Purpose of fuel filters
All internal combustion engines are equipped with filters to clean the fuel before entering the cylinders.
They hold particles larger than the pore diameter.
- Fuel contaminants can be clay particles, paint components, rust elements or trapped debris.
- The fact that they end up in the fuel cannot be blamed on the manufacturers, because at the refinery, before the fuel is sent for sale, it is carefully filtered.
- Sources of dirt often turn out to be tanks, containers, canisters into which fuel is often poured and pumped before refueling the tank of a car.
Each time fuel is poured into a container, sediment rises from its bottom, which was previously lying at the bottom of the container.
A similar mixing occurs when transporting a tank to a gas station or dump point. In this way, unsettled pollutant particles are poured into vehicle tanks.
The best air filters from European manufacturers
European manufacturers of air filters for cars produce products in different price segments. The best companies have their own research centers that develop technologies that increase the service life and productivity of components. Most companies produce fuel, cabin, and air filters for European-made cars.
Filtron
The Polish manufacturer produces 2,300 types of filters for European, Asian and American cars. Spare parts are supplied to the assembly lines of such giants as Volkswagen, Ford, Daewoo. The assortment includes aftermarket parts that are of consistent quality. The company produces spare parts for cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, buses and special equipment.
Filtron products are distinguished by the impeccable quality of polyurethane gaskets, which ensures good tightness. This allows the use of consumables for operation in difficult conditions. The corrugations are stabilized using a perforated coating developed by Polish engineers. All folds are distributed evenly and do not stick together.
Advantages:
- Effective filtration at a level of several microns;
- Availability of European certificates;
- Good protection against counterfeiting is the presence of holograms and QR codes;
- Average resource 16-18 thousand km. when operating in city conditions;
- Durable frame;
- Exact geometry and correspondence in size to the originals.
Flaws:
- In off-road conditions, the resource is reduced to 8-9 thousand km.
When producing air filters, Filtron uses a filter media that is resistant to the spread of fire. This prevents a fire from starting if cigarette butts or hot coals are accidentally sucked into the air supply system.
Bosch
German air filters for passenger cars are known all over the world. Consumables are supplied for BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz conveyors. The catalog contains products for the aftermarket that meet the standards of car manufacturers. You can buy components for European, American and Japanese cars. The product has good performance and low air flow resistance.
The company has its own research and development center, which develops materials used in the production of filters for trucks and special equipment. All finished products undergo quality testing in laboratories and are packaged in boxes with a protective hologram.
Advantages:
- Easy replacement;
- High strength;
- Uniform arrangement of corrugations;
- Well-developed dealer network;
- Availability of technical support.
Flaws:
- Overcharge;
- There are many fakes on the market.
Mannfilter
The German concern produces 4 thousand types of filters that are supplied to the assembly lines of BMW, Volkswagen, Komatsu, Audi and Ford. The manufacturer's catalogs contain spare parts for the aftermarket of cars and trucks. Service centers of the German concern are located in 40 countries, which allows you to quickly receive technical assistance.
Durable filter material and strong frames are used in production. This increases reliability and allows you to change consumables less frequently when operating in off-road conditions. Mannfilter components have a high price, but this is compensated by a 20% increase in mileage. This is a good choice for those car owners who do not like to control the timing of the planned replacement of consumables.
Advantages:
- High efficiency;
- No adjustment to the seat required;
- A good range of spare parts for special equipment;
- No shortage.
Flaws:
- There are many fakes on the market.
Why do you need to replace the fuel filter?
The need for filtration is caused by the negative effects of pollutants on the injection system and the engine piston system. Over time, the filter becomes clogged and the amount of fuel driven through it by the fuel pump over a certain period of time decreases.
When accelerating or driving uphill, there may not be enough fuel, and the car significantly reduces power.
- If nothing is done in the future, it will move jerkily and stall, then it will not start at all due to lack of fuel.
- Motorists with extensive experience know when it is time to change the fuel filter - at the initial signs of blockages.
- It is better, without waiting for these signs to appear, to change the filter in accordance with the instructions of the car manufacturer.
Any service book states the mileage, upon reaching which the filter must be replaced. When it is known that low-quality fuel is being used, changing the fuel filter will be needed in a shorter time.
Rating of air filter manufacturers
When compiling the rating, domestic, European, Asian and American filters were tested. To check the quality, we selected spare parts that can be found in online store catalogs. Instrumental studies were carried out, the quality of work and the security of the packaging against counterfeiting were assessed. Our experts took into account the opinions of car owners and reviews from service station specialists.
The companies included in our rating of manufacturers of air filters for cars produce products with different technical characteristics. We paid attention to the following parameters:
- Geometry of the working part - leading manufacturers produce panel and cylindrical models, do not forget about the owners of old cars and produce ring filters;
- Degree of purification – the best components ensure maximum purification of the incoming air;
- Durability – the resource of different brands may differ by 2-2.5 times;
- Availability – leading companies have developed networks of distributors and official manufacturers. The ability to buy a filter only with delivery by mail is unacceptable for most car owners;
- Packaging - high-quality printing, thick cardboard, the presence of several levels of protection allow you to distinguish the original from the counterfeit.
Not all filters considered were able to gain a foothold in our TOP components. Poor cleaning, defects, unstable quality, mismatch of geometric dimensions - manufacturers of such spare parts were excluded from our rating.
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Types of fuel filters
Filters differ in their structure. They are installed based on the type of fuel system.
There are three types:
- Carburetor type. The initial stage is a mesh in the tank, then there is a fine filter, and finally a small mesh at the inlet to the carburetor;
- Injection view. There is also a large mesh in the tank, then a pump filter for gasoline is installed, enclosing a fine cleaning part;
- Diesel - here the analogy of injection cleaning is used, but an additional stage is connected in the form of separation.
Diesel filters differ in that the type of such engine is considered very vulnerable, therefore the fuel for such systems must be cleaned in the best possible way. In this case, the fuel of the car undergoes three stages of purification - in the gas tank, then coarse and fine cleaning.
A diesel fuel filter is designed to prevent water from entering the combustion chamber. Therefore, a high-quality cleaning filter for a diesel engine is more expensive than a cleaning unit for a gasoline engine. According to the design, filters are divided into prefabricated and non-dismountable types.
When a non-separable gasoline cleaning unit is installed in a car, then when it becomes unusable, the entire fuel filter must be replaced. Prefabricated types do not require complete replacement - just replace the filter part.
What filters need to be changed in the car?
- Air. Provides filtration of air entering the engine. Eliminates small and large foreign particles. In cars with injection engines it is located on the engine. In cars with carburetor engines, it is located inside the air collector.
- Oily. Provides filtration of motor, lubricating and transmission oils. Located on the front or rear side of the cylinder block, depending on the engine type.
- Fuel. Protects vehicle fuel from foreign impurities. Located between the pump and the fuel tank.
What is the replacement period?
In the average version, manufacturers recommend replacing filters after 30,000 km. Many car owners, through experimental observations, also came to this mileage figure.
Symptoms that the filter needs to be changed may include:
- Triple
- And turning off the engine
Of course, not everything can be exactly like that. When you refuel at gas stations known for their high quality fuel, adhere to a leisurely driving style, and rarely drive on rural roads, then you can greatly increase the frequency of filter changes. But in practice this rarely happens.
How to choose the right car filter?
You need to select a filter from the catalog provided by each manufacturer. This is the only way you can be sure that the purchased filter will fully match the type and model of your vehicle. Many car enthusiasts choose filter products based only on external features, for example, thread diameter. This is fundamentally wrong. Identical threads can be used on filters with different functionality and characteristics. The differences are not in appearance, but in more significant parameters, for example, in throughput, in operating pressure and pressure at the limit, in the principles of opening and closing valves.
Signs of a blockage
Does a car enthusiast need to know when to change the filter? A number of features are known for this purpose. All symptoms are caused by poor fuel supply.
We provide the main signs of a fuel filter failure:
- Severely reduced power;
- Uneven engine operation - often detected by sneezing or jerking of the car;
- Increased fuel consumption. This sign is indirect, it is not always connected with this.
In the first stages of blockage, these signs of blockage are not clearly expressed, so drivers do not notice alarm bells.
Only after the fuel supply has completely stopped do the owners begin to think about the reason. There are cases when the car did not start due to the fact that gasoline could not squeeze through the filter.
Cabin filter: a little history
The cabin cleaning system appeared much later than the air filter in its classic form. The number of vehicles increased rapidly, and the first traffic jams formed. Man was forced to come up with a way to protect himself from the negative effects of toxic substances.
The first paper cleaner was only 5.0 microns thick. The base was powerless against most toxins and gases. In the 90s, the purifiers were modernized. They looked like powerful, functional units and had activated carbon added to absorb air in the cabin.
All modern cars are equipped with standard air purifiers by default. Cheap cars have paper filters, while premium brands have carbon filters that neutralize all foreign odors.
By passing air currents through themselves, the filters trap microparticles of dirt. A process of gradual clogging occurs. The appearance of a foreign odor and weak air flow are the main signs of a malfunction.
We’ll look further at how to change the filter and what tools are needed for this.
Shift instructions
For most car brands, this procedure is not too difficult.
Basically, filters are installed in the following places:
- Under the bottom of the car - on the injection system;
- In the engine compartment in front of the high pressure pump - for diesel engines;
- In the engine compartment in front of the injection pump, there is a break in the gasoline line - on the carburetor;
- A coarse mesh is installed in the tank along with a gasoline pump.
To avoid dousing your hands and car parts with fuel, before the procedure it is advised to release the pressure in the lines, which is constantly present on injection models of cars. To do this, you will need to find the spool on the ramp, place a small container and press the valve.
The best air filters from American manufacturers
The products of the American automobile industry are in demand all over the world. Companies from the United States produce high-quality consumables for cars of their own and European brands. Leading manufacturers are actively working in the global market, developing new segments.
Ford
The American company supplies its own assembly line with spare parts and produces consumables for premium cars. The concern's production facilities are located in 30 countries around the world. Ford has a developed network of representative offices, which allows you to have at your disposal any components and the necessary technical support.
The concern has one of the most powerful research centers that develops innovative materials for air filters. Consumables have low resistance to air flow, but retain debris and dust well. The materials used are resistant to high temperatures. The installation housings completely coincide in geometric dimensions with the original spare parts.
Advantages:
- Increased resource;
- Easy replacement;
- Good protection against counterfeiting;
- Available on the market.
Flaws:
- The quality varies between factories.
Fram
The American company Fram occupies a leading position in the filter market, producing more than 4 thousand products. The catalog contains three series of products with increased service life. The maximum service life of Fram air filters reaches two years, even in off-road conditions.
When creating consumables, a filter element made of synthetic fiber, cellulose and fiberglass is used. The material has low resistance to air flow, but retains mechanical particles well. The adhesive roller secures the corrugations, ensuring maximum contact area with air throughout its entire service life.
Advantages:
- Resource more than 20,000 km;
- Easy replacement;
- High strength of all structural elements;
- Good protection against counterfeiting;
- Developed network of representative offices.
Flaws:
- High price.
Champion
The brand is well known to car owners for its spark plugs, which are supplied to the production line of leading Japanese, American and European manufacturers. Air filters are not inferior in quality. A special feature of the product is the absence of models with paper corrugations. In production, only synthetic fabric is used, which is characterized by high strength, durability, and low resistance to air flow.
Champion cylindrical air filters have a service life of 20,000 km, but often last significantly longer. In the brand's catalog you can select consumables intended for vehicles used in off-road conditions. The products are well protected from counterfeiting: there are holograms on the parts and packaging, and the high quality of printing and coding are noteworthy.
Advantages:
- Availability;
- Low air flow resistance;
- A wide range of;
- International certificates.
Flaws:
- Complicated installation.
How does the replacement take place?
The fuel filter is replaced in the following order:
- On a car with carburetors, just unscrew the clamps and pull the hoses out of the fittings, then unscrew the consumable body and replace it with a new product.
- On machines with fuel supply from an injector, these actions must be carried out from the inspection hole or lying under the bottom.
- On the diesel version, you need to pull out the tubes, remove the cover and remove the littered paper insert.
The location of the filter and the replacement method may differ depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
For example, on a gasoline car, instead of a round barrel that cannot be disassembled, a housing with a filter paper insert can be installed. In this case, this core changes. When you need to clean or change the screen in the tank, then you need to remove the gasoline pump.
The best air filters from Asian manufacturers
Companies from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China produce products that are supplied to Asian automakers and to the used car spare parts market in Europe and North America. The consumables are of high quality; innovative technologies and original materials are used in the production of air filters. Our experts recommend two of the best air filter companies from Asia, whose products are widely used in the European market due to their quality and effective air purification.
Masuma
The Japanese concern owns 80 enterprises in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. The products are aimed at the assembly lines of Toyota, Honda and Nissan, and at the secondary market in Eastern Europe. The consumables are distinguished by the impeccable characteristics of filter paper, precise placement of corrugations, and good sealing of all joints. The filter material consists of fibers located at an angle of 90 degrees to each other. This design ensures the retention of the finest dust and does not impede the passage of air.
Masuma offers oil-based air filters that offer improved efficiency. Oil impregnation improves dust retention. In the production of frames, impact-resistant plastic is used, which increases the reliability of consumables and resistance to vibration loads.
Advantages:
- Low defect rate;
- Exact size match;
- Good quality packaging with protection against counterfeiting;
Flaws:
- Overcharge.
Sakura
The brand belongs to the ADR Group, the brand's factories are located in Indonesia. The company annually produces more than 100 million spare parts, which are supplied to the secondary market in Europe and the United States. Sakura has existing contracts with car manufacturers in Japan and South Korea. All spare parts are certified according to international standards.
In the production of consumables, thick paper with highly effective filler is used, which ensures the maximum degree of cleaning. Reinforced screen ensures durability of parts. Silicone-based anti-drainage material withstands high temperatures well.
Advantages:
- Low price;
- Good protection against counterfeiting;
- High accuracy of geometric dimensions;
- High-quality air purification;
- Service life 10-12 thousand km.
Flaws:
- There are many fakes on the market.
