Fuel filter
Filter used to strain fuel in fuel systems
A fuel filter is a filter used to screen out foreign particles or liquids from the fuel. Most internal combustion engines use a fuel filter, in order to protect the components in the fuel system.
01Filters for foreign particles
Unfiltered fuel may contain several kinds of contamination, for example paint chips and dirt that has entered the fuel tank while filling, or rust caused by moisture in a steel tank. If these substances are not removed before the fuel enters the system, they will cause rapid wear and failure of the fuel pump and injectors.
The filters are normally made into cartridges containing a filter paper. Fuel filters need to be maintained or replaced at regular intervals.
02Filters for foreign liquids
Some diesel engines use a bowl-like design to collect water in the bottom of the filter (as diesel floats on top of water). The water can then be drained off by opening a valve in the bottom of the bowl and letting it run out, until only the fuel remains.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Fuel filter”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
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