Bone Dry Fuel Filter

[Myrtle97]

Hey.
So thought I'd give my car a little service.
The usual, oil filter and oil change. Pollen filters. Intake filter etc.

Upon removing the old fuel filter I was stumped no petrol leaked out. It didn't even smell of petrol. So after installing the new one I cut open the old one and it was like brand new inside. In fact it wasn't even wet, I could see dust from the filters built up on the plastic top inside. BONE DRY.

I'm a bit of a novice so I watched a couple of tutorials beforehand to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into.

Why is the fuel filter bone dry??

[996TT02]

What car? If it really is the fuel filter maybe someone has bypassed the fuel line completely. More detail needed.

[Myrtle97]

996TT02 said:

What car? If it really is the fuel filter maybe someone has bypassed the fuel line completely. More detail needed.

I have a 2001 Honda Civic 1.6 Petrol (MK 7) EU8. Engine code: D16V1.
I don't think fuel bypasses? I thought that's the whole point of the filter.

[Gary29]

He means it sounds like someone has re-routed the fuel lines to bypass the filter.

Every fuel filter change I've ever done, the filter has been full of fuel and generally some has leaked whenever I've disconnected the fuel lines.

Certainly shouldn't be 'dusty' in the filter?? Any pics of the filter?

[Myrtle97]

Gary29 said:

He means it sounds like someone has re-routed the fuel lines to bypass the filter.

Every fuel filter change I've ever done, the filter has been full of fuel and generally some has leaked whenever I've disconnected the fuel lines.

Certainly shouldn't be 'dusty' in the filter?? Any pics of the filter?

What could the purpose be for bypassing the filter?
Well that's why I watched a couple of fuel filter changing videos and I was anticipating a bit of fuel leaking out when changing it.
But honestly take my word for it, the old filter looked like fuel never passed through it, even smelt new which sucks I could have just left it on there before cutting it open.

[eybic]

Are you sure it was the fuel filter you removed?

[Myrtle97]

eybic said:

Are you sure it was the fuel filter you removed?

100% lol. Went through the Car Manual and looked online this is what I swapped out.

[Krikkit]

The only thing I could think of would be that someone has swapped the flow and return lines at both ends (both fuel rail/engine bay and tank) to bypass the filter.

ETA: There's quite a bit of info about rotted lines, I'd wager that's maybe what happened? Rather than fix it just swap.

[eybic]

If possible, you could try tracing the hoses back from the dry filter and see where they go.

[Pica-Pica]

What is the history of car ownership? MOT, services, number of owners. Something strangely suspicious here!

[Myrtle97]

Pica-Pica said:

What is the history of car ownership? MOT, services, number of owners. Something strangely suspicious here!

Nothing mentioned about the fuel system. MOT history mainly consists of wear and tear stuff like worn out suspension.
I think there were only 2 previous owners before myself, neither of them would have made modifications themselves. I know the previous owner personally.
Passed it's last MOT, failed due to suspension. Again nothing mentioned on fuel filter.

[Myrtle97]

eybic said:

If possible, you could try tracing the hoses back from the dry filter and see where they go.

Just checked, nothing obviously screaming BYPASS

[boz1]

The options, in descending order of likelihood, are:

• The fuel filter was not actually dry and empty, but just appeared so; or
• The filter has been bypassed in some way; or
• Your car does not actually start or run; or
• You have discovered a source of unlimited free power from the air / perpetual motion / magic.

That's a collectively exhaustive list of explanations!

Revisiting the first option... is it not most likely that a small amount of fuel did dribble out of at least one end and you didn't notice and the remaining fuel in the filter evaporated? Small amounts of petrol evaporate quickly in air.

[Myrtle97]

boz1 said:

The options, in descending order of likelihood, are:

• The fuel filter was not actually dry and empty, but just appeared so; or
• The filter has been bypassed in some way; or
• Your car does not actually start or run; or
• You have discovered a source of unlimited free power from the air / perpetual motion / magic.

That's a collectively exhaustive list of explanations!

Revisiting the first option... is it not most likely that a small amount of fuel did dribble out of at least one end and you didn't notice and the remaining fuel in the filter evaporated? Small amounts of petrol evaporate quickly in air.

It's either option 2 or 4. I'm going to get some help because honestly the old filter was bone dry. It didn't even smell of petrol. It had that new smell to as well even though it had been on the car for a year or longer

[Scrump]

Leave the inlet pipe disconnected from the fuel filter and try to start the car, don't turn it over for too long!
Either the car will start or petrol will pour out the pipe. That will give you an answer.

Edited by Scrump on Friday 7th September 18:44