Fuel Filter On Newer Trucks

[Pilot12]

I keep reading here and learning about my new truck. My latest surprise is finding out the fuel filter is inside the tank rather than inline.

 

My '88 Chevy needed 5 inline filter replacements over 87,000 miles (first one at 3000). I had to replace the pump just before trading. The cost for replacing the pump (tank removal) was about $500 compared to a $12 DIY filter job.

 

Why the helll would GM put the filter inside? I hope I'm missing some improvement that makes filter changes a thing of the past, but I can't imagine what. I'm concerned this is going to be an ongoing issue as long as I own the truck. Even if the new filters go twice as long, it's still a tank removal job (and tow) every 30,000 miles.

 

What's the consensus? Anybody had a clogged filter in their '04 or newer truck?

[RyanbabZ71]

supposed to be a lifetime filter

[Pilot12]

supposed to be a lifetime filter

 

How can that be? Does anybody know what technological advance makes this possible? I know there's still a lot of crap in our gasoline. And I know that since I only drive about 4k a year, the gas sits in there a while and that doesn't do it any good.

[Darkanion]

supposed to be a lifetime filter

 

How can that be? Does anybody know what technological advance makes this possible? I know there's still a lot of crap in our gasoline. And I know that since I only drive about 4k a year, the gas sits in there a while and that doesn't do it any good.

 

No, I think he meant the filter lasts the lifetime of the filter, not the vehicle..

[brims]

Just like our ungreasable ball joints and other suspension parts. Lifetime of the part.

[AgDoctor]

there isnt money in fuel filters that YOU can change, take it to the good ole GM Goodwrench! But you can take the one out of your tank and add one yourself if you desired.

[redvett]

If you take the filter out of the tank then the pump will pump dirty fuel and die quickly. The returnless system is very trouble free. Dont waste the time or money, many trucks & cars have way over 150K on OEM installed pumps.

 

there isnt money in fuel filters that YOU can change, take it to the good ole GM Goodwrench! But you can take the one out of your tank and add one yourself if you desired.

[pwall]

My '02 has 200K kms (135K miles)...no issue with the filter.

All my other GM vechicles (cars), same story.

[redvett]

Your truck has a recirculating system and the pickups starting in 2004 got the returnless system.

 

My '02 has 200K kms (135K miles)...no issue with the filter.

All my other GM vechicles (cars), same story.

[Spurshot]

"Lifetime" ... yeah, a quark has a lifetime. 'Hope my filter lasts longer.

[C. Charles Hahn]

"Lifetime" ... yeah, a quark has a lifetime. 'Hope my filter lasts longer.

 

Agreed. I don't like non-serviceable parts, just like the damn non-greaseable ball joints!

[bemr]

Agreed. I don't like non-serviceable parts, just like the damn non-greaseable ball joints!

 

Lifetime parts are great marketing - consumers think they're saving money by not having to have the part serviced, dealers still charge the same rates as when they did service the part during routine maintenance, and the manufacturers charge more for the replacement parts.

 

Everybody wins except us

[Pilot12]

"Lifetime" ... yeah, a quark has a lifetime. 'Hope my filter lasts longer.

 

Agreed. I don't like non-serviceable parts, just like the damn non-greaseable ball joints!

 

My last truck had no adjustments on the front end; couldn't align it. Chevy said it would never need an alignment! On a 4x4 off road truck? Sheesh. Had to spend $$ to get that changed too.

 

So, am I to understand that a "returnless" system doesn't get clogged up by impurities in the gas?

[Darkanion]

I don't like non-serviceable parts, just like the damn non-greaseable ball joints!

 

Yeah, but those aren't as bad as the non-ballable grease joints!

[WilliamBos]

If you take the filter out of the tank then the pump will pump dirty fuel and die quickly. The returnless system is very trouble free. Dont waste the time or money, many trucks & cars have way over 150K on OEM installed pumps.

 

'pineland' there isnt money in fuel filters that YOU can change, take it to the good ole GM Goodwrench! But you can take the one out of your tank and add one yourself if you desired.

 

I am @ 150,000 kms/93,750 miles and not one issue, knock on wood.

 

As long as you do not buy your gas from Bob's used gas, you should be OK.