How often should you change your fuel filter

[John77]

How often should you change your fuel filter. So many miles or years?
and where do you find it on a 2011 S212 E200 CGI?
On the Opie site it says they are lifetime. Is this correct?

 

[oigle]

I have always adopted the principle of changing fuel filter when it shows signs of blockage. What is point otherwise. The very next day you might get some dirty fuel.....

 

[brandwooddixon]

As above. Generally, if the car is in regular use and the fuel quality is good then often little need to change it.
You only really need to change it if the fuel might be contaminated either with debris or other liquids. Typically this would be after using fuel from a can or if the car has sat for a long time (read years) where the tank may have rusted above the fuel level.

 

[John77]

I have always adopted the principle of changing fuel filter when it shows signs of blockage. What is point otherwise. The very next day you might get some dirty fuel.....

Thank you.

 

[John77]

As above. Generally, if the car is in regular use and the fuel quality is good then often little need to change it.
You only really need to change it if the fuel might be contaminated either with debris or other liquids. Typically this would be after using fuel from a can or if the car has sat for a long time (read years) where the tank may have rusted above the fuel level.

Thank you.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

No good waiting till its blocked up berfore you change it,,the . damage is done by then

 

[JBell]

Think it is every 4 years on my OM642

 

[rayhennig]

I suppose fuel quality must be the predominant factor. We just changed the tank strainer in my 1991 300-24. It was 33 years old and this is it:


I've cleaned it, reversed the O-ring and it looks like new.

We fitted the new one anyway.

RayH

 

[John77]

Well as far as I know, it probably hasn't been changed since it was made in 2011. I do not have any symptoms, as far as I know, I just wondered if it should be changed every so often. I know that the fuel rail pressure sensor needs changing, as it came up on the scan and that will be my next job and this is what made me think about the filter.

 

[oigle]

No good waiting till its blocked up berfore you change it,,the . damage is done by then

What damage?

 

[DSK]

Mine are done every service, it’s a service item just like oil! Manufacturer service schedules are for brain washed idiots who think it’s cheaper to not have to service a car regularly.


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[oigle]

Mine are done every service, it’s a service item just like oil! Manufacturer service schedules are for brain washed idiots who think it’s cheaper to not have to service a car regularly.


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Mmmm. I remember the day Shell did an oil test on a group of Aussie Falcon taxis. Ran them for 90000 miles with regular 6000 mile oil changes but DID NOT change the oil filters.
Motors and filters microscopically examined at end of test. Engines were perfect and oil filters were at "half life".
What does that tell you about changing filters with every oil change? Another profit centre for dealers!!!!
Same applies with fuel filters. Totally unneccessary changes unless dirty fuel is used - that's what they are there for. Change when needed only.
My 2003 Benz diesel never had a fuel filter change in 19 years and 230,000km. Never held me up.

 

[M80]

Mmmm. I remember the day Shell did an oil test on a group of Aussie Falcon taxis. Ran them for 90000 miles with regular 6000 mile oil changes but DID NOT change the oil filters.
Motors and filters microscopically examined at end of test. Engines were perfect and oil filters were at "half life".
What does that tell you about changing filters with every oil change? Another profit centre for dealers!!!!
Same applies with fuel filters. Totally unneccessary changes unless dirty fuel is used - that's what they are there for. Change when needed only.
My 2003 Benz diesel never had a fuel filter change in 19 years and 230,000km. Never held me up.

A clogging fuel filter, and the engine will stutter or stall.
I would expect the engine to faulter under hi load as a warning.

The oil filter will bypass when blocked. Better poor oil than no oil.
But no warning and the engine may be suffering.
But I don't mind replacing every 2nd oil change.

 

[DSK]

Interesting to know!
I only run shell vpower petrol and vpower diesel so the fuel is as good as can be. However, for what filters cost and what they do, to me it’s just a case of knowing all parts are at optimum efficiency.


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[rayhennig]

What does that tell you about changing filters with every oil change?

Interesting. But when we do oil changes, the oil costs 50+€, the MB filters 8€. So we put new filters in every time. We buy them 5 at a time.

RayH

 

[mioba]

There would have been some serious neglect to have a badly blocked fuel fllter - assuming fuel not contaminated. AFAIR the MB schedule is 40k.
As above the car will stutter when given wellie if blocked.
My W220 has full MBSH and last year i took out the fuel fiilter to see it was date stamped 2004 (when my car was made) so it had never been changed in any service - no cars go now to MB -
i do mine every 4 years (about 25k).

 

[oigle]

Interesting. But when we do oil changes, the oil costs 50+€, the MB filters 8€. So we put new filters in every time. We buy them 5 at a time.

RayH

Yep. MB filters are not super dear. I baulked at my Fiat oil filter change. $45 for non gen. $80 for gen. What BS. I did my Fiat at 40000km