After a long time of use, various minor problems will slowly emerge in diesel engine equipment: increased fuel consumption, poor power, and poor starting. You may first think of checking the fuel injection system or air filter, but don’t ignore a key component – the Fuel Filter. Once it is blocked, even the best engine will have a greatly reduced performance if it encounters contaminated oil. Let’s take a look at how to judge whether your fuel filter should be replaced.
Phenomena Indicates That Your Fuel Filter May Have Problems
The main function of the fuel filter is to filter impurities, moisture, and sediment in diesel and protect components such as fuel injectors and fuel pumps. But once it is blocked, the fuel supply is not smooth, and the performance of the equipment is immediately affected. The following manifestations are signals you should pay attention to:
Difficulty starting or ignition failure: A blocked filter prevents the fuel supply, and the engine will have difficulty igniting, especially in cold weather or when the equipment has not been started for a long time.
Acceleration is weak, and load capacity is reduced: the oil supply in the oil circuit is limited, resulting in insufficient power output, and the machine cannot be lifted.
Unstable idle speed and obvious shaking: the fuel enters the injection system unstably, which will make the engine run unsmoothly.
Abnormally increased fuel consumption: inaccurate control of the injection amount may cause fuel waste. Exhaust smoke becomes thicker and has a peculiar smell: incomplete combustion is also one of the manifestations of dirty oil entering the combustion chamber.
If your equipment has recently encountered the above problems, and the problems of air filter and battery have been ruled out, it is very likely that the Fuel Filter is “out of order”.
First Step to Solve the Problem: Timely Replacement of High-quality Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is not replaced only when it is broken, it has a clear replacement cycle. It is usually recommended to replace it every 500 hours or every 6 months, but if your working environment is dusty and the diesel quality is unstable, you have to check and replace it more frequently.
There are a few points to note when replacing:
When replacing the Fuel Filter, the first step is to ensure that the selected filter element is fully matched with the equipment model, especially the specifications of the interface thread, the length of the filter element and whether the material meets the original factory standards, otherwise it may cause loose installation or substandard filtering effect. Before replacement, the air in the fuel system should be exhausted in advance to avoid air blockage and affect the start or operation of the engine. During the installation process, before tightening the joint, be sure to carefully check whether the seal is intact, because a loose seal will not only cause fuel leakage but also affect the stability of the entire fuel supply system.
There are many filter element brands on the market, but the compatibility and filtration efficiency vary. It is recommended to give priority to highly compatible products provided by professional platforms, such as the fuel filter series, which have high adaptability and stable filtering effect, and can effectively extend the service life of the injection system and the engine.
How to Extend the Service Life of the Fuel Filter?
Although the filter is a consumable, it is not installed and ignored. Regular maintenance can make it more stable and play a longer role.
In order to extend the service life of the Fuel Filter, routine maintenance is also very critical. First of all, clean diesel from regular sources should be used as much as possible, because low-quality fuel often contains a lot of impurities and water, which will greatly shorten the service life of the filter element. In addition, most diesel filters are equipped with sink cups. If the equipment is often operated in humid areas in the south or in the rainy season, it is necessary to regularly open the drain bolts for drainage to prevent water from entering the fuel supply system.
At the same time, the installation and fastening of the filter element should also be checked regularly, because once it is loose or not sealed tightly, it is easy to cause air inlet or oil leakage. Finally, the aging of the oil pipe and the cleaning of the return oil pipe cannot be ignored. Dirty return oil may cause secondary pollution, thereby affecting the filtering effect of the Fuel Filter and the stability of the whole machine operation. Pay attention to the aging of the oil pipe and the cleaning of the return oil pipe: Dirty return oil will also cause secondary pollution to the filter.
These seemingly small actions, which seem to be details, can effectively protect the fuel filter and the entire fuel system and improve the operating efficiency of the equipment if they are persisted for a long time.
Conclusion
The fuel filter is a small component, but it is related to the stable operation of the entire fuel supply system. Waiting for the equipment to break down before changing it will not only delay the construction period, but may also cause greater losses. The correct approach is to check regularly, replace on time, and purchase reliable, quality filter elements to keep the equipment in good condition.
If you are not sure which Fuel Filter to use for your equipment, welcome to FridayParts to check the model and select the accessories. We provide multi-brand and multi-model fuel filter solutions, so that you can purchase without worry and install it, and use it immediately.
