Fuel filter problem .. with a twist
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 228
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From: North of San Francisco
14 E550, 07 E550, 69 Mach I, 65 Hipo, 66 Fairlane GTA Conv, 66 Fairlane GT
Fuel filter problem .. with a twist
I replaced my fuel filter last week. A couple of days later I hear my fuel pump working overtime in a rhythmic pattern (loud for 1 sec the quiet for 1 sec) - not good. So I raise the car a bit and the fuel pump is very hot to the touch. So, I put in another filter and all is good.
Here's the twist. For the two days the bum filter was on the car, my mileage jumped 10% to 15%. This is not based on a feeling. I check my mileage every day as my commute is 75 miles each way and I consistently get 23 to 28 MPG (28.1 high). On two legs with the bum filter I got 28.5 and 29.2. I did not notice any performance drop.
My guess is the filter has a spring loaded valve in it and my bum filter had excessive spring pressure making the pump work harder (higher pressure). This higher pressure had a positive effect on mileage by, perhaps, overcoming clogged fuel injectors (better spray pattern) or because???
Anyway, I'd like to figure out why I had the mileage spike as I believe it due to a fault somewhere in my fuel system. All ideas welcome.
Here's the twist. For the two days the bum filter was on the car, my mileage jumped 10% to 15%. This is not based on a feeling. I check my mileage every day as my commute is 75 miles each way and I consistently get 23 to 28 MPG (28.1 high). On two legs with the bum filter I got 28.5 and 29.2. I did not notice any performance drop.
My guess is the filter has a spring loaded valve in it and my bum filter had excessive spring pressure making the pump work harder (higher pressure). This higher pressure had a positive effect on mileage by, perhaps, overcoming clogged fuel injectors (better spray pattern) or because???
Anyway, I'd like to figure out why I had the mileage spike as I believe it due to a fault somewhere in my fuel system. All ideas welcome.
