Inside the old Fuel Filter...pics :)
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Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 244
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From: New York, USA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Inside the old Fuel Filter...pics :)
So as I have no history of my jeep and it's over 200K I've decided to put new fuel filter in. And after I did, the curiosity started eating me, as what's inside, as it was noted that there's no really way to know if the filter ok or how bad it is just by looking at it 
So I went ahead and cut its skull, which was not so easy, btw. So now I know, sort of ...well, it was pretty damn rusty. I am attaching pictures, just for hey of it and in case somebody may be interested to see how an old fuel filter may look inside
So I went ahead and cut its skull, which was not so easy, btw. So now I know, sort of ...well, it was pretty damn rusty. I am attaching pictures, just for hey of it and in case somebody may be interested to see how an old fuel filter may look inside
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CF Veteran
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I'd recommend replacing the fuel filter and the pre-filter and putting new hoses on the pump inside the tank. On my 91 the pre-filter was completely clogged with silt and the hoses on the pump inside the tank were pretty much shot.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
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Model: Cherokee
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 244
Likes: 4
From: New York, USA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Hi, guys, was away from computer ....i'm back
OK, ....
First I have no idea how many miles on that filter, as I have no clue about anything ...no history, the guy I've got the jeep was not original owner and had it for a short period, so he didn't know anything, nor I really care to dig, as it would not be a "relyable info anyway.... so I am going through the machine "block by block" sort of speak, trying to cover what I am guessing would be a priority..hah hah, I wish I knew clearly .... so guessing that's all I've got
Now I'd say the reason for why I've got so curious about it was because I didn't know how old the filter was, so after I replaced it I wanted to know what have I done, did I do "right" or did I just replace a perfectly fine filter? .
And secondary I just wanted to know what's inside. 
The filter was kinda rusty outside and the bracket and the mounting screw were really badly rusted - those are not really a cleare evidence of being old/bad, but I didn't like what I saw and I've decided to change it "preventively".
Was I having issues with the filter? hmmmm, that's a good question. But It's hard to tell... nothing major in your face. I didn't analyse (huh, that is not to say that I knew how to ...lol)... I only can gues what dirty filter may affect something performance wise, but the truck was running ok.
Now to the point from ZachsXJ's post. When I was removing the old one, first I disconnected the "OUT" pipe and drained the fuel from the filter into the pan, the fuel there was pretty clear. But then when I disconnected the "IN" pipe and drained some left over from there - the fuel was somewhat like ice-tea color, not too muddy or something like coffe ...
So I guess the filter in such condition still was doing its work at least to a point. Now, I don't want to draw any conclusions here, realy, as I don't really know what I am talking about... it's just what I have from this "experience". I would imagine that dirty filter like that may "apply" more resistance to the fuel flow, would it make pump work harder than it should (or say could) ????, also it may not filter-out the crap from the fuel as good as new/clean one would(???)...that "paper" is pretty oily to touch and is kind of hard and solid. Now, I have never opened a brand new filter...so I don't know how it should be so I could compare maby heh heh ...LOL
**********
Q: "Just curios how tough of a job was it and about how long did it take?"
Which job?
Do you mean to replace the filter or to cut one open?
To replace this type of filter I'd say is one of the easiest things to do.
To cut the fiter was a bit of a PITA, I must say, especially since it was very dificult to justify why on earth am I doing this ...
Q: "I am guessing this is the one from inside the tank? "
No, this is in-line filter (mine jeep is '96). The filter is "hanging in" in the fuel line, between the hose from the pump(in the gass tank) and the steel line. So it's an easy target
OK, ....
First I have no idea how many miles on that filter, as I have no clue about anything ...no history, the guy I've got the jeep was not original owner and had it for a short period, so he didn't know anything, nor I really care to dig, as it would not be a "relyable info anyway.... so I am going through the machine "block by block" sort of speak, trying to cover what I am guessing would be a priority..hah hah, I wish I knew clearly .... so guessing that's all I've got
Now I'd say the reason for why I've got so curious about it was because I didn't know how old the filter was, so after I replaced it I wanted to know what have I done, did I do "right" or did I just replace a perfectly fine filter? .
And secondary I just wanted to know what's inside. The filter was kinda rusty outside and the bracket and the mounting screw were really badly rusted - those are not really a cleare evidence of being old/bad, but I didn't like what I saw and I've decided to change it "preventively".
Was I having issues with the filter? hmmmm, that's a good question. But It's hard to tell... nothing major in your face. I didn't analyse (huh, that is not to say that I knew how to ...lol)... I only can gues what dirty filter may affect something performance wise, but the truck was running ok.
Now to the point from ZachsXJ's post. When I was removing the old one, first I disconnected the "OUT" pipe and drained the fuel from the filter into the pan, the fuel there was pretty clear. But then when I disconnected the "IN" pipe and drained some left over from there - the fuel was somewhat like ice-tea color, not too muddy or something like coffe ...
So I guess the filter in such condition still was doing its work at least to a point. Now, I don't want to draw any conclusions here, realy, as I don't really know what I am talking about... it's just what I have from this "experience". I would imagine that dirty filter like that may "apply" more resistance to the fuel flow, would it make pump work harder than it should (or say could) ????, also it may not filter-out the crap from the fuel as good as new/clean one would(???)...that "paper" is pretty oily to touch and is kind of hard and solid. Now, I have never opened a brand new filter...so I don't know how it should be so I could compare maby heh heh ...LOL
**********
Q: "Just curios how tough of a job was it and about how long did it take?"
Which job?
Do you mean to replace the filter or to cut one open?
To replace this type of filter I'd say is one of the easiest things to do.
To cut the fiter was a bit of a PITA, I must say, especially since it was very dificult to justify why on earth am I doing this ...
Q: "I am guessing this is the one from inside the tank? "
No, this is in-line filter (mine jeep is '96). The filter is "hanging in" in the fuel line, between the hose from the pump(in the gass tank) and the steel line. So it's an easy target
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,145
Likes: 0
Hi, guys, was away from computer ....i'm back
OK, ....
First I have no idea how many miles on that filter, as I have no clue about anything ...no history, the guy I've got the jeep was not original owner and had it for a short period, so he didn't know anything, nor I really care to dig, as it would not be a "relyable info anyway.... so I am going through the machine "block by block" sort of speak, trying to cover what I am guessing would be a priority..hah hah, I wish I knew clearly .... so guessing that's all I've got
Now I'd say the reason for why I've got so curious about it was because I didn't know how old the filter was, so after I replaced it I wanted to know what have I done, did I do "right" or did I just replace a perfectly fine filter? . And secondary I just wanted to know what's inside.
The filter was kinda rusty outside and the bracket and the mounting screw were really badly rusted - those are not really a cleare evidence of being old/bad, but I didn't like what I saw and I've decided to change it "preventively".
Was I having issues with the filter? hmmmm, that's a good question. But It's hard to tell... nothing major in your face. I didn't analyse (huh, that is not to say that I knew how to ...lol)... I only can gues what dirty filter may affect something performance wise, but the truck was running ok.
Now to the point from ZachsXJ's post. When I was removing the old one, first I disconnected the "OUT" pipe and drained the fuel from the filter into the pan, the fuel there was pretty clear. But then when I disconnected the "IN" pipe and drained some left over from there - the fuel was somewhat like ice-tea color, not too muddy or something like coffe ...
So I guess the filter in such condition still was doing its work at least to a point. Now, I don't want to draw any conclusions here, realy, as I don't really know what I am talking about... it's just what I have from this "experience". I would imagine that dirty filter like that may "apply" more resistance to the fuel flow, would it make pump work harder than it should (or say could) ????, also it may not filter-out the crap from the fuel as good as new/clean one would(???)...that "paper" is pretty oily to touch and is kind of hard and solid. Now, I have never opened a brand new filter...so I don't know how it should be so I could compare maby heh heh ...LOL
**********
Q: "Just curios how tough of a job was it and about how long did it take?"
Which job?
Do you mean to replace the filter or to cut one open?
To replace this type of filter I'd say is one of the easiest things to do.
To cut the fiter was a bit of a PITA, I must say, especially since it was very dificult to justify why on earth am I doing this ...
Q: "I am guessing this is the one from inside the tank? "
No, this is in-line filter (mine jeep is '96). The filter is "hanging in" in the fuel line, between the hose from the pump(in the gass tank) and the steel line. So it's an easy target
OK, ....
First I have no idea how many miles on that filter, as I have no clue about anything ...no history, the guy I've got the jeep was not original owner and had it for a short period, so he didn't know anything, nor I really care to dig, as it would not be a "relyable info anyway.... so I am going through the machine "block by block" sort of speak, trying to cover what I am guessing would be a priority..hah hah, I wish I knew clearly .... so guessing that's all I've got
Now I'd say the reason for why I've got so curious about it was because I didn't know how old the filter was, so after I replaced it I wanted to know what have I done, did I do "right" or did I just replace a perfectly fine filter? .
And secondary I just wanted to know what's inside. The filter was kinda rusty outside and the bracket and the mounting screw were really badly rusted - those are not really a cleare evidence of being old/bad, but I didn't like what I saw and I've decided to change it "preventively".
Was I having issues with the filter? hmmmm, that's a good question. But It's hard to tell... nothing major in your face. I didn't analyse (huh, that is not to say that I knew how to ...lol)... I only can gues what dirty filter may affect something performance wise, but the truck was running ok.
Now to the point from ZachsXJ's post. When I was removing the old one, first I disconnected the "OUT" pipe and drained the fuel from the filter into the pan, the fuel there was pretty clear. But then when I disconnected the "IN" pipe and drained some left over from there - the fuel was somewhat like ice-tea color, not too muddy or something like coffe ...
So I guess the filter in such condition still was doing its work at least to a point. Now, I don't want to draw any conclusions here, realy, as I don't really know what I am talking about... it's just what I have from this "experience". I would imagine that dirty filter like that may "apply" more resistance to the fuel flow, would it make pump work harder than it should (or say could) ????, also it may not filter-out the crap from the fuel as good as new/clean one would(???)...that "paper" is pretty oily to touch and is kind of hard and solid. Now, I have never opened a brand new filter...so I don't know how it should be so I could compare maby heh heh ...LOL
**********
Q: "Just curios how tough of a job was it and about how long did it take?"
Which job?
Do you mean to replace the filter or to cut one open?
To replace this type of filter I'd say is one of the easiest things to do.
To cut the fiter was a bit of a PITA, I must say, especially since it was very dificult to justify why on earth am I doing this ...
Q: "I am guessing this is the one from inside the tank? "
No, this is in-line filter (mine jeep is '96). The filter is "hanging in" in the fuel line, between the hose from the pump(in the gass tank) and the steel line. So it's an easy target
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,417
Likes: 58
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I wonder what mine would look like... Its a 89 and I dont know if the filter has ever been changed. Apparently the PO knew how to change diff fluid, but not how to check/change oil, when I got it it was 2 qts low... Anyway, the only place I can really get filters around here is walmart, and all they sell it FRAM, I know fram oil filters are a nono, but what about the fuel filters?