Fuel filter autopsy

DrDave · 07-24-08, 09:43 PM

Greetings:

I changed a fuel filter on a G2 Legend last week. The filter had been in service for an undetermined amount of time. I cut the filter open and removed the media. I let it dry and examined the pleats to see how much dirt had been trapped in the filter. This baby is really loaded. This is one of the worse I have seen in a long time.

It will eventually clog and starve the engine of fuel. The real damage is the extra load it puts on the fuel pump. As the filter becomes more restricted the electric fuel pump has to work harder to overcome the resistance from the partially clogged fuel filter. The amperage draw for the fuel pump goes way up and wears out the pump motor. When that happens you get to dig deep into your pocket to pay for a new pump.

Acura recommends a fresh fuel filter at 60k miles. That seems like a bunch to me. I change fuel filters a little more frequently than that.

The picture below shows the dirt load that the filter was supporting. I scraped a little of the caked dirt away.

This next picture shows the face of one of the pleats. Gross.

Here is a shot of the clean side of the filter. This material does a great job of filtering. Both sides of the filter should be this color. You can see the porous surface on this side.

Here is a bigger shot of the dirty side.

Dave

The Crowing · 07-24-08, 10:02 PM

Woo hoo! Thats a lotta shit.

Alperovich · 07-24-08, 10:03 PM

just to refresh the courts memory, what kind effect does this have on MPG??

TeamLR · 07-24-08, 10:08 PM

why cant i ever see the pics

DrDave · 07-24-08, 10:26 PM

Alex:

As not to confuse the jury, the filter has no effect on fuel economy. If, however, over a period of time it could damage the pump. That would result in excellent mileage while being towed to the shop.

The defence rests.

Alperovich · 07-24-08, 10:33 PM

thanx doc, just the answer i was hoping to read..... case closed.

Billyjack187 · 07-24-08, 10:41 PM

Good stuff, keep in mind in line fuel filters can be spliced in to further the life of your filter. I use them primarily for my diesel truck, you wanna see some shit, next time I yank that puppy out, its black with filth. And I swap them out every 15k! Yea it puts a hurtin on my pump, but how about them injectors?

chapman89 · 07-24-08, 11:05 PM

Wow seeing this makes me want to change mine! haha

kotetu · 07-25-08, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chapman89

Wow seeing this makes me want to change mine! haha

no kidding - that and get the injectors serviced.

Off engine injector service = AMAZING!!

off car fuel injector cleaning

07-24-08, 09:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
DrDave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 578 Car 1: 94 LS Coupe' Car 2: 91 NSX Car 3: various cars & bikes iTrader: (1)	Fuel filter autopsy Greetings: I changed a fuel filter on a G2 Legend last week. The filter had been in service for an undetermined amount of time. I cut the filter open and removed the media. I let it dry and examined the pleats to see how much dirt had been trapped in the filter. This baby is really loaded. This is one of the worse I have seen in a long time. It will eventually clog and starve the engine of fuel. The real damage is the extra load it puts on the fuel pump. As the filter becomes more restricted the electric fuel pump has to work harder to overcome the resistance from the partially clogged fuel filter. The amperage draw for the fuel pump goes way up and wears out the pump motor. When that happens you get to dig deep into your pocket to pay for a new pump. Acura recommends a fresh fuel filter at 60k miles. That seems like a bunch to me. I change fuel filters a little more frequently than that. The picture below shows the dirt load that the filter was supporting. I scraped a little of the caked dirt away. This next picture shows the face of one of the pleats. Gross. Here is a shot of the clean side of the filter. This material does a great job of filtering. Both sides of the filter should be this color. You can see the porous surface on this side. Here is a bigger shot of the dirty side. Dave Last edited by DrDave : 07-25-08 at 12:47 PM. Reason: kan't spell

07-24-08, 10:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
TeamLR Acura-Legend OG Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CT Posts: 873 Car 1: 92 Acura Legend LS Car 2: 97 BMW 528I Car 3: 99 Montero Sport iTrader: (5)	why cant i ever see the pics __________________ Chris Team LR

07-24-08, 10:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Billyjack187 Wrench Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 207 Car 1: 1995 Chevy K2500 Turbo Diesel Car 2: 1992 Honda Accord LX Car 3: 1993 Acura Legend T2 iTrader: (0)	Good stuff, keep in mind in line fuel filters can be spliced in to further the life of your filter. I use them primarily for my diesel truck, you wanna see some shit, next time I yank that puppy out, its black with filth. And I swap them out every 15k! Yea it puts a hurtin on my pump, but how about them injectors? __________________ I'll whip you worse than a Kimbo video. Hawaiian Pride haoles! 93 Acura Legend, Type II engine and Tranny,Ground kit,Goodridge lines, Injen Cyborg intake, EBC brakes, Slotted rotors,Telion Chipped ECU, Walbro fuel pump, Iridium plugs, and so many other new parts I dont need to go further. Less than 30k on my whip.

07-24-08, 11:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
chapman89 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,734 Car 1: 1993 Acura Legend LS iTrader: (8)	Wow seeing this makes me want to change mine! haha __________________ New pictures of my 93' LS sedan FS: OEM 15in Legend Wheels. Great condition! PM me! NC Legend Meet Info! CLICK HERE!

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07-24-08, 10:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
DrDave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 578 Car 1: 94 LS Coupe' Car 2: 91 NSX Car 3: various cars & bikes iTrader: (1)	Alex: As not to confuse the jury, the filter has no effect on fuel economy. If, however, over a period of time it could damage the pump. That would result in excellent mileage while being towed to the shop. The defence rests.

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