As your go-to source for all auto repair and maintenance needs in Boulder, Done Right Auto Repair is proud to be able to offer fuel filter replacements at competitive rates, but how do you know if you need a new fuel filter?

If your car has had a tough time accelerating or starting, if it stalls while idling, or if the engine just feels like it’s been behaving erratically, there’s a good chance that the fuel filter is clogged and needs replacing.

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What is a Fuel Filter?

Like your oil filter and air filter, your fuel filter is a line of defense that keeps impurities that have ended up in your fuel tank from entering your engine and causing significant damage to your vehicle from the inside out.

Typically, a fuel filter is made of a heat-resistant mesh that’s held in a plastic or metal housing with a line connecting one end to your fuel tank and another to your engine. Anything that’s above a certain size will get caught in the filter, ensuring pure fuel makes its way to your engine.

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Where is the Fuel Filter Located?

The location of your fuel filter will depend greatly on the make and model of your vehicle, but it’s always found on the fuel line somewhere between the fuel tank and either your carburetor or your fuel injection system. This can be found mounted on the underside of your car or against the firewall in the engine compartment.

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What Are the Signs of a Clogged Fuel Filter?

If you experience any irregularities in starting, acceleration, or idling, we always recommend inspecting the fuel filter to make sure it’s not clogged, but some of the most common signs include:

• Erratic Engine Performance: If your engine behaves unexpectedly at high speeds or if when you’ve put your foot to the floor and are expecting high acceleration, a clogged fuel filter could keep your engine from getting the right volume of gasoline.

• Engine Stalling: Your car needs fuel at all times when it’s running, and if it experiences an irregular flow from a clogged fuel filter, your car could stall or die.

• Trouble Starting: Whether it’s hard to start or your car won’t start at all, a partially or wholly clogged fuel filter could be to blame.

• Engine Hesitation: If you notice a delay between when you apply the gas and when you would normally experience acceleration, you likely have a blocked fuel filter.

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How Do You Change a Fuel Filter?

We recommend changing your fuel filter every few years or every 50,000 miles, but you should check your owner’s manual just to be sure those parameters work for your vehicle.

When you bring your car to Done Right Auto Repair, we’ll use an OEM replacement fuel filter to ensure that your new filter is built for your engine and that you get the most miles out of it that you can. Changing a fuel filter isn’t like changing your oil; you should really leave this one to the pros here at Done Right Auto Repair.

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This is what we’ll do when you need your fuel filter replaced:

• Relieve the pressure in your car’s fuel line
• Remove clips connecting the fuel filter to the fuel line
• Remove the old fuel filter and inspect both incoming and outgoing lines for wear
• Replace any worn or damaged fuel lines
• Replace the fuel filter and use a fresh set of clips or hose clamps to connect the fuel line
• Check for leaks before handing the keys back over to you