Fuel Filter at 20K Miles?

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May 16, 2008 | 04:20 PM

R-WEST

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From: Somerset County, PA

Fuel Filter at 20K Miles?

Had my '07 EL at the dealer today for an oil change, and the guy asked if I wanted my fuel filter changed. It only has 20,000 miles on it. Does 20K for a fuel filter change sound right?

He said the air filter is probably due, too.

May 16, 2008 | 05:05 PM

greenego

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From: Brunswick, Maryland

I honestly don't know how long a gas filter could go. My 89 truck has gone well over a 100,000 miles since it last had a new gas filter and my 01 superduty (gasser) is at 72000 right now without a gas filter problem. I think it would be just a matter of preference whenever you feel it would be convenient to change it unless of course you actually had one to plug up. I've had lots of vehicles that were run in excess of 90000 miles and have never experienced a gas filter problem. Even some high mileage filters that I've changed weren't dirty. If I was going to do a fuel filter change on a schedule (which I don't) I would probably do them at 50000 mile intervals. As you can see I don't know the manufacturers recommended change intervals but these filters have proven to me to be pretty much maintenance free. Just my opinion. As far as air filters go I change mine every 20,000 as they do accumulate a lot of crud in them.

May 16, 2008 | 09:59 PM

YoGeorge

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From: Detroit

20k sounds way to early to me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by R-WEST

Had my '07 EL at the dealer today for an oil change, and the guy asked if I wanted my fuel filter changed. It only has 20,000 miles on it. Does 20K for a fuel filter change sound right?

He said the air filter is probably due, too.

I've gone 50k, 70k, and even 100k on fuel filters and have never had one plug up. I do get my gas at Costco these days, and before that, would buy it at big-name high-volume gas stations that go thru a lot of gas. I'd imagine you'd be more likely to have fuel filter problems if you bought gas at no-name stations, or mom-and-pop stations in the sticks that have older (leaking or rusty) tanks, and that don't move a lot of fuel through them.

I did change my '02 E150 filter at 60k, just because it seemed like it might be about time...

Air filters, though, are more of a 20k-30k change proposition for me.

George

May 17, 2008 | 06:34 PM

LxMan1

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From: Louisville,Ky.

Check the owners manual and go by that schedule.

May 28, 2008 | 01:04 PM

R-WEST

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From: Somerset County, PA

Quote:

Check the owners manual and go by that schedule.

Hmmm. Checked it - it says to change at 30K. Figured something sounded a bit fishy. Nice try, Mr. Service Mgr.

Actually, I don't think I've ever changed a fuel filter at less than 50K before. Mebbe I should read the O.M. once in a while.