OK, I have done all new filters/fluids for my 96 Mark VIII except the fuel filter and differential fluid. The car now has 87,000 miles and both the diff fluid and fuel filter have never been changed. I can't afford to do both at once so which should I replace first?
Next tune up item?
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Fuel.
The diff. fluid may never need to be changed unless you suspect it was somehow contaminated. They are hypoid gears which really do not wear to any extent.
Fuel.
Diff fluid could be done, but I agree with Donald. I just changed the rear diff fluid in my 95 Chevy K1500. Fluid still stunk, inside of the diff was as clean as a whistle, with only a small witness pattern on the gears. But there was only 157,000 on the fluid too, so that could make a difference.
Replaced it with DuraBlend 80w-90.
Diff fluid could be done, but I agree with Donald. I just changed the rear diff fluid in my 95 Chevy K1500. Fluid still stunk, inside of the diff was as clean as a whistle, with only a small witness pattern on the gears. But there was only 157,000 on the fluid too, so that could make a difference.
I'd change the diff fluid way before the fuel filter. Unless the fuel system becomes contaminated somehow, the fuel filter will likely never become clogged.
Bull. Fuel filters dont have to plug to restrict flow and cause problems. When I changed my fuel filter at about 55k I could hear the difference in the sound of the pump before vs after. It was a higher pitch after, which tells me, IMO, it was under less load.
Then I guess, the answer depends on the specific circumastances and application.
As a dissenting personal story:
two years ago I changed the fuel filter on my old '93 Camry with over 150,000 miles. I changed it just because I figured the mileage was so high, there HAS to be some junk in there restricting flow.
Well, I, of course, cut open the original filter (with 150,000 miles) and I found that there was just about nothing in the filter...I couln't believe it, and I probably wouldn't beleive had I not done it myself. And owned the car since new.
Anyway, every situation is different.
Again, I feel rather strongly that changing the diff fluid is more important than changing a fuel filter.
But, if I heard my fuel pump struggling, I would certainly change the fuel filter before I did anything else.
As a dissenting personal story:
two years ago I changed the fuel filter on my old '93 Camry with over 150,000 miles. I changed it just because I figured the mileage was so high, there HAS to be some junk in there restricting flow.
Well, I, of course, cut open the original filter (with 150,000 miles) and I found that there was just about nothing in the filter...I couln't believe it, and I probably wouldn't beleive had I not done it myself. And owned the car since new.
Anyway, every situation is different.
Again, I feel rather strongly that changing the diff fluid is more important than changing a fuel filter.
But, if I heard my fuel pump struggling, I would certainly change the fuel filter before I did anything else.
do the fuel, the diff fluid on those is a PITA. they use the same center housing as a cobra, you have to lower the housing from the car to drain the fluid. there is no drain plug, just a fill plug.
Of the customers who come in thinking they have a restricted Cat Conv, fully half end up with a fuel filter replacement. Don't know of anyone who's car has become sluggish, lost fuel mileage,missed and choked along because diff grease needed changed.
Bob
Bob
FUEL, no doubt about it.
I've never needed to change a fuel filter in my life. I'd do the diff.
my wifes car started stalling, sputtering and just running plain bad. before i took it anywhere to have it checked out i changed out the air and fuel filter. the fuel filter was plugged up pretty good when i tried to blow in it. the filter was the factory motorcraft, after the change it went back to running great. the air filter wasnt to bad i changed it last year when i tuned it up.
What kind of car? How many miles? Where do you get gas?
its a 01 taurus with 117k and it like my car only get gas at one very busy shell though she does not get the v-power that i have to
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