Red Grity Bits in Fuel Filter, OHHH NOOOO!!!

[Mr TCar]

I was at the local Jiffy Lube two weeks ago getting a Fuel Injection service(It works great!),Signature Service Oil Change(usually change oil at home),and a Fuel Filter Change(since I planned on putting BG 44K in the tank after their stuff was through in the tank). The big dude who was the manager told me (after it was all done) that they found Red (rust colored) grity crap that didn't even look like gas in the filter and thought that maybe I should get my tank cleaned!Good thing I got it changed as just think what BG 44K would have done!
The fuel injection service was for the higher octane requirement my car was having(93 Chevron Only) now and especially after I put the 44k in it doesn't ping with 87 Chevron.I am really pleased with this result and the extra power and fuel economy doesn't hurt either.......should I be worried about the stuff they found in the fuel filter? After all this the price was like $167.00 and change(I know I got ripped , but it was good quality work from those guys who are supporting their families).My Car is a 1995 Lincoln Town Car. Maybe I should change my name to Synlube Guy.

 

[Mike242GT]

Mr. T:

Did the shop cut open your fuel filter? Or is it one of those clear plastic ones? Otherwise, how did they know what was inside?

That said, however, if there was "crap" inside, the fuel filter was doing its job. Was it the original, or have you been changing it on a regular basis?

If it was original, you're looking at eight years worth of crud removed from your fuel, and I wouldn't be all that concerned as long as your fuel pressure is still to spec. I'll bet most older cars on the road have at least some rust inside their fuel tanks.

If your fuel pump is an electric "inside-the-tank" pump, this may be accessible without removing the tank from the car. In that case, I would change the pump's filter "sock" that it sucks through. I don't know that I would go to the trouble of removing the fuel tank from the car and having it cleaned unless I was having fuel pressure/driveability issues due to the sediment.

 

[Chris142]

The red stuff is clay. They filter gas through clay when they make it and some of the clay gets in the gas and into your tank.

Some stations have more than others. The Arco's around me are loaded with the stuff.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

I think I got a load of it recently myself. Lately my older truck started losing the ability to get to higher rpms, felt like the fuel requirement was not being met or the exhaust was maybe backed up. There was no surging or missing, just inability to get to higher rpms in any gear. I thought it was a little early for the fuel filter to actually CLOG UP (10k miles on filter and I usually change at 30K), but I changed it anyway.
It was LOADED with a very fine powder (definitely not sand, but now that I read the above posts it DOES look like clay). I have never had a fuel filter actually get clogged enough to cause a problem before but this one has taught me a lesson, if the new filter gets clogged quick I guess my tank is coming off too, bummer!
Oh yeah, it was easy to check, I just drained the gas into a jar and blew backwards..then filtered it through a coffee filter..it was amazing how much came out. Never seen it like that before.

[ June 30, 2003, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: ZR2RANDO ]

 

[timzak]

This report makes me nervous about my new Accord's in-tank fuel filter that is "not serviceable".

 

[ZR2RANDO]

When they say "not serviceable", they mean "is replaceable".....Big deal! Most filters are NOT serviceable...unless we can try to backflush them?? Which I am thinking about doing actually...guess I've had a few beers and am getting pissed at the genius that put the fuel pump/screen "inside" the tank....they still could have put the pre-filter/screen AND post-filter outside the tank!
Good goin dudes

 

[ZR2RANDO]

quote:

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Originally posted by ZR2RANDO:
When they say "not serviceable", they mean "is replaceable".....Big deal! Most filters are NOT serviceable...unless we can try to backflush them?? Which I am thinking about doing actually...guess I've had a few beers and am getting pissed at the genius that put the fuel pump/screen "inside" the tank....they still could have put the pre-filter/screen AND post-filter outside the tank!
Good goin dudes

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I just re-read what I said and it doesn't sound right..What I meant was "Big deal! they should say the truth...you can't service/repair it but you can replace it when it clogs up!! and it will cost you more money!
I like the idea of the diesel fuel water separator filters myself, gives a good visual of the water content and the dirt/clay content also, Just drain the water when needed, and replace filter when needed...even the fuel pump could be submerged in a filter housing to facilitate replacement and cooling by the fuel in the housing as well....guess they didn't ask me though.

oh well, just wanted to clarify what I said before, didn't mean for it to sound like I was being a smart###.
Y'all have a happy holiday
Rando