Can a clogged fuel filter cause this...

[shhh i know]

Here is my question guys. On my 92 Tsi I have an upgraded 190 fuel pump with hard wire done, new plugs, wires, 2g mas, and Evo 560cc injectors. I installed my SAFCII and Zeitronix wideband in order to tune my car. What I am noticing is that when I am setting my SAFCII I am having to go on the positive side in order to richen up my car (so it won't be lean) to get a good AFR from my wideband. To my understanding with Evo 560cc injectors and a 2g mas I should actually have to pull fuel not add it.

I am also seeing that where I tuned it one time it will not have the same O2 reading the next time I am at the same RPMs. I realize the ECU will manipulate my settings a little but there seems to be extreme differences. I am logging through my Zeitronixs software and there is clearly major differences from one pull to an identical pull in my AFR.

So here is the question....do you think that a clogged fuel filter could cause this. The fuel filter has never been changed from the looks of it.

 

[bryanwheat]

Well first off, why are you trying to upgrade your car without first doing maintenance on it. If it looks old replace it.

 

[shhh i know]

I have done maintenance on it. I changed the timing belt, balance shaft, plugs, wires, injectors, vacuum lines, air filter, and flushed/filled coolant. I changed the T-case, rear diff, trans, and oil fluid (including filter). Performed a boost leak test, checked turbo for shaft play, checked compression, checked ecu, ran a hard wire for my fuel pump, and replaced my pcv valve. I believe this would be maintenance right?

However, I realized I didn't change my fuel filter and I am having this symptom. I have already ordered an OEM fuel filter and am waiting on it to arrive (because I feel better about using an OEM one). However, I was curious if anyone could verify this could cause my problem or maybe another culprit I should think about.

 

[bryanwheat]

I have done maintenance on it. I changed the timing belt, balance shaft, plugs, wires, injectors, vacuum lines, air filter, and flushed/filled coolant. I changed the T-case, rear diff, trans, and oil fluid (including filter). Performed a boost leak test, checked turbo for shaft play, checked compression, checked ecu, ran a hard wire for my fuel pump, and replaced my pcv valve. I believe this would be maintenance right?

However, I realized I didn't change my fuel filter and I am having this symptom. I have already ordered an OEM fuel filter and am waiting on it to arrive (because I feel better about using an OEM one). However, I was curious if anyone could verify this could cause my problem or maybe another culprit I should think about.

Impossible for anyone on here to yell you for sure. It is possible that a clogged filter could cause that, you won't know fir sure until you change it out.

 

[shhh i know]

Okay thanks. I'll know come Wednesday or so when I get my filter
sure hope it solves my issue but either way it needs changed.

 

[bastarddsm]

This doesn't see, like a clogged filter to me. Cloged flter will affect WOT/hi boost areas first. By the time it affects part throttle/cruse/idle it will be so restrcted it will run like balls when in boost.

 

[silvreclips]

Its very possible it could be clogged. I just went through this a few months back. Everytime I drove the car it would get leaner in WOT until I had my injectors maxed out trying to run even 12psi. Go ahead and change it they are cheap.

 

[Ace_gst]

Go ahead and change the filter, always a good idea. Just wanted to let you know im running a 16g and 560 injectors and my high throttle settings are in the plus 2-3 percent. With hacked maf I had to add to much fuel and push it into fuel cut. This is on 10psi and our crude 91 here in Cali.

 

[steve]

Just be careful removing the lines from the filter. Use a wrench on the filter and the correct line wrench on the fitting. Position them so squeezing the two wrenches does the work. Too many reports of people kinking the fuel line replacing the filter.

 

[shhh i know]

Thanks for the insight guys, always much appreciated. I will make sure to use a 14mm crescent wrench and another wrench for removal, last thing I want to do is replace another line (just got done replacing a brake line from electrocuting myself on it.....total nob move )

When I get it changed out I will post if it helped or not.

 

[93Lzr]

You wanna use a flare wrench. Not a crescent wrench.

 

[shhh i know]

haha yeah your right I don't know why I said crescent, thank you for the correction.