuel, which can clog a conventional filter.
Quality fuel filters prevent this by returning warmed fuel to the filter. A special element built into many filters monitors the fuel temperature and ensures an optimal mixture of heated fuel and fuel from the tank.
But what can happen to filters without an element that controls the temperature: since the fuel does not heat up without circulation, it becomes viscous, and besides, paraffin crystals appear in it. They get into the filter and clog it. Gradually, fuel stops flowing into the injection system, causing the engine to lose power and stall.
Every second vehicle produced in Germany runs on diesel
Turbochargers that can change the shape of internal turbines, which is standard for designers, and improvements in high torque, have made the Diesel legacy relevant in the modern automotive market. Skeptics are mistaken when they believe that such motors are a source of dirt, loud noise, inefficiency and general environmental pollution - a thing of the past. Special mechanisms process exhaust gases at a level that meets Euro-6 standards. And if, as of 1997, only 22% of vehicles were diesel, now over 60% of them are sold. And in 2022 there are great prospects for the development of this motor, combining it with electronics. This innovation was brought to life in the Peugeot 3008_Hybrid4 models and many others. Rudolf Diesel had no idea what the future of his invention would be, but an entry from his personal diary confirms that he had high faith in the potential of the invention. What is it about his creation that drivers from all over the world appreciate?
