Informational Guide

How To Clean Fuel Filters

Knowing how to clean fuel filters on your car, motorcycle & any other gas-powered equipment is essential for increased engine life & performance.

The fuel filter is an essential part of any fuel system. As the system uses the fuel pump to supply gas to the engine, it flows through the fuel filter to trap any contaminants that could hurt the motor. When it gets dirty or clogged, you need to know how to clean the fuel filter. We discuss how to clean a dirty fuel filter so you can protect the engine. 

Main Types of Automotive Fuel Filters & Their Uses

  • Primary Fuel Filter 
    The primary fuel filter is usually included with a diesel system. It filters out contaminants, including wax and water. You will find this filter on the vacuum side of a fuel pump.
  • Secondary Fuel Filter 
    The secondary filter is also found with diesel fuel systems designed to remove finer particles. It contains tighter media than the primary filter and is mounted on the fuel pump’s pressure side.
  • Canister Fuel Filter 
    This automotive filter contains a shell with the filter inside. The majority of car fuel filters are this type, making them easy to replace. You can remove the filter and clean it when necessary.
  • Cartridge Fuel Filter 
    These fuel filters operate like the canister type, but they don’t have the outer shell. Instead, the cartridge is mounted to a box on the vehicle. This type is reusable and one of the easiest to learn how to clean a clogged fuel filter.
  • Spin-On Fuel Filter 
    The spin-on filter looks like a canister, but it spins on and off. These are some of the easiest to replace by simply removing the old filter and putting a new one in its place.
  • Inline Fuel Filter 
    This fuel filter is mounted on the line running between the engine and gas tank. The filter will typically be found under the vehicle, held in place with plastic clips or a metal bracket.
  • In-Tank Fuel Filter 
    Some fuel filters are placed in the gas tank, where they aren’t easy to access. If you want to know how to unclog a fuel filter that’s in the tank, you are looking at a much more extensive procedure.
How To Clean Fuel Filter

Benefits Of Having A Clean Fuel Filter

Do you know how often to clean the fuel filter? If you have an older vehicle, you want to do it every two years or 30,000 miles, while newer models can go longer. Here are some of the benefits of cleaning your fuel filter.

Better fuel economy

With no clogs in the fuel filter, the gas can't flow freely to the engine. When there is a clog, the fuel cannot flow, and you will be at the gas pump more often.

Protected engine

The fuel pump is responsible for protecting the pump and injectors from damage. If dirt, debris, or other contaminants get into the engine, they could cause excessive wear.

Increased engine life & performance

A clean fuel filter ensures that all contaminants are removed from the fuel, ensuring the engine gets exactly what it needs to run properly. When the engine gets pure fuel, it runs at its best, thereby increasing the performance and providing more horsepower.

Lower emissions

Clogged fuel filters keep the supply from getting to the injectors, causing an improper air-fuel ratio. This problem leads to more harmful emissions being pumped into the air.

How Do I Know If My Fuel Filter Needs Cleaning?

Do you know how to tell if a fuel filter is bad? Just like when you learn how to change an oil filter, here are a few symptoms to look for.

Trouble Starting the engine

The most obvious sign of trouble is an engine that won’t start. However, you might notice problems starting the car before the filter becomes completely clogged. This situation should become progressively worse as the filter clogs all the way.

Issues accelerating

When you step on the gas pedal, you expect your vehicle to respond. However, the car that doesn’t immediately accelerate might be suffering from a clogged fuel filter.

Frequent sputtering

As the engine struggles to get the right amount of fuel, performance will start to deteriorate. You might notice some sputtering, especially while accelerating. Otherwise, you might struggle with a rough idle.

Strong gas odors

If the exhaust is emitting strong gas fumes, it could indicate a dirty filter. Whatever the cause, you always want to have a mechanic look at the situation whenever you smell fuel.

Engine misfires/Low performance

As the engine struggles, it might start misfiring. Sometimes, learning how to clean a car fuel filter can help. However, if left unchecked, the clogged filter will eventually cause the engine to stop running.

How Do I Know If My Fuel Filter Needs Cleaning

How To Clean A Dirty Fuel Filter: Step By Step Guide

Have you been asking yourself, “can I clean a fuel filter on a car?” Yes, you can. We will review some basic steps with you, although learning how to clean a fuel filter in a gas tank can be a more complicated process.

Tools Needed:

  • Bucket
  • Wrench
  • Pressurized Carburetor Cleaner
  • Paper Towels
  • Clean Rags

Car Fuel Filter

  1. 1
    Park the vehicle on level ground.
  2. 2
    Relieve pressure in the fuel system.
  3. 3
    Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
  4. 4
    Locate the fuel filter and jack up the car if needed.
  5. 5
    Place a bucket under the filter to catch any fuel.
  6. 6
    Detach the clips holding the filter to the fuel lines.
  7. 7
    Remove the filter from the bracket with your wrench.
  8. 8
    Pour out the gas located in the filter.
  9. 9
    Spray the filter out with pressurized carburetor cleaner.
  10. 10
    Tap any debris out of the filter.
  11. 11
    Allow it to dry for an hour.
  12. 12
    Reinstall the filter and fuel lines in reverse order.
  13. 13
    Carefully dispose of the fuel.

Motorcycle Fuel Filter

If you want to know how to clean a motorcycle fuel filter, you will find the steps are very similar to working on a car. Here’s how to clean a fuel filter on a motorcycle with most models.

  1. 1
    Remove the fuel filter from the hose. Remember to use a bucket to catch any spilling fuel.
  2. 2
    Be careful working with the filter as the casing is plastic and can be easily damaged.
  3. 3
    Spray the filter out with pressurized carburetor cleaner.
  4. 4
    Tap any debris out of the filter.
  5. 5
    Allow it to dry for an hour.
  6. 6
    Replace the filter back onto the bike. Secure it to the hose.

Leaf Blower Fuel Filter

Follow these steps if you want to learn how to clean a fuel filter on a leaf blower.

  1. 1
    Remove the spark plug wire.
  2. 2
    Turn the choke knob to the middle position.
  3. 3
    Take out the screws from the fuel filter cover.
  4. 4
    Use a rag to remove dirt and debris from around the filter.
  5. 5
    Remove the filter from the housing and wash it with soapy water.
  6. 6
    Allow it to dry for an hour on a paper towel.
  7. 7
    Replace the filter element and reinstall the housing.

Chainsaw Fuel Filter

Follow these steps if you want to know how to clean a chainsaw fuel filter.

  1. 1
    Remove the weight and back-end cap.
  2. 2
    Take the sponge out.
  3. 3
    Clean it with soap and water.
  4. 4
    Allow the sponge to dry completely before reinstalling it.

Lawn Mower Fuel Filter

Follow these steps to learn how to clean a lawn mower fuel filter.

  1. 1
    Park the lawnmower on a flat surface.
  2. 2
    Take out the fuel pump fuse and disconnect the battery terminals.
  3. 3
    Disconnect the fuel lines and remove the filter.
  4. 4
    Clean the filter with soap and water.
  5. 5
    Allow it to dry completely before putting the lawn mower back together.

Weed Eater Fuel Filter

Follow these steps to learn how to clean weed eater fuel filter.

  1. 1
    Take off the gas cap and turn the weed eater over carefully, allowing the gas to drain into a can.
  2. 2
    Remove the rubber fuel line entering the gas tank.
  3. 3
    Take off the fuel filter at the end of the line.
  4. 4
    Scrub out the filter with soap and water.
  5. 5
    Use compressed air to blow-dry it slightly.
  6. 6
    Allow it to air dry completely.
  7. 7
    Reattach the filter and fuel link.

Snow Blower Fuel Filter

Follow these steps to learn how to clean a snow blower fuel filter.

  1. 1
    Park the snow blower on a flat surface.
  2. 2
    Take out the fuel pump fuse and disconnect the battery terminals.
  3. 3
    Disconnect the fuel lines and remove the filter.
  4. 4
    Clean the filter with soap and water.
  5. 5
    Allow it to dry completely before putting the snow blower back together.

Boat Fuel Filter

It isn’t difficult to learn how to clean an outboard fuel filter. Follow these steps if you want to know how to change a fuel filter on a boat.

  1. 1
    Disconnect the battery.
  2. 2
    Find the fuel filter; there might be two depending on your boat.
  3. 3
    Turn the filter and allow the fuel to drain into a bucket.
  4. 4
    Clean the filter media and allow it to dry completely.
  5. 5
    Put the fuel filter back and connect the battery.

Cleaning Vs. Replacing A Fuel Filter

Cleaning a fuel filter is much easier than learning how to clean fuel injectors. Still, some people would prefer to learn how to replace a fuel filter instead of cleaning it. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each option.

Cleaning Pros

  • Saves money
  • Can be done with household tools
  • Doesn’t take any experience
  • Helps engine run better

Cleaning Cons

  • Can be messy
  • Doesn’t always increase performance

Replacing Pros

  • Doesn’t cost a lot
  • Know the filter is clean
  • Doesn’t take any experience
  • Helps engine run better

Replacing Cons

  • Costs more than cleaning
  • Sometimes requires replacing more than one

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can you clean a fuel filter without removing it?

If you don’t want to figure out how to remove a fuel filter, you might prefer using a fuel additive for entire system cleaning. However, this isn’t going to be as effective as taking the filter off.

How do you clean a 2-cycle fuel filter?

Learning how to clean a 2 cycle fuel filter isn't different from working with an automotive filter. You need to take it off, clean it, allow it to dry, and replace it.

How much is a fuel filter to replace?

You might be wondering - how much is a fuel filter? Most filters are only $10 to $60, which shows that sometimes it’s just better to replace it rather than clean it.

How much does it cost to clean a fuel filter?

Still, when you figure out how much to clean a fuel filter versus replacing it, you see you can save some money with this option. All you need are some common household products to get the job done.

Conclusion

Most fuel filters can be cleaned. We’ve even looked at how to clean a diesel fuel filter. If you want to save some money while caring for your engines performance, consider cleaning it instead of replacing it.

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