How a Fuel Filter Works
The average fuel filter replacement cost depends on the year, make, and model of the vehicle in question, whether it’s an in-line or in-tank filter, whether the part is OEM or aftermarket, and the repair shop that you go to.
A fuel filter alone is a very inexpensive part most of the time. In most cases, the filter alone can be had for anywhere between $10 and $40 although OEM parts can often push that up to $50 or more. In a few cases, the fuel filter is part of the fuel pump where the entire assembly may run you $2o0 to $500.
Usually, the labor cost will be more than the part itself. Most fuel filters can be replaced within an hour so plan on around $60 to $120 in labor. Some in-tank filters or those that are part of the fuel pump assembly may require additional labor time.
On average, the total cost of fuel filter replacement will be around $70 to $160 which includes parts and labor. As mentioned above, there are many factors that could increase this price. And don’t forget to account for taxes and fees.
If you have some automotive repair experience and a good shop manual on hand, you can save yourself a lot of money by doing the replacement yourself.
A fuel filter cleans the fuel of any impurities like dust particles or any form of debris present in the fuel tank that are large enough to get trapped by the fuel filter. The purpose of the fuel filter is to “filter” the fuel of such impurities before they reaches the pump.
It works similar to how an oil filter cleans engine oil and an air filter cleans the air before it gets into the combustion chamber.
The debris in the fuel tank can be in different form such as rust. This rust can form due to moisture retaining of the gas tank. Because of this rust, the fuel can get contaminated and therefore, must be cleaned by the fuel filter.
By cleaning the fuel, the fuel filter protects the engine from the potential damage which can be caused by such contamination by making sure that the fuel that goes into the fuel pump is clean and pure.
But even the best fuel filter in the world has a limited lifespan. The more contaminants it traps, the less fuel can flow through. When it gets clogged enough, you will have a fuel flow issue. You’ll want to replace the filter before it reaches that stage.
When to Replace Your Fuel Filter
The replacement interval of a fuel filter is defined by the two ways: mileage and time. Replacing the filter at a set mileage is the normal way to factor when to change your fuel filter.
For older cars and trucks, the recommended fuel filter replacement interval is usually between 20,000 and 40,000 miles. If the vehicle doesn’t get driven very often, you will still want to replace it every 2-3 years.
For modern vehicles, you can usually wait longer before replacing the fuel filter. Most manufacturers tell you to change the fuel filter somewhere between 40,000 and 80,000.
The best thing to do is follow the manufacturer’s recommendation which can usually be found in your car manual. If for some reason you don’t have access to that, call your local dealership or simply use 60,000 miles as the change interval if you have a vehicle manufactured in the last 15 or so years. Those with diesel engines will likely need to replace their fuel filters much sooner.