Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Fuel Filter Problem?

I was examining the undercarriage last night and noticed the fuel filter was completely covered in rust.
Is that normal?
Would it be more succeptible to rusting considering the fluids/materials passing through it?
How often should it be changed?
The fuel pump seems to be running fine (and sounds like it might be an enormous pain-in-the-a$$ to change anyway).

Unless you have a pos filter, that shouldnt happen. Filters normally last 90000, but talking to most people on the forum, and speaking from experience, most people change at 60 or 65. It is actually really easy to change the filter. You dont need to turn the engine to get to gas out of the lines. Just take the fuse out of the engine bay fuse box, pop the clips of each side and the lines just pull off, a little gas will come out, but its only a 5 or 10 minute ordeal.

Paul,

I change my fuel filter every 18 to 24 months. Most CEGers changed it more often. I have read on some car forums that older models should get the fuel filters changed yearly because of the sediment (and rust) which might form in the tank. If the filter gets clogged up, it would put a strain on the fuel pump (not a good thing). As for the rust on the outside, if you feel uncomfortable about it, change it (only about $10 and we have a nice "how to" for you to follow).

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=v6maint&Number=958655&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=186&fpart=1

No way, 60k is too long.

I do it every 10-15k. I have a quick question for the original poster--are you sure that the rust is actual on the filter or is it the clamp that holds the filter? The clamps rust like all hell. Perhaps some of the rust could have ran off on parts of the filter, but I doubt that.

Thanks for all the info.

As a matter of fact, yes, the rust is on outside of the actual filter. It's held by a metal strip/clasp which doesn't have any rust on it (it's aluminum I think).

However, the filter is covered in rust. It just doesn't look right and, I think, might be contributing to the rough idling etc. I'm experiencing.

Also, the car is a '98 w/ 145,000km and I get the impression that it has never been changed.

Further to this...

- I bought the fuel filter.
- I pulled the fuse and relieved the system pressure.
- tried to loosen the metal strip clamp holding the old filter.
- the strip wouldn't move and I stripped the screw trying to loosen it.
- the filter was completely covered in rust.
- I pulled the hose off the one end and the gas started leaking out.
- I tried to pull the hose off the other end but it wouldn't move.
- I yanked and pulled and yanked and pulled and eventually cracked and ruined the black 90 degree elbow holder attaching the filter to the hose.
- I still couldn't get the damn strip clamp off so I jammed a screwdriver underneath enough to get my clips in there and snipped it clean off.
- Now, I have the new filter attached to both hoses with the black 90 degree elbow end broken.
- I was covered in gasoline with a fuel headache.
- I can't drive to the store because it won't stay on but I need to get that blasted joint elbow.
- I checked and apparently I can only get it from a Ford dealer store (not an autoparts superstore or anything) which, of course, isn't open on Sunday.
- hopefully it'll be open tomorrow and I can get the elbow to replace it in hopes the stupid thing will work.
- this sounds like a lot of work when compared to what you guys are talking about... a quick on & off replacement???
- to be continued...

I don't have good news.

That little elbow is not available by itself. You will need the entire fuel line. If it is still available, it will need to be special ordered. A wrecking yard is the best solution.

yea im at 120k miles..lol I have the new one sitting in the trunk for god knows how long...soo dammn lazy