Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter?
Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
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.
You'll have to describe the symptoms that you're experiencing if you want a better diagnosis, though.
Last edited by jimlab; Mar 2, 2002 at 12:41 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7
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From: IRVING
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; Mar 2, 2002 at 01:07 PM.
Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
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...
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...
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: IRVING
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
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Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
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
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
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.
Registered Abuser
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
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.
Sorry I don't have an answer for you, just chiming in that I've experienced it too.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 464
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From: Was SoCal
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.
And regardless of what else you find to fix, replace the fuel filter.
But in my defense its not a daily driver and I hardly put 2k miles on it since I got it.
It's never fast enough...
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,760
Likes: 3
From: Miami - Given 1st place as the POOREST city in the US as per the federal government
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
I'll be switching to the K&N fuel filter, though. Good for another 40hp
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 567
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From: NNJ
Is this true????????????
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; Mar 3, 2002 at 08:34 PM.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2001
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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.
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.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,772
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From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: nagano japan
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)
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)