Fuel Filter

[deserth3]

Where is the fuel filter?? And how often should it be replaced? I can't seem to find this info in the owners manual and I obviously can't seem to find it on the truck.

[f5fstop]

It is in the fuel tank, and there is no need to change unless it is too dirty to pass fuel (I was going to say pass gas).
In this day and age of clean fuel, normally a filter never requires changing. In the olden days, when fuel was pumped into a steel tank, and it rusted, dirty fuel was pumped into your metal fuel tank. Thus you had **** floating in your fuel.
Nowadays, thanks the the EPA, there are no metal in-ground tanks, all are fiberglass, and thanks to the exploding vehicles, your fuel tank is plastic and will crush and not break. So, the fuel tends to stay clean.
Not to say you could not get a bad batch of fuel, and if you do, it requires removing the fuel tank, but the odds are pretty slim.

If someday, you should notice that you vehicle idles great, and slowly accelerates great, but when floored it stalls out, it is time to have someone perform some pressure testing. This is one indication of a clogged fuel filter. When idling or slowly accelerating, enough fuel makes it through a dirty filter, when floored, the engine starves for fuel and studders and/or stalls.

[milbrath47]

Damn! You sure know your gas!

[deserth3]

Sounds great in theory. Just hope it works well in practice.

The more I think about this the more I get the feeling the conversation to put the fuel filter in the gas tank ended in "Make this work".

Time to start buying gas at the top of the hill. But thanks for the info.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by deserth3

Sounds great in theory. Just hope it works well in practice.

Time to start buying gas at the top of the hill. But thanks for the info.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Internal fuel filters are used on lots of newer vehicles, and if there were consistent issues, it would rapidly cause design changes.

And even if you do get bad gas and have to change the filter, it's a lot easier than it sounds. I helped a buddy change his fuel pump/filter on his 98 Chevy pickup (1500) - 2 hrs max to drop the tank, change the pump, and re-install. Hardest part was finding a brass punch to release the pump from the tank without causing a spark.

[deserth3]

That make sme feel a little better. I didn't know they've been putting fuel filters in the tank the last couple of years. I've had to deal with Chevy Blazer fuel pumps. Not a fun job replacing them.

[f5fstop]

It's a sock type filter that fits over the intake for the fuel pump. Eldave is right, the tank is not hard to remove; especially on the H3. The hard part is draining the fuel if the tank is full.
Now if you had a vehicle with the tank split with a rear axle under it...have fun.

PS I helped raise three boys, so yes, I do know my gas.