Fuel Filters Compared - What's in the box?

[Century7667]

So, what comes in the box? How does it compare?



By lost my filter "in plain sight" this weekend (it was sitting on the roof of the car...). So, I bought another one. I went to the AC Delco parts distributor in the area, and they handed me a "Pronto" fuel filter. "No thanks," I said. I went to O'reilly's and they sold me a Wix.

Here are AC Delco, Wix, and OEM:



Here's a close up of what came out of the car from the factory, it appears to be plastic, which might not be a bad thing up north:



Here's the AC. No caps to keep the grit out while installing. Made in USA though:



Here's the WIX. Also made in USA. Seemed sturdier, had caps, bracket, and a fuel warning label. Nice touch. All the little things added up. This was my choice:



One more thing, the documentation:



One footnote: This is what the FSM says about the Fuel Filter: "Periodic replacement of the fuel filter is not required" Page 0B-11, 1996 A-Platform, GMP/96-A-1, Book 1 of 2.

Ken T.

[Keiths1976]

I am running wix fuel filter been 1 year and does great !! Easy simple made in USA

[Skip]

The one in the middle is what I used to sell when I was a GM Parts guy. That was the factory filter on my '93 century as well. That darned thing was $100.00 from GM in '93. The plastic one on the right is what Fram sells as a replacement, no thanks. I tried one of those once and I just tossed it in the trash. I didn't even fit properly. The one on the left was the original replacement and then they went to the style in the middle if memory serves me.

[Century7667]

Skip,

Fascinating how GM changed sources for filters through the years. $100! Wow!

I could have had the "Pronto" fuel filter for $7. No regrets passing on "Pronto."

Ken T.

[Skip]

Yeah, I freaked out when I saw how much they wanted for that filter back then. They told us that the filter was a 100,000 mile interval fuel filter. Yeah, well I change my fuel filter every year or 12,000 miles. That same filter in the Wix brand name cost me $9.99 a month ago.

[Century7667]

Yeah, I think I paid $14 for the Wix at the local auto parts shop, but it was something like $9 on Rock Auto. I'll definitely do an autopsy on the old one, just to see what 19 years looks like.

Ken T.

[Skip]

Man, if you do............take pics. I'd like to see what's in there.

[lemons bob]

Fuel Filters are so easy to change on these cars I don't see why people don't. Although first time I did it, it the connection on the fuelsender was stuck. the sender rusted around the gasket, had to cut quick disconnect apart to get it off. New one had no problems, although fuel pump went after that so replaced the sender with a non rusty one.

[turbokinetic]

...... They told us that the filter was a 100,000 mile interval fuel filter......

LOL yeah. It's 100,000 miles or one bad tank of gas - whichever comes first!!!

I don't always count mileage before changing the fuel filter. I just change it every year or so. Sometimes you can hear the fuel pump "laboring" when the key is turned on. This also makes me think it is straining against a blocked filter. Then I change it at that time. The sound of the pump changes.

[Century7667]

LOL yeah. It's 100,000 miles or one bad tank of gas - whichever comes first!!!

I don't always count mileage before changing the fuel filter. I just change it every year or so. Sometimes you can hear the fuel pump "laboring" when the key is turned on. This also makes me think it is straining against a blocked filter. Then I change it at that time. The sound of the pump changes.

Very interesting your comment. The fuel filter on this car became VERY noisy over time. It will be interesting when I bring the electrical systems on line to see if I can hear it. It was unmistakable.

I still plan on cracking open the old filter, just haven't had the time yet.

Ken T.

[CorvairGeek]

Ditto, an old filter can make the pump louder.

[Century7667]

Fuel Filters are so easy to change on these cars I don't see why people don't. Although first time I did it, it the connection on the fuelsender was stuck. the sender rusted around the gasket, had to cut quick disconnect apart to get it off. New one had no problems, although fuel pump went after that so replaced the sender with a non rusty one.

Bob,

You're absolutely right. And, given the other good info I've gleaned from this thread, I see there good reason to replace them on a regular basis. In my world, I am very regular about where I get my gas, so I am quite confident it's good gas. But, I my plan is to get a regular interval going. Probably do it with my belts and hoses or maybe sooner.

Ken T.

[Drop Top Olds]

Here is something else to consider about fueling up your vehicle and how it affects the fuel filter. Even if you patronize the same top tier station, there is one time to avoid it for gasoline. I immediately pass by any station that has a tanker truck filling the fuel tanks. The underground fuel station tanks can accumulate solids and trash. Whenever the tanker is topping off the fuel tank the addition of new fuel will cause the sediments in the bottom of the tank to become suspended in solution with the newly added fuel. If one chooses to fill the tank of your vehicle while the tanker is filling the gas station tanks, you are getting "extra stuff" with your fill up that will most certainly not benefit the fuel system and will dramatically reduce the life of a fuel filter. I always consider a yearly filter change essential to good injector performance.

[Cressida]

Heads up for anyone who may be making a RockAuto order soon. They have the Wix fuel filter that is mentioned above in this thread. It is WIX 33487. I just ordered and received it today.

However, wish I would have noticed before I made my order because I now see they have this same basic filter / hose set up in the private label (guess Carquest Prem.) on close out now for less than $1.50. You may need to do a part number search (WIX 86487) to find it since this part does not show up as a choice for my Ciera.

[Century7667]

Interesting. Didn't see that one, but found an "Untrapower" for $1.43. Save 7¢! Looks the same as the Wix, but you never really now.

When I pull the filter on my LIM project, I'll get to compare gasoline choices and filters!

Ken T.