Why have auto manuf. eliminated fuel filters?

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher

Don't confuse the debris delivered to the tank with the debris delivered to the fuel filter.


So the debris that's left in the bottom of the tank in a returnless system is debris that's not left in the bottom of the tank in a return system? Why?

 

[MNgopher]

Debris is left in the tank in either system. Will more collect in the tank itself in a returnless system? Very likely. Does that mean its all delivered to the fuel filter? No.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Debris is left in the tank in either system. Will more collect in the tank itself in a returnless system? Very likely. Does that mean its all delivered to the fuel filter? No.


My truck has 378,000 miles on it. When I replaced the fuel pump 5 years ago, the bottom of the tank was clean. No debris. The fuel filter has been clogged several times.

 

[MNgopher]

Fine. I'm wrong then. Never mind the engineering degree with specialization with relavence to the topic at hand.

I stopped posting once before with the know it alls on this board and now I quit.

 

[JetStar]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Fine. I'm wrong then. Never mind the engineering degree with specialization with relavence to the topic at hand.

I stopped posting once before with the know it alls on this board and now I quit.


Don't take it personal, we're all experts. It's the internet.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Fine. I'm wrong then. Never mind the engineering degree with specialization with relavence to the topic at hand.

I stopped posting once before with the know it alls on this board and now I quit.


No need to quit, just move on.

For some reason people love changeable fuel filters on this site. Maybe it's a feeling of accomplishment after they change it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Debris is left in the tank in either system. Will more collect in the tank itself in a returnless system? Very likely. Does that mean its all delivered to the fuel filter? No.


My truck has 378,000 miles on it. When I replaced the fuel pump 5 years ago, the bottom of the tank was clean. No debris. The fuel filter has been clogged several times.


Our oldest truck has over 400k miles on it. Never a peep from the fuel pump/filter combo.

And it's a gas hog, so that's a LOT of fuel. Always purchased at the cheapest price!

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Fine. I'm wrong then. Never mind the engineering degree with specialization with relavence to the topic at hand.

I stopped posting once before with the know it alls on this board and now I quit.


Sorry to see you take things out of context and mis-interpret them. My sharing of experiences does not insinuate questioning of your e-cred.

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Debris is left in the tank in either system. Will more collect in the tank itself in a returnless system? Very likely.


Don't take this the wrong way, I'm just trying to learn. Why? Why do you believe that more debris will collect in the fuel tank of a returnless system? What's the mechanism? Does the fuel pump inlet sit higher in the fuel tank?

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66

For some reason people love changeable fuel filters on this site. Maybe it's a feeling of accomplishment after they change it.

The reason I've gone to yearly fuel filter changes on one of our vehicles is because of a bad experience with that vehicle. At 30,000 miles, the fuel filter plugged (3 years, never changed) and destroyed the fuel pump ($450 to replace). I'd rather spend $9 yearly to replace the filter then chance having another big repair bill and being stranded again.

 

[Jarlaxle]

That!

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Fine. I'm wrong then. Never mind the engineering degree with specialization with relavence to the topic at hand.

I stopped posting once before with the know it alls on this board and now I quit.


Sorry to see you take things out of context and mis-interpret them. My sharing of experiences does not insinuate questioning of your e-cred.


Gopher,

It really is most unreasonable to expect everyone to simply accept what you present as fact here. If it's questioned that certainly doesn't change its veracity.

 

[Hannibal]

All of these are great starts, however I can share a little insight from inside the business. I can't argue the points on here...I'm just passing along some research done with my former company and the OE's. These were common answers we got from multiple OE sources. The OE's started getting away from replacement fuel filters for a few reasons. Here are some:


Emissions: With stricter government enforcement the OE's have moved to placing the filter inside the tank or pump to avoid emission leaks of hydro carbons from the connections between the filter and the line.

Safety: In the event of a crash if the filter is inside the tank or pump there is less of a chance of a disconnection taking place within the fuel line and/or a possibility of a puncture to happen. This is all to avoid a possibility of a leak which could then cause a fire.

Maintenance: With the maintenance intervals being extended, the OE's feel that about the time the filter is about ready to be changed the vehicle will probably also be ready for a new pump itself.

Cost Savings: The OE's feel it is also a cost savings if they put the filter in the pump or tank because that is one less component to put on and one less supplier.


Like someone said on here...it's the internet, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Hannibal

Cost Savings: The OE's feel it is also a cost savings if they put the filter in the pump or tank because that is one less component to put on and one less supplier.


Probably this one. The manufacturer has one less person to employ on the assembly line, and when a replacement fuel filter finally is needed, chances are the vehicle is old enough that they would get it from an aftermarket source anyway.