Are fuel filters worth getting a new one?

[InRareForm]

on a 2004 car 118k miles, haven't replaced it yet.

Does it make that much difference in MPG? speed? acceleration?

[Mavillionaire]

For the most part they are really cheap and 50/50 chance of it being an easy replacement.

For 118k, sure it wouldn't hurt. It makes a difference in all of that if it's getting clogged.

[Wild Cobra]

Regardless if you need one or not, you should replace it once in a while. Don't chince out either. Get an OEM or better.

[The_Worlds_finest]

I would say yes unless the value of your car is lower than the cost or replacing the filter

[PM5K]

The answer is yes unless it's not a maintenance item. For example on my vehicle there is no external fuel filter, it's integral to the fuel pump so you wouldn't normally change it unless the fuel pump died, it's said or thought to last the life of the pump.

[Fabbs]

The answer is yes unless it's not a maintenance item. For example on my vehicle there is no external fuel filter, it's integral to the fuel pump so you wouldn't normally change it unless the fuel pump died, it's said or thought to last the life of the pump.
This ^^

So that is the q's.

1. Is your ff external or internal.
2. If external, how easy is it to get to
3. How much $$$

If external and not too pricey, it's a no brainer, replace.
Some take 4 minutes to replace and that's counting stopping for coffee sips.
If internal and pricey, how is your car running? If no signs of ff cloggage, stick with it. However as posters have said, at X point you want to replace it whether internal or ext.

[Fabbs]

Related very much so.....

Buy gas at stations who regularly clean their filters (underground tanks).
Signs are:
Gas comes out fast. Generally the faster the better. Stations that come out slow, generally speaking that is a sign of their underground tank filters are clogged. It's not because the tanks are **low**.

Once again generally speaking, high volume stations with newer pumps and fast delivery are cleaning/replacing their filters regularly.
Don't chince out on the lower priced stations.

[InRareForm]

good stuff.

[DMC]

Yes, you should change your fuel filter. Some also collect water. Don't go cheap aftermarket on the filter. Use OEM products if you want to keep your car.

I even filter my coolant and have a bypass filter for my synthetic oil.

[Wild Cobra]

The answer is yes unless it's not a maintenance item. For example on my vehicle there is no external fuel filter, it's integral to the fuel pump so you wouldn't normally change it unless the fuel pump died, it's said or thought to last the life of the pump.
Wow...

I've never seen a car with only a filter in the tank. What a shitty design. What make and model, so I know not to buy one.

[PM5K]

A lot of Jeeps are designed that way, can't speak for anything else but I'm sure other Chrysler vehicles are designed the same way since they use a lot of the same engines.