How old is that fuel filter?
Should it be changed?
We ask that question every time a fuel injected car comes
into our shop for a check-over. Modern fuel
filters are generally metal, so we can’t see inside. That leaves us one evaluation option – age.
Most carmakers recommend fuel filter replacement on a three
to six year interval. How do you know
when that time is passed, if you have no records? The obvious answer . . . read the date code from the filter
itself.
If you have a Bosch filter (Robison Service is a Bosch
authorized service center) you can find and decode the date stamp. Here’s an example.
The part number – 0 450 905 295 is the biggest and most obvious number, as it should be. The number in the oval (957) is the factory
code. The date code is the dot matrix
printing at the edge. In this case the
code reads 863.13.1.06
We turn to our Bosch date code index to decode the year and
month, 863:
According to our chart, this filter was made in March of
1998. The next number, 13, tells us the
date of manufacture. The final numbers
are plant specific, identifying a particular assembly line or location.
Seeing this part on a 1999 Rolls Royce we can say with some
confidence that it’s the original filter.
What if the date code is newer? How closely can we date a filter on a car
from these numbers? The answer – not too
close. A check of brand new filters from
Bentley revealed date codes from April 2010 to June 2011 in August 2012. That suggests filters for high end cars may
sit in warehouses several years before being installed.
A check of date codes on higher volume Mercedes/BMW/Audi
filters shows much quicker turnaround.
The filters on their shelves left the factory 2-4 months previously.
So what’s the rule of thumb?
In our shop, if we are looking at an exotic or rare car, I’d
allow 2 years for a filter to sit before being installed, and I’d expect it to
last 10 years in light use. So I’d
replace any filter whose date code was more than 12 years in the past.
With a more common car, I’d look to replace any filter whose
date code was more than six years in the past.
These are the rules we apply at Robison Service, but your
mileage may vary. Obviously a load of
bad gas can clog even a brand new filter, and some filters that are a decade in
service are as clean as when they were installed.
Till next time
John Robison
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1 comment:
Yes I'm trying to get some information and or guidance. Recently while driving to work on the interstate I struck and ran over something that fell from the under carriage of a semi truck that was driving in front of me.
The object struck the front bumper of my truck and then impacted my undercarriage causing a loud booming sound.
I pulled off to the shoulder of the interstate to assess the damage to my truck. My truck was quickly loosing fluid. I had my truck towed to a local repair shop which was still closed amid covid 19. I notified my insurance and opened a claim to which I was asked to take photos for the adjuster handling my claim.
In doing to I noted damage to my front license plate, multiple deep gashes on the oil pan and a cracked transfer case. I noted impact marks on both the oil pan and transfer case.
I just received a message from the insurance adjuster stating he inspected my truck, he noted the license plate damage, then proceeded to state he did not observe impact marks when inspecting the undercarriage and proceeded to say that what I heard was a mechanical issue of some sort, never acknowledging damage to the transfer case. For some odd reason the adjuster made a point to state he observed recent work done to my radiator and and again insinuated the issue and damage was mechanical.
This is extremely insulting to me for many reasons. First I observed with my own eyes the object that I hit. Second I also observed what appears to be impact marks on the undercarriage. Three I have had the truck for 2 years now and haven't had any issues with it not has there been any radiator work done to it.
I'm trying to get some guidance on how to proceed, it's blatantly obvious my insurance is trying to skirt covering the damage sustained to my truck. I have full coverage and have never made a claim. I would truly appreciate any information on how to proceed and or dispute the adjusters assessment... thanks in advance..
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