Quick Fuel Filter Question
 

Is it possible and/or recommended to change the fuel filter to one of those smaller, inline-style see-through filters? I changed the OEM one (which was like a half-gallon) on my VW Scirocco yesterday to one like that, and it works fine, even with the pressure.
Can I also do it to my RX? The stock filter is kind of a hassle to change, and if I placed one of those aftermarket see-through ones in, it would be easier in the future to change because I could put it wherever I want. Please post your advice. Thanks!

You need for fuel injected system. The ones you see that are see through are for carbs. The pressure is waaay different.

I have one of those glass see-through style filters on my car. It works just fine. I also had one on a fuel injected Chevy Caprice. It was on there for three years without any problems. The one on the FC has been there since June.

Yeah, my Scirocco is fuel-injected, and that one works just fine. Thanks for the info and replies!

will a dirty fuel filter cause intermittent hesitation? My car is doing this and it is getting irritating. For the last four years I have owned the car I have never changed the filter.

So why do you want to do this?
A fuel pressure gauge will show ANY obstruction in the fuel system or a faulty FPR.

Most of those clear glass fuel filters have a disclaimer that says "NOT FOR USE ON FUEL INJECTION - CARB ONLY".
Do not come crying to us if you experience an engine fire.


-Ted

bump? also wondering...

I was just asking if it was a good idea, because the OEM location for the filter sucks, and it would be easier to change the thing if it was in a place that I can access easier. I did not know they were for carbureted use only, since the one I placed on the scirocco works fine and it is fuel injected...I have not done this to my RX-7 yet, I was just getting a feel for whether or not it is a good idea and if not then why not.
Again, thanks for the replies

Use an OEM one and you won't have any problems and a clogged fuel filter will cause problems. I replace mine after 20k miles. Some gas stations have some crap in their tanks and will clogg a fuel filter pretty quickly. Not to mention the fuel pickup screen.

Yes we all know what a fuel filter does, that's not the question. The question is will an alternate filter work.

Yes Parasite I know what the question is and I would stick to an OEM one. The clear ones are made out of glass and depending on what kind of driving you do and where I would prefer a steel one.
Also the " see through ones" are desigend for carbs, less pressure.

As I have and Ted, make sure it's for F.I. and not for carb.
This applies the same for fuel lines. They are not the same. If we read what applications it's for, we will avoid engine fires. A F.I. has almost 3 times more pressure than a carb system. You think a plastic / glass see through canister is going to hold it for long?

The FC fuel filter might be a pain in the ass to you, but you've obviously never done a fuel filter swap on an FD.
Be glad you only have to deal with "just" the FC one...
Remember, the grass is always greener on the other side...


-Ted

because the other side has more shit...

The one I had used on my Caprice Had a rating of 40 PSI or somthing like that. It was safe to use on that car as The Fuel pump pressure was lower than that.


If I remember correctly the FC Fuel pressure is 34 PSI or somthing.

I would recommend getting the proper filter though.

As well, you can relocate the FF to a better location very easily (there is also a write up somewhere) but in reality WHY? how often is it changed anyhow and fro 17+ years it is fine where it is :)

I would just use stock as well it seems to hold up very well and does its job just fine.

Yeah, after the replies I figure what the hell, I'll just leave it. I changed the filter on my '87 N/A twice, and I can do it, I was just thinking yesterday that there might be an easier way, plus you can see if the filter need to be cleaned. It was just a thought, and I haven't had the luxury of changing an FD filter, so maybe I am living the high life after all and just don't know it yet!
But all of your opinions were interesting, thanks for the replies

Be careful with the wording...
The FUEL RAIL PRESSURE is rated at about 35psi, at idle.
At "0", the fuel rail pressure should jump up to about 40psi.
That's for an NA.

If we're talking turbo, it's boost depedent and goes +1psi for every +1psi of boost.
Thus a turbo making 10psi of boost is seeing 50psi of fuel rail pressure!

Now, the fuel pump is rated at "dead end" pressure at around 70psi (I think).
This means, if there is a major clog in the fuel system, the fuel pressure has the potential to HIT that high.

You think your 40psi rated fuel filter is going to stay intact?

Seriously folks, I do not recommend doing this at all.
If you're worried about clogs, get a fuel pressure gauge - it's much more useful and safer.
This is literally playing with fire here...



-Ted

If you haven't done it yet, the FD fuel filter is located on TOP of the rear diff!
At the very least, you need to jack the rear end up to get under the car and snake your hands through the rear suspension pieces...



-Ted

The reason I used this filter on my Caprice is that I screwed up the flare fittings on the hard lines when I was testing fuel pressure. I cut the lines at the stock fuel filter and fastened one of those glass filters with rubber hose and clamps. It worked for years with no problems. On to the FC now. You were right I should've been more specific. I was referring to N/A cars. My parts car had one of those filters in the stock location. My friend bought that car as a chaep tear-it-up car. It worked fine for at least a year on the car. I did NOT recommend using this filter. I am sharing MY personal experience with it. While book-wise it might not work, It worked just fine in real life. I agree, it's not a good thing to mess with. It's kinda like the S4 PD thing. Have it leaking and drive the car. lol I don't think the stock location of the fuel filter is not that difficult either.