Some Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter

Changing fuel filter must be easy for you now, but you need to keep a check to avoid any mishappening or any mistake. Since every process has few 'Do's & Don'ts, so does the procedure of replacing fuel filter has. A glance at these instructions would definitely ensure safer fuel replacement process. Read on to find the "Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter."

Do's While Replacing Fuel Filter

Make sure to drain the fuel tank before removing it for cleaning.

Always keep in mind that the fuel to be used should be in a sealed container.

Its important that automobile battery should be disconnected before starting the process. The failure in which will lead to accidental sparks that could be dangerous.

Check the filter to ensure that it does not leak and is snug. Usage of gasket sealer to filter threads helps in a leak-free connection.

Cross check the hose clamps for their position. Make sure they are properly positioned as well as tight.

Don'ts While Replacing Fuel Filter

No Smoking – Never smoke while you are repairing or replacing the fuel filter. It is advised that you should also keep away all kinds of electrical systems to avoid any damage to them as well as any harm to yourself.

At the time of replacing fuel filter, one needs to tighten the screws into inlet fitting on carburetor. While doing so, never overtighten it. You might damage the threads in carburetor.

Never use RTV silicone sealer that dissolves in gasoline to prevent leakage. Even teflon tape should also be avoided.

Try not to bring in use old rubber hoses at the time of replacing in-line filter.

7 Steps to Replace Fuel Filters

A little attention and basic knowledge about the fuel supply system will help you follow these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tips to replace fuel filters easily. When you know that it is time to change the fuel filter, you should also know how to do so. If you don't know how to, read on to find it.


Steps to Replace Worn Out Fuel Filter With New One

First Step – The very first step is to relieve the pressure in your fuel lines and fuel filter. For this you need to start the car first carefully pull the fuel pump fuse or fuel pump relay out. This should be done with engine running. This way you can release all the fuel pressure from the fuel lines. Remember, if you don't release the pressure, explosion can take place while changing fuel filter.

Second Step – The next step is to use wrenches to unbolt the fuel filter fittings. Now try sliding the fuel line off the bolt. Also unscrew the bolt on the other side of the fuel filter. Now that you have taken off the bolts, make sure you keep them properly. You will need them while fixing the new fuel filter.

Third Step – You can now easily remove the old fuel filter. While removing it, you may also find that a small clamp. A screwdriver can be used to release this clamp.

Fourth Step – Closely observe the position of old fuel filter before removing it because you have place the new one in the same position.

Fifth Step – Don't forget to change the washers too. It is important that you change the pressure washer that can be found with the fuel line bolts.

Sixth Step – Now take the new fuel filter and place it at its position. Now just try to snug down the clamps. Fix it properly and tightly so as to prevent any fuel leakage. Also fix the bolts that you had kept aside. Make sure you tighten them properly with the use of wrenches.

Seventh & Last Step – Start the engine to check. Once you have replaced the fuel filter, you need to run the car's engine. Now check the fuel filter for any loose connections. Also check for fuel filter seal.

These 7 steps to change or replace fuel filters are easy, but need to be followed carefully. Just change your car's fuel filter to enjoy longer and trouble free drive. Happy Safe Driving!

Keep following to find out "Some Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter" in the next post.

Attention! Your Car's Fuel Filter Needs to Be Changed

It's important and needs special attention as many other auto parts do. That's true friends, Fuel filters, that constitute a major part of automobile fuel supply system should be changed every year if not possible at regular interval. For some of the fuel filters come with life time guarantee, yet it is safer and definitely better to change these filters after regular intervals. Here are the answers to all your questions related to fuel filters and their replacement.

Why Change Fuel Filter?

For Preventive Maintenance – As it is said, prevention is better than cure and so it is always better to keep your vehicle fit rather to take it for repair incase of breakdown. Hence it is the most important reason to change the fuel filters and the same implies for all the auto parts.

To Avoid Plugging Up - Incase of high mileage vehicles, it is always preferable to change the fuel filter at an interval of one year to avoid plugging. Being in regular touch with moisture leads to corrosion and the debris of this corrosion often flows into the fuel tank at the time of pouring fuel.

To Allow Only Contamination Free Gasoline Enters Your Vehicle's – If your fuel filter is damaged, it will not be able to filter gasoline that is contaminated and is mixed with alcohol blends. Whereas, a well fit fuel filters prevents debris from entering the tank.

When Is The Right Time to Replace The Fuel Filter?

Changing fuel filter is necessary. But the question arises as how to know when is the right time to replace the fuel filters. Here are few ways that determine the right time to replace the fuel filters.

Remove the Filter & Blow Through It – This is the D-I-Y tip to check whether the fuel filter needs replacement. Just trying blowing through the fuel filter. Make sure you maintain some distance from your face while blowing through this filter. Any kind of major resistance felt indicates that filter needs replacement.

Engine Might Not Start If Filter is Choked – While starting your vehicle, if the engine starts and then dies, then it is possible because of the choked filter. Such a filter restricts fuel flow to auto parts like fuel injector and carburetor. If you notice similar problem with your vehicle, then its time to replace the fuel filter.

Now that you know the need to change fuel filters and when to do so, don't wait for too long to replace them. If you do, you are inviting troubles for your vehicle. Stay Tuned to find how to replace fuel filters in the next post. For now, have a Happy & Safe Driving Experience.

Here's A Quick Way to Troubleshoot Car's No-Start Problems Part -II

Here are few more tips to troubleshoot car's 'No-start' problems...

What to Do When...

The Vehicle's Engine Cranks But Does not Fire - While starting the car, the engine cranks but does not fire. You may hear the cranking noise but slowly mellows down when you release the key.

Cause - Car's engine is not firing because there might be very less gas or fuel. If the problem arises in a fuel filled tank, the other causes for this no-start condition might be fuel, compression or spark.

Solution - Get the above mentioned auto parts tested at a trusted and known auto repair centre.

What to Do When...

While in Gear, the Car Does not Move - You find everything fine and the engine also functions smoothly, yet the starting problem persists if you place transmission selector in gear .

Cause - Incase the car does not move, there is something wrong with the transmission. The other possible causes might be some damage to the clutch.

Solution - First of all, check the fluid level. Now incase, the level of fluid is OK, you need to get the gear shift checked. A disconnected gearshift will cause this problem. If found low, you need to diagnose the problem behind it which might be a leakage. Get this leakage repaired as soon as possible.

If you release the clutch when the transmission is in gear and you vehicle does not move despite the fact that the engine is working fine, its time for you to get the clutch changed.

These were the causes & DIY car repair tips that would help you in a 'No-start condition'. Therefore, next time, when you are on you way to job in the morning and your car says – 'No-start', do not panic or be sad. Just inspect your car's auto parts and try these tips to troubleshoot the problems while starting a car. Remember, its always better to call a car repair mechanic if you find yourself confused.

Here's A Quick Way to Troubleshoot Car's No-Start Problems

A snapshot on how does a car start must have given you a better understanding of the causes of varied problems of starting system. Now its time to have a look at ways to troubleshoot these car start problems.

I do not recommend that you should not take your car for repair incase of any such problem. Rather, this post is just meant to help you understand the different 'No-start problems' with the automobile starting system and know few DIY tips to troubleshoot them when in need. Let's discuss some of the ways to troubleshoot these problems.

What to Do When...

You Insert the Key and It Does Not Turn - This is common as we know, but neither of us know why does it happen. Lets first focus on why it happens and then on how to troubleshoot this problem. This happens mostly when you have parked your car with its wheels that are turned towards just one side. Parking your car in such a position is wrong. When you come back to start your car, you will find that your car's key will not turn on inserting in the switch.

Cause - This happens because there is excessive pressure on the steering lock that prevents the key from turning.

Solution - What you need to do is just force the steering wheel slightly in one direction. Then do the same in the other direction. Make sure you do not exert a lot of pressure towards any of the sides. Try turning the key while doing so. This way the pressure on steering lock is relieved. Now you easily turn the key.

What to Do When...

Car's Engine Gives a Cranking Sound - You are definitely familiar with this. At times, while starting the car, you hear a different sound – either a cranking sound, a single or multiple clicks at a time.

Cause - Battery is the cause. Your car's battery might have died or become weak. Another possible cause is probably that the connection with the battery has corroded.

Solution - You need to test your battery in such a scenario. A simple way to do so might be to just switch on interior car lights. Dim interior lights when you start the car indicate the need to charge or change your car's battery.

If at all you find the lights working fine, then the problem is not related with the automobile battery or battery parts. Problem might be

- with starter motor or with starter solenoid.
- Or with clutch pedal switch.
- Or with ignition switch or connecting wiring.
- Or with transmission selector.
- Or with neutral safety switch – You may try again by starting the car again with transmission selector in neutral.