"Lifetime" Fuel filter dissection - With Pics

[87witmoreboost]

Well, here it is. I've read the debates and here are the pictures for many to ponder upon.

Now on my second supra, I have changed fuel filters on both cars. The first resulted in a sheared line. The new car went like a dream - thankyou, PB Blaster.

My first car ran FAR better with a new fuel filter and has lead me to prove to those who think it can really last a lifetime, that you are, in fact, WRONG.

Here are the pictures. I am not a fuel filter specialist in any way, so anyone who does know about filter types - chime in. My observation is what I expected. It's like an old air filter. The paper is simply filled with junk. This should not be called "lifetime" because that junk cannot be cleaned. If this were a removable cartridge that could be washed, then 'lifetime' is o.k.

Let the debates begin!

EDIT: Came off car, as original, at 94K miles.

 

[plaaya69]

Thats just nasty, it also looks like sand.

 

[Clied]

Gross... Lucky for me on the receipts the original owner gave me it says the fuel filter has been replaced. I still plan on putting a new one in once I get a Walboro fuel pump though.

 

[kingsupra]

Gross... Lucky for me on the receipts the original owner gave me it says the fuel filter has been replaced. I still plan on putting a new one in once I get a Walboro fuel pump though.

yeah i did the same thing, got the fuel tank dropped might as well change the filter. i had 156k on my orignal filter the fuel coming out of it was black as hell

thats pretty disgusting how bad they get

 

[jetjock]

I'll offer a few comments. First, I hope you were in there for some other reason because why someone would randomly go through the hassle this job involves when all they needed was a gallon jug and stopwatch is puzzling. Second, too many variables from car to car. Rust/water in the tank, age, climate, quality of gas, additives, on and on. Not to mention saying the car "ran far better" with a new filter is subjective. Third, the stock filter is based on a Bosch design that has proven to be lifetime in other applications.

Fourth, the filter on my 87 is original and the engine runs perfect. The claim is not subjective because I own thousands of dollars worth of test and diag gear that proves it. In the end maybe your filter really was bad, (how it looks isn't indicative of anything btw) but some of us prefer to change parts based on testing, using the manufacturer's procedures and specifications. Until that testing shows otherwise I consider the filter lifetime....right up until it quits working

 

[87witmoreboost]

I'll offer a few comments. First, I hope you were in there for some other reason because why someone would randomly go through the hassle this job involves when all they needed was a gallon jug and stopwatch is puzzling. Second, too many variables from car to car. Rust/water in the tank, age, climate, quality of gas, additives, on and on. Not to mention saying the car "ran far better" with a new filter is subjective. Third, the stock filter is based on a Bosch design that has proven to be lifetime in other applications.

Fourth, the filter on my 87 is original and the engine runs perfect. The claim is not subjective because I own thousands of dollars worth of test and diag gear that proves it. In the end maybe your filter really was bad, (how it looks isn't indicative of anything btw) but some of us prefer to change parts based on testing, using the manufacturer's procedures and specifications. Until that testing shows otherwise I consider the filter lifetime....right up until it quits working

The devil's advocate is welcome to this thread - it's why I posted this.

I changed the filter as a $20 precaution and that reason alone.

 

[90T04]

After I read this thread I went and dug my filter out of the trash that I just threw away today. This is the original ND filter with 107K miles on it. I dyno'ed at 336WHP a few years ago with my 57 trim with this filter and then switched to a T04b and even then never had any fuel flow issues.

As you can see, this filter did not have the sand looking junk on it that the one pictured above did, but a lot of fine black dirt particles that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

I am not going to argue whether this filter needed to be replaced or not, but for those of us who are modifying and not at stock power levels this filter would add a ? in my mind.

 

[MK3.0dudeman]

I don't care if it is life time or not,or how it looks but for 20$ if I'm there with the tank off I most deff would do it.I would just feel better about myself.

 

[Poodles]

Hence why people still replace em...

They feel better knowing it's replaced when it's a complete waste 99% of the time.

Much like changing your oil all the time...

 

[xcyanideslethalx]

wow that is sorta surprising that a fuel filter can become that dirty, now theres now way in hell fuel filters should be called lifetime.

 

[7MGTEsup]

How long is a lifetime?? Most car manufacture design a car to have a life span of 10 years. So does that mean you should change it every 10 years??

 

[87witmoreboost]

How long is a lifetime?? Most car manufacture design a car to have a life span of 10 years. So does that mean you should change it every 10 years??

Good question.

 

[deabionni]

My current filter is 22 years old ('86.5) and I still have good fuel flow & pressure.

That said, I ordered some parts from Rockauto.com a few months ago and noticed that they had some Wix fuel filters on sale for $5. After my turbo swap is complete, I plan on changing out the rear end from my 4.30 to a 3.73; and while I'm taking things apart, I'll also change out the fuel filter.

The current filter has lasted 22 years so far, but replacing it with a Wix (that only costs me $5) while I'm swapping out the rear end is good insurance.

NINJA EDIT: I also remember reading somewhere that Toyota states the the lifetime span of their filters is 25 years. -->Found it. It's in the MKIII FAQ section on the other forum.

 

[figgie]

My first car ran FAR better with a new fuel filter and has lead me to prove to those who think it can really last a lifetime, that you are, in fact, WRONG.

bad choice of words.

better as in how exactly?

What was the fuel flow with the old filter?
What was the fuel flow with the new filter.
Pressure drop with new and old?

A butt dyno does not prove anything save for what you THOUGHT has taken place.

Either give hard numbers, if you can't, that your post is nothing but an opinion and as such does not require being "PRVOED or DISPROVED as it is your opinion and nothing else.

 

[iwannadie]

Wouldnt the 'life time' claim only work under ideal conditions? Meaning, no rust, additive effects, stale fuel and everything else. I can see the life time being possible, but if your tank has alot of rust that gets sucked into the filter then what?

Im not saying everyone should go replace the filer, just asking what happens when theres less than ideal conditions on the filter?

 

[figgie]

Wouldnt the 'life time' claim only work under ideal conditions? Meaning, no rust, additive effects, stale fuel and everything else. I can see the life time being possible, but if your tank has alot of rust that gets sucked into the filter then what?

Im not saying everyone should go replace the filer, just asking what happens when theres less than ideal conditions on the filter?

not for anything

my car is an 87. 220k on the odometer.

When I oepend the fuel tank up. There was no rust what so ever. Or anything else for that matter. Rust will only happen if the tank has been sitting open air for quite some time. With gasoline helping in lubrication. It will not rust.

 

[ILikeCarsYesIDo]

not for anything

my car is an 87. 220k on the odometer.

When I oepend the fuel tank up. There was no rust what so ever. Or anything else for that matter. Rust will only happen if the tank has been sitting open air for quite some time. With gasoline helping in lubrication. It will not rust.

The inside of a fuel tank is probably the cleanest part of any car.

 

[RazoE]

that's why you use gas to clean so many things (like IC's)...

My filter probably has 245k+ miles on it, and it still runs like a champ..

 

[figgie]

The inside of a fuel tank is probably the cleanest part of any car.

it is funny. When i opened it up i was like. Wth. Looks brand new in here! The i was like, let me see something, and got a lighter so I can see inside the gas tank........:aigo:

***note: figgie is still alive and not THAT retarded to try something like that!***

 

[iwannadie]

My supra is going on 20 years old, its been in my possession for like 4 years. I have no clue what was done to it before I got it. The previous owners could have left it sitting with half a tank of gas and no gas cap on it for a year for all I know.