Fuel Filter Replacement
Your fuel filter is an important yet frequently overlooked part of your car’s fuel system. Yet you might not realise there’s a problem with it until you notice your fuel use rising while your car’s performance diminishes. A fuel filter replacement helps maintain your car’s efficiency and its lifespan. While your fuel filter is typically inspected and if necessary replaced as part of your regular car service, you’re likely to need more frequent fuel replacements if you do a lot of stop-start city driving or fill up a lot in rural areas.
Changing your own fuel filter can be a difficult task. It requires removal of the rear seat and special tools to get inside the fuel tank, and there’s a danger of fuel leaks. If you need to give your fuel filter some extra attention but you’re too busy to drop into a workshop, a mobile mechanic can make it easier for you to care for this small but significant part of your engine’s fuel system.
NC Autos provides car servicing at a reasonable price in the Moreton Bay region that includes a fuel filter replacement. With over 15 years of combined experience, we’ve worked on all kinds of vehicles from luxury cars to 4WDs. Servicing Moreton Bay and North Brisbane from Caboolture to Chermside to Warner, we can provide a prompt and professional fuel filter replacement so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.
How often should you change your fuel filter?
The fuel filter’s main job is to remove contaminants from your fuel before it reaches your engine. These contaminants can include dirt, rust, water, corrosion and other debris.
The recommended frequency of a fuel filter change depends on a number of factors including whether your engine is running petrol or diesel fuel. A fuel filter replacement is recommended every 100,000 – 120,000 kms for petrol vehicles and every 30,000 to 60,000 kms for diesels. Old diesel fuel also has a tendency to grow an algae commonly known as ‘diesel bug’ inside it, which can rapidly multiply and clog your filters.
Using poor quality fuel clogs your fuel filter more quickly, along with driving on dirty or dusty roads or in stop-start traffic. You can help your fuel filter last longer by using a high-quality filter, putting good fuel in your tank and being mindful of road conditions. Sticking to your car service schedule also helps prevent contaminants from building up.
Signs your fuel filter needs changing
Regular fuel filter replacement prevents your engine from becoming clogged with debris, causing your engine to misfire or stall. Over time, a clogged fuel filter doesn’t just cause you to spend excessive amounts of money on fuel, it can also damage your engine and your fuel system’s components.
Here are some signs that you need to replace your fuel filter:
- Your engine takes a long time to start or cranks multiple times before it turns over.
- You experience engine misfires and rough idling when accelerating, indicating a fuel filter blockage.
- You struggle to pick up speed when accelerating, especially when towing heavy loads or driving uphill.
- You have to put more fuel in your tank than you’re used to due to increased fuel consumption.
- You can smell fuel when inside your car.
- Your check engine light comes on.
The fuel filter replacement process
If you’ve been having problems with your engine or fuel consumption and you suspect a clogged fuel filter is the culprit, the first thing your mechanic will do is thoroughly inspect your vehicle. Replacing a fuel filter is a fairly simple procedure in the hands of a qualified mechanic. Your mechanic can usually handle diesel filters quickly, while petrol fuel filters located inside the tank can take a bit longer.
Most cars on the road are petrol vehicles that have their fuel tanks under the rear set in a modular fuel sending assembly that also includes the fuel pump, pressure regulator, filter and level sender. In petrol vehicles, accessing this tank and its filter involves removing the rear seat. On the other hand, diesel vehicles have the filter in a relatively easy to find place like under the bonnet in the engine bay, which can make the process faster.
The mechanic will depressurise the fuel system, often by removing a fuse or fuel pump relay, to stop fuel from spraying everywhere when the filter is out. They will disconnect the car battery to prevent any electric shocks, then disconnect the old filter and install the new one. Once the new filter is installed and the fuel lines are reconnected, your mechanic will reconnect your battery as well. After a quick check for leaks and sometimes a test drive to check that the vehicle is running properly, you’re good to go.
If you need your fuel filter replaced quickly so you can get back on the road and you don’t have time to learn to do it yourself, a mobile mechanic service like NC Autos is the answer you’re looking for.
Easy fuel filter replacement with NC Autos
To book a fuel filter replacement or a car service in the Moreton Bay region, call 7520 88962 or make an online booking with NC Autos.
Keep your vehicle running smoothly with professional fuel filter replacement services from NC Autos, proudly serving the Queensland suburbs of Caboolture, Chermside, and Warner. A clogged or dirty fuel filter can reduce engine performance, increase fuel consumption, and even cause long-term damage if left unchecked. At NC Autos, our experienced technicians use quality parts and efficient service techniques to ensure your fuel system stays clean and reliable. Whether you’re commuting locally or heading out on a longer drive, trust NC Autos to keep your engine protected and your vehicle performing at its best.