Lets Talk: Fuel Filters

[Detective Coating]

AEM
Fuel Lab
Mr. Gasket
Russell Competition Fuel Filters - JEGS

I got the last one from Russell and I think it could be junk because I have horrible fuel problems around 10% IDC and have done darn near everything to fix it and its about the only thing left to test. I didn't do much research before choosing this one but it was a decent price compared to the rest so I thought I'd try it.

Can someone help explain the differences and which one I should go with?

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

As far as i know, they are pretty much the same. You have a aluminum case with a paper filter probably around the 10-20 micron level. What could be making the difference with yours is the size of the filter element if you think that the filter is causing the problem. If i had to guess, i don't think its your filter. I think you have another problem, because you usually see problems with filters restricting flow at high fuel pressure. Not at lower.

James

 

[Defiant]

If they aren't as big as the factory filter, stay with it. Otherwise, unless your tank has been subjected to flooding or some other contamination, the filters don't have much work to do. The gasoline's filtered on the way into the truck, on the way out of the truck, and at the pump on the way to your tank. There shouldn't be anything to take out.

 

[No_Skillz]

What's the filtration for a factory unit? I've always used OEM and never thought twice about using of these.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

Well, i always used the oem one as well. But i have a fuel-lab for my talon just becuase it looks nice and has 6-an fittings on it.

James

 

["G"]

A few other choices Pegasus - Fuel Filters The canton one is supposed to be real good.

 

[crimsondragon]

I'm using Trick Flow with a 40 micron filter. I recently took it apart to check on it and it's clean. The gas is clean. Everything is clean.

 

[DSMunknown]

If they aren't as big as the factory filter, stay with it. Otherwise, unless your tank has been subjected to flooding or some other contamination, the filters don't have much work to do. The gasoline's filtered on the way into the truck, on the way out of the truck, and at the pump on the way to your tank. There shouldn't be anything to take out.

And yet Mitsubishi and vendors like FIC still install injector filters.

 

[Detective Coating]

And yet Mitsubishi and vendors like FIC still install injector filters.

Nothing wrong with being a little more safe I guess. Thanks guys, that helped me pinpoint my thoughts elsewhere. I was thinking with the different micron sizes it could effect your flow or pressure but I guess I was just misunderstood. I got what I did because A) It was cheap B) It was shiny C) It runs -6AN fittings out both sides D) The local performance shop told me it would be the best for my setup keeping price in mind.

 

[TOONAH]

If all the junk that came out of my FPR is any indication, I for one believe in a good fuel filter. It only takes a little bit of junk to clog an injector.

 

[DSMunknown]

When I had my 450cc injectors cleaned and flow tested over the summer by FIC, they rebuilt them. They forgot to install one of the injector filters. So I called up and they sent me a couple more to be pushed in. Never was installed and I haven't had any issues. Guess they're just there as a last ditch effort, but I'm not impressed.

 

[viprez586]

Otherwise, unless your tank has been subjected to flooding or some other contamination, the filters don't have much work to do. The gasoline's filtered on the way into the truck, on the way out of the truck, and at the pump on the way to your tank. There shouldn't be anything to take out.

The tanks at gas stations are not perfect, neither are they 100% sealed, moisture and ground water can contaminate the inside as well as the outside. This is why there is ~10% ethanol in gasoline to absorb the moisture and turn it into a more combustible mixture.
Some gas stations with contaminated tanks or leaks will try to use more than 10% in their tanks to cure their problem but often get caught by the EPA while they go around testing the amount of ethanol in their tanks.

While it is unlikely you'd find a huge amount of contamination in your fuel, your more likely to find higher ethanol content with the old age of some gas stations.

I do agree it is filtered a lot, but not perfect.

Take into consideration of all the contamination + deterioration that can occur in your vehicle's gas tank, rubber lines, seals, etc. and your gas isn't all that clean unless your entire fuel system is brand new.

To the OP: I'd just go with OEM unless your running a high output fuel system.

 

[Detective Coating]

Not running high output but everything is new from the sending unit to the pump(255), to the lines(-6AN) to the filter(Russell), to the rail(1g), to the AFPR(Aeromotive) and lines(-6AN) back to the tank.

 

[viprez586]

I know you can do a flow test by unhooking the fuel line from the rail.
A general rule of thumb is at least 16oz of fuel in 30sec.
To do this you need to jump the fuel pump to get it to run for 30seconds and doing so could get a little tricky.

However i don't think this test would be suffice since your having problems on the low end, but it's worth a try.
With that low of IDC I'd be more concentrating on injectors or your MAF. Maybe try finding a buddy and swapping parts to see if anything changes.