Problem Solved - Bad Fuel Filter!!!

[Zilverado]

Well, I posted this original issue of trouble on a road trip a while back...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ormance+issues

So this weekend after another 3-hour trip pulling the trailer, and experiencing similar (but worse) symptoms, I thought of checking the fuel filter (at the campground) and whalla!!! She was gunky.

I didn't think seriously of it before, 'cause it was only a couple of months old. But I guess the new fuel pump along with the fact that I drew a tank down to the bottom caused a sudden blockage. A friend of mine told me this had happened to him before as well, right after changing out a pump. The newer, more powerful pump will pick up sludge in the tank that the previous pump left alone - go figure.

So, I managed to pick up a new filter at the small town where we were camping, and all is well. The return trip was a breaze. Here's a photo of the culprit...

[Malo83]

Good catch Z-man , it's amazing how the smallest and least expensive parts can cause us so much grief , did you cut the filter open and see what all the crud was? I need to change my filter also , been a while

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by Malo83

Good catch Z-man , it's amazing how the smallest and least expensive parts can cause us so much grief , did you cut the filter open and see what all the crud was? I need to change my filter also , been a while

Yeah, you gotta love doing vehicle repairs using the spare "jingly stuff" in your pocket.

Actually I still have the filter in the back of the truck - I'll cut it tonight. Great idea. I'm curious to see as well. I'll post a pic if it's worth it.

[Srubydo1986]

thats good and i agree canada has some clean air.

[Zilverado]

So, I got around to cutting the filter tonight and found this. I'm just guessing, but I imagine the sand isn't original equipment.

[killthewabbit]

Wow!

[GMC69]

WOW, that much sand fit in that little filter!

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by GMC69

WOW, that much sand fit in that little filter!

Yeah, it surprised me too. Actually, the pile in the picture is pretty shallow, but needless to say, it's a fair amount of crud - about 1/2 teaspoon. Just imagine what might have happened if the filter hadn't caught it. No wonder that the engine was not getting the necessary fuel.

The question is - - how did all this crud get into my fuel tanks???

[GMC69]

If your getting sand in there from a possible hole on top, then there may be water getting in. The truck I bought about a month ago, wasn't running properly, that is one reason the owner sold it and bought a newer truck. Anyhow the tank was fiberglasses at one point and ended up letting go allowing water to get in, since the sending unit lines up great with the gap between the cab and box. Anyhow I had a good 1/2" -1" of water in the bottom of the tank.

[jimfulco]

I thought the fuel was supposed to flow from outside to inside???

Sand may be from your friendly local gas station's tank.

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by jimfulco

I thought the fuel was supposed to flow from outside to inside???

Sand may be from your friendly local gas station's tank.

No, the fuel is actually pushed into the center of the filter and out through the sides (opposite to an air filter). And this confirms that.

For the most part, I fill up at a brand new local station near my place that has only been in operation for a short time. While it's not completely impossible that the sand came from their underground tanks, I suspect the residue has been sitting at the bottom of my tanks for a while - just waitng for the new (tighter/more powerful) fuel pump to just suck it up.

Either way, I'll be keeping an eye on the filter until I am convinced there fuel is clean.

[Malo83]

HOLY Sheeet!!! Z-man it might be time to flush out those fuel lines and drop that fuel tank for a big time FLUSH can't believe how much sand was packing that filter

[Rc 415]

wheres the fuel filter located i think i wanna check mine now...

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by Malo83

HOLY Sheeet!!! Z-man it might be time to flush out those fuel lines and drop that fuel tank for a big time FLUSH can't believe how much sand was packing that filter

Probably not a bad idea - - another thing on the list...

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by Rc 415

wheres the fuel filter located i think i wanna check mine now...

This one is inside the front of the carb - just where the steel fuel line from the pump goes into the carb. The fuel line 5/8" "flare nut" unscrews from the filter fitting, and then a larger wrench is used to unscrew this fitting from the carb. The filter is in behind that. Simple.

[ChaseDale3and8]

I started having the same problem with my truck too. Stalling, dying, sputtering, acting like it's starving for fuel, having to floor it to get going and to keep speed up.

I bought a new fuel filter and fuel pump for mine last weekend but haven't put them on yet. Plan to do that this weekend to see if it clears up my problem.

After seeing this post I think I'll just try the fuel filter first and see what happens. I don't know when the last time mine was changed....if ever.

Fuel filter is easy to change. It's located at the end of the fuel line where it goes into the carb. Disconncet the fuel line from the carb, then unscrew the big nut on the carb that the fuel line attaches to. The fuel filter is right behind it. ...Joe