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Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter?

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Old 03-02-02, 12:34 PM
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Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter?

What kind of results should I supect if my fuel filter is clogged ?


Old 03-02-02, 12:37 PM
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If you're even in doubt about its condition, then you should replace it immediately. The rotary engine is not tolerant of fuel starvation under boost...

You'll have to describe the symptoms that you're experiencing if you want a better diagnosis, though.

Last edited by jimlab; 03-02-02 at 12:41 PM.
Old 03-02-02, 12:40 PM
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I change mine all the time just for the hell of it. Better safe than sorry under any circumstance when it comes to a 3rd gen.
Old 03-02-02, 01:05 PM
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i was with him and what happened was we went to put gas in it well when we got to the gas station the car started to die so we shut it off...we got gas and moved it up to put air in the tires....wel all of a sudden when we started it back up it started run funny the rpms keeped droppin to 0 and going to 500 when usually it should be at 1000.....so i turned it off... well we started it back up and 5 seconds later it shut it self off.....but we got it movin and got it out of the gas station and drove it home and it drove fine after it was moving but at a dead stop it wanted to die so i kept my foot on the gas...i say its the fuel filter but brian keeps thinkin the worse...so let us know

Last edited by 1994_HKS_Twins; 03-02-02 at 01:07 PM.
Old 03-02-02, 01:32 PM
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What happened prior to the gas station? Were you running the car hard while the tank was near empty? Cornering hard?

A compression test will tell you if it's "the worst", but if the fuel filter hasn't been replaced in the last 10,000 miles, then you should probably start there if the only factor that changed was the gas in the tank, and there were no events leading up to this fill-up episode that indicate otherwise...
Old 03-02-02, 01:37 PM
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well see we were driving it normally and no the fuel filter ha been on the car since he bought t at 52000 but now there is like 67000 so thats why i say it the filter or pump or injectors something with the fuel but the motor is not blown
Old 03-02-02, 03:23 PM
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well what if one of the plugs wasnt in good, what would happened, well what i mean is, would the same things happen...
Old 03-02-02, 03:44 PM
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Originally posted by 1994_HKS_Twins
well see we were driving it normally and no the fuel filter has been on the car since he bought it at 52000 but now there is like 67000 so thats why i say it the filter or pump or injectors something with the fuel but the motor is not blown
He bought the car with 52k miles and has driven it for another 15k without ever bothering to change the fuel filter???

I don't mean to be cruel, but someone's literally begging for an engine replacement...

You should probably be changing the filter at 9-10k intervals (every 3rd oil change) anyway, let alone replacing it on a newly purchased car when you don't know the history. Sheesh.
Old 03-02-02, 03:54 PM
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I was under the impression that the RX-7 didn't like to be stopped and started repeatedly over a short period of time. I get similar symptoms to what you describe when I go to the car wash... it wants to idle really low and something feels wrong. Others have described the dreaded flooding situation when starting the car to pull it into the garage, so it definitely has something to do with fuel.

Sorry I don't have an answer for you, just chiming in that I've experienced it too.
Old 03-02-02, 07:45 PM
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Check the line running to the MAP sensor. It's mounted to a bracket on the firewall, near the top in the area behind the throttle body and master cylinder. Little black rectangular box. If that hose disconnects or breaks, your idle will go to S&*t.

And regardless of what else you find to fix, replace the fuel filter.
Old 03-03-02, 11:28 AM
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Where r u guys buying ur fuel filters? I have yet to replace mine since I purchased the car either But in my defense its not a daily driver and I hardly put 2k miles on it since I got it.
Old 03-03-02, 11:38 AM
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I get get the regular fuel filters they sell at Pepboyz. Good for every 10k without getting clogged.

I'll be switching to the K&N fuel filter, though. Good for another 40hp
Old 03-03-02, 01:52 PM
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how much does the dealer charge to replace the fuel filter?
Old 03-03-02, 07:58 PM
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dredded fuel flooding at start up

Can we talk some more of engine flooding at start up.
Old 03-03-02, 08:14 PM
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Originally posted by Flybye
Good for another 40hp

Is this true????????????
Old 03-03-02, 08:31 PM
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Is this true????????????
r u kidding? God I hope ur kidding!!!!! lol.

Im ordering the K&N I decided, I'd rather it be easily accessible so I cld clean it w/ every oil change. Jegs has then for $71 shipped anyone know if theyre cheaper anywhere else?

Last edited by 3rdGenLuvr; 03-03-02 at 08:34 PM.
Old 03-03-02, 08:44 PM
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no, actually, it helps produce 50 more hp
Old 03-04-02, 02:54 AM
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if y'all find out what is wrong with the car definitely let me know. I am having similar problems with idle, but my fuel filter has been replaced probably 5k miles ago.

thanks
Old 03-04-02, 09:03 PM
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Where can i get the K&N fuel filter kit?
Old 03-04-02, 09:09 PM
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places around here (dealer and performance shops)charge about 80-90 bucks to change the fuel filter.......
Old 03-07-02, 01:46 PM
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did this problem get sorted out?
was it the fuel filter or something else??
Old 03-07-02, 09:37 PM
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carparts.com (JC whitney) has Bosch Fuel filters for like $30. Thats where i got mine. Too bad i sold my car. I have one for sale if anybody needs one.
Old 04-21-03, 07:58 PM
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Fuel filter should be changed every 30k mi, not 10k mi. If you like to change yours more often feel free but you're wasting your money.

At 60k mi, the filter should have been changed. Therefore, it's due in your case.

Having said that, this should not be the problem. More likely, it's either spark plug foul, poor gas quality, weak fuel pump or likely a vacuum leak. If you can't hold idle, you have a vacuum or exhaust leak somewhere. The LIM gasket is a popular issue and it's big money to fix it as the turbos have to come off.
Old 04-21-03, 08:12 PM
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I beleive the manual says to change the fuel filter every 25k on the Mazda. On my Honda it's every 60k. I've been changing it every 15k mi along with the plugs. I just did it myself and I have the record for the longest amount of time "4 hours" to change the fuel filter. OK, I took some breaks.
Old 04-21-03, 10:43 PM
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a clogged fuel filter should show up as a high current draw if tested with ammeter

only just got a FD myself and am deep in suspension work at the moment but it should be pretty easy to bridge some relay contacts with a good meter and find out what current is being drawn at idle, (before any boost problems set in)

often current draw specs. are listed in the manual as specs for the fuel pump

if someone can measure the current draw on a new filter and send it to the list we can use that to work out when filters are getting clogged and save a lot of unneccesary changing...

eric e

will get around to it when i have suspension back in the car;o)


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