Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2016, 22:42:45

Title: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2016, 22:42:45
So few weeks back I changed fuel filter on wife's corsa. When I tipped it up there was a lot of black crud coming out from the inlet side. Nice clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Changed my fuel filter today.clean as a whistle from both ends.

Wife's car is only on 34k miles and is a 2005. One that came off I'm guessing was the original. Mine was changed 20k miles ago. However I'm ashamed to say I regularly go to almost zero miles on the range lol

I feel better for changing it. But why do you reckon there was a difference in stuff that came out? Yes hers has done a few more miles but she always has fuel and I regularly run mine low. Any thoughts
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 24 April 2016, 09:44:40
TBH, with cars with plastic tanks, all this "don't run it low, you'll suck up the shit" is 'dangle berries'.  Its well known I frequently run out of fuel, always have, always will (though strangely, never in the Omega), and the only issue was with a shitty Escort diesel that was a bitch to reprime.

As to hers, well, a 10yr old filter will collect some shite, but never really seen that before, unless its been misfuelled.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 24 April 2016, 10:02:51
Yeah bizarre. Or at least I've never seen it. At least the filter was doing its job with clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 April 2016, 11:36:22
So few weeks back I changed fuel filter on wife's corsa. When I tipped it up there was a lot of black crud coming out from the inlet side. Nice clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Changed my fuel filter today.clean as a whistle from both ends.

Wife's car is only on 34k miles and is a 2005. One that came off I'm guessing was the original. Mine was changed 20k miles ago. However I'm ashamed to say I regularly go to almost zero miles on the range lol

I feel better for changing it. But why do you reckon there was a difference in stuff that came out? Yes hers has done a few more miles but she always has fuel and I regularly run mine low. Any thoughts

Corsa C....like the one we have.

At least the fuel filter is a piece of piss to get to for those of a DIY persuasion. :y

Starting problems were caused by the filter leaking in our case.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 24 April 2016, 12:22:24
So few weeks back I changed fuel filter on wife's corsa. When I tipped it up there was a lot of black crud coming out from the inlet side. Nice clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Changed my fuel filter today.clean as a whistle from both ends.

Wife's car is only on 34k miles and is a 2005. One that came off I'm guessing was the original. Mine was changed 20k miles ago. However I'm ashamed to say I regularly go to almost zero miles on the range lol

I feel better for changing it. But why do you reckon there was a difference in stuff that came out? Yes hers has done a few more miles but she always has fuel and I regularly run mine low. Any thoughts



Corsa C....like the one we have.

At least the fuel filter is a piece of piss to get to for those of a DIY persuasion. :y

Starting problems were caused by the filter leaking in our case.

Yes mate corsa c. Got to say everything is a piece of piss on that car!

I suppose if they've rusted through and/ or leaking its an obvious reason to change. But I do wonder about them needing to be changed at all. Well, at least on petrol cars.  :-\
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Nick W on 24 April 2016, 12:48:28
So few weeks back I changed fuel filter on wife's corsa. When I tipped it up there was a lot of black crud coming out from the inlet side. Nice clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Changed my fuel filter today.clean as a whistle from both ends.

Wife's car is only on 34k miles and is a 2005. One that came off I'm guessing was the original. Mine was changed 20k miles ago. However I'm ashamed to say I regularly go to almost zero miles on the range lol

I feel better for changing it. But why do you reckon there was a difference in stuff that came out? Yes hers has done a few more miles but she always has fuel and I regularly run mine low. Any thoughts



Corsa C....like the one we have.

At least the fuel filter is a piece of piss to get to for those of a DIY persuasion. :y

Starting problems were caused by the filter leaking in our case.

Yes mate corsa c. Got to say everything is a piece of piss on that car!

I suppose if they've rusted through and/ or leaking its an obvious reason to change. But I do wonder about them needing to be changed at all. Well, at least on petrol cars.  :-\


That's a common problem with them. Although external fuel filters have been a scheduled service item for ages, they often aren't replaced until they leak. Puntos are good for this: the paint on the steel bracket is poor(on a Fiat, who would have guessed), which leads to a rusty bracket on a thin aluminium filter. Then it leaks. Badly.


It's not just plastic tanks where the 'don't run it low' is 'dangle berries', metal ones are the same. Leaving the car standing for long periods is what causes the problem, and you wouldn't want to do that with a tankful of modern fuel which doesn't last long.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 24 April 2016, 12:53:41
So few weeks back I changed fuel filter on wife's corsa. When I tipped it up there was a lot of black crud coming out from the inlet side. Nice clean fuel coming out of the outlet.

Changed my fuel filter today.clean as a whistle from both ends.

Wife's car is only on 34k miles and is a 2005. One that came off I'm guessing was the original. Mine was changed 20k miles ago. However I'm ashamed to say I regularly go to almost zero miles on the range lol

I feel better for changing it. But why do you reckon there was a difference in stuff that came out? Yes hers has done a few more miles but she always has fuel and I regularly run mine low. Any thoughts



Corsa C....like the one we have.

At least the fuel filter is a piece of piss to get to for those of a DIY persuasion. :y

Starting problems were caused by the filter leaking in our case.

Yes mate corsa c. Got to say everything is a piece of piss on that car!

I suppose if they've rusted through and/ or leaking its an obvious reason to change. But I do wonder about them needing to be changed at all. Well, at least on petrol cars.  :-\


That's a common problem with them. Although external fuel filters have been a scheduled service item for ages, they often aren't replaced until they leak. Puntos are good for this: the paint on the steel bracket is poor(on a Fiat, who would have guessed), which leads to a rusty bracket on a thin aluminium filter. Then it leaks. Badly.


It's not just plastic tanks where the 'don't run it low' is 'dangle berries', metal ones are the same. Leaving the car standing for long periods is what causes the problem, and you wouldn't want to do that with a tankful of modern fuel which doesn't last long.

With round town MPG being in the mid to high teens the petrol stays in there a matter of hours let alone days/weeks  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 24 April 2016, 12:56:54
Leaving the car standing for long periods is what causes the problem, and you wouldn't want to do that with a tankful of modern fuel which doesn't last long.
I suspect the fact that it usually starts on petrol helps keep fuel moving, and being driven around ensure whats in the tank gets swilled around, but I haven't put petrol in the MV6 for yonks ;D
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 24 April 2016, 12:57:28
That said, I don't think of changed the fuel filter for 5 or 6 years either ;D
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Andy H on 24 April 2016, 13:00:08
TBH, with cars with plastic tanks, all this "don't run it low, you'll suck up the shit" is 'dangle berries'.  Its well known I frequently run out of fuel, always have, always will (though strangely, never in the Omega), and the only issue was with a shitty Escort diesel that was a bitch to reprime.

As to hers, well, a 10yr old filter will collect some shite, but never really seen that before, unless its been misfuelled.
or it left the factory with it ;D
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 24 April 2016, 13:01:11
TBH, with cars with plastic tanks, all this "don't run it low, you'll suck up the shit" is 'dangle berries'.  Its well known I frequently run out of fuel, always have, always will (though strangely, never in the Omega), and the only issue was with a shitty Escort diesel that was a bitch to reprime.

As to hers, well, a 10yr old filter will collect some shite, but never really seen that before, unless its been misfuelled.
or it left the factory with it ;D

Lol t'was probably built on a Friday  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: frostbite on 25 April 2016, 09:22:58
I had a '95 e36 coupe, when I changed the filter I believe it was the original but it had a FSH. The filter was disgusting all silt and sand dropped out of it

It only had 57k miles on the clock in 2008 so milage isn't everything  ( probably supermarket  fuel)
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 25 April 2016, 09:45:07
My old girl had sat SPRN for 7 years, as most on here know, and I regret to say still on the same fuel filter which was fitted some time last decade  :D

Unless I'm missing something very bad, there seems to be no mechanical maladies caused as a result. I'm not saying I approve of my own practices, do as I say, not as I do, sort fo thing. Will change it in the summer, I have one from Keith ABS ready to go on.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Shackeng on 25 April 2016, 10:27:47
One fill-up from a station with dirty storage will do it. :y
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 25 April 2016, 10:29:38
I know of a few vehicles where they lacked grunt at higher revs, in both cases it was a clogged fuel filter limiting fuel delivery.

The Corsa ones tend to rot through if not changed to!
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2016, 17:11:58
I know of a few vehicles where they lacked grunt at higher revs, in both cases it was a clogged fuel filter limiting fuel delivery.

The Corsa ones tend to rot through if not changed to!
Hmmm, that got me thinking....   ...but we changed the fuel filter on the Bus IIRC?
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Andy H on 25 April 2016, 18:03:16
I know of a few vehicles where they lacked grunt at higher revs, in both cases it was a clogged fuel filter limiting fuel delivery.

The Corsa ones tend to rot through if not changed to!
Hmmm, that got me thinking....   ...but we changed the fuel filter on the Bus IIRC?
is there another one in the tank?
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: frostbite on 25 April 2016, 18:44:56
There should be a strainer around the pickup
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2016, 18:50:11
I know of a few vehicles where they lacked grunt at higher revs, in both cases it was a clogged fuel filter limiting fuel delivery.

The Corsa ones tend to rot through if not changed to!
Hmmm, that got me thinking....   ...but we changed the fuel filter on the Bus IIRC?
is there another one in the tank?
Absolutely no idea.  I know Mr DTM has a few theories about its (lacklustre) performance....
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 25 April 2016, 19:29:30
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Lazydocker on 25 April 2016, 19:35:02
I know of a few vehicles where they lacked grunt at higher revs, in both cases it was a clogged fuel filter limiting fuel delivery.

The Corsa ones tend to rot through if not changed to!
Hmmm, that got me thinking....   ...but we changed the fuel filter on the Bus IIRC?
is there another one in the tank?
Absolutely no idea.  I know Mr DTM has a few theories about its (lacklustre) performance....
Park in front of the garage... That should speed it up a bit :-X ::) ::)
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: aaronjb on 25 April 2016, 21:47:08
Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

Not surprised, it's cheaper than water at that Morrisons (assuming it's the one I think)! ;D

TBH I think you might be 'more likely' to get a tank of filter-clogger from a supermarket, but unless you're unlucky I doubt there's any real world difference.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 April 2016, 08:08:30
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

Noticeable difference with diesel
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: frostbite on 26 April 2016, 09:37:44
Was it not morris ons that had high silicone contamination  and ruined a few cars?

Just to save some on there fuel order. Buy cheap get cheap
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: TheBoy on 26 April 2016, 17:22:01
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

Noticeable difference with diesel
Very much so - even ignoring performance, look at the smoke in mirror at night when using supermarket diesel.

Before MOT, I always put a couple of tanks of BP/Shell fuel in to reduce the smog output.


Now I'm assuming the smog is unburnt fuel, so clearly get a better burn with non supermarket stuff.... :y
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Jimbob on 27 April 2016, 07:52:17
in the Zafira, I get about 100 more miles to the tank using shell than Tesco's, and about 60 more than using morrisons.

My usage is pretty samey.....and enough to make me now only use Shell.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 April 2016, 11:11:46
100 more miles per tank??? Now that is significant !!!

Do you think this would apply to petrol also?
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: Shackeng on 27 April 2016, 14:17:39
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

Noticeable difference with diesel

I definitely get better performance on the TD using BP diesel vs Tesco's.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: biggriffin on 27 April 2016, 16:10:55
Was it not morris ons that had high silicone contamination  and ruined a few cars?

Just to save some on there fuel order. Buy cheap get cheap

Was most of the fuel companies, the amount of silicone was to much,and killed lambdas', silicone is added to reduce frothing, and a lubricant, for in tank pumps.
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: baggers on 28 April 2016, 00:02:21
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

I have come across a few cars that wouldn't run very well on Morrison's 95 a bit lethargic and poor idling, changed to a branded fuel and always fine. 
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: baggers on 28 April 2016, 00:03:38
Is there really anything in this supermarket vs shell/bp etc? I'm not talking about super vs regular. I mean Morrison's regular 95 vs shells regular 95?

Both our cars have always had Morrison s fuel

Noticeable difference with diesel

Yes, a big difference  :y
Title: Re: Fuel filters
Post by: baggers on 28 April 2016, 00:08:10
The Vectra C diesel pumps were wrecked by non-branded diesel.  Today's pumps still suffer the same.