Hi

In the last 3 months i have had to change my fuel filter 3 times, it keeps getting clogged and hence the car is always seems to be breaking down

How often do YOU change your fuel filter? I am begginning to think that there are contaminants in the tank or the line as i dont think this should need replacing this often. i am not fussed about buying a new filter seeing as they are as cheap as chips but i just wanted to know if this was out of the ordinary.

Any ideas on what is causing this are greatly appreciated or just tell me to be quiet if i am just being stupid. It seems to have been happening increasingly over the last 6 months

cheers

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Gee - this one is very much a "how long is a bit of string" Fuel filters need to be changed as often as they need to be changed. That is as soon as they get clogged up.

Its unlikely to to be the fuel - possible but unlikely and is usually rust ot sediment build up in the fuel tank. There are quite a few places that will steam clean fuel tanks and that helps if its just sediment. If rust is involved, steam cleaning will help but.... the tank will ultimately leak.

Either way it usually means pulling out the tank so its probably wise to start scouring mini parts sales for a good solid tank. To change one is not a big deal - just dont do it with lots of petrol in the tank or with the battery connected.

thanks i knew that my question was a little stupid but wanted to know if it was clogging up excessively

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Im probably really bad, but I havent changed the one in my mini for 2 years. probably about time i did that. (i care about the mini). but..My daily car hasn't been changed for last 6years (since I got the car), no plans on trouching it till it needs it. and wifes car started playing up, so i did that a few months ago after having car for 3 years.

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'78 LS 1275

As I haven't yet looked, where is the fuel filter in a Mini? Is it near to the tank or is it in the engine bay?

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1970 Mini Deluxe - 1275, Weber, Clive 346 cam, MS 4-pot slotted discs, Megajolt ignition Now with new improved Mambas... almost on the road
1966 Van with Traveller rear seat conversion
2008 Prado GXL
All in various states of repair...

depends, i've seen it in lots of places..usually close to the carby, but in a rover it's probably closer to the tank..east way is to just follow your fuel line..it'll be there somewhere..

You shouldn't need to replace your fuel filter that much...it's most likely picking up stuff from the tank..

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I'm still using the same fuel filter that was in the car when I bought it 20 years and over 300,000 kms ago. Only difference is when I put an electric pump in under the tank to replace the mechanical pump I shifted the filter from just before the carb to just before the pump.

In those 20 years I would have run out of petrol well over 400 times so I know my tank is clean as a whistle.

If your filter is clogging up that often you do have a problem. Wait until you've got bugga all in the tank and try draining it from underneath into something like a clean plastic coke bottle and see what comes out. (BTW, given time the petrol will melt the coke bottle)

smithy

"how long is a bit of string"

f*ck i hate that expression

Twice as long as from the middle to one end . That normally shut's up the one who ask's it ...... As for the fuel filter , which car is it on , is it the traveller that's sat for a while ? Regardless of which one , might be time to drain and remove the tank then even if you give it a few good flushes , put a bit of petrol in , cover the openings and swish it all around for a while and see what comes out .

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A piece of string is thirteen and a half inches long.

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Mini K, 1310, Jet Red/Crystal White Roof, Rover Interior

75 Clubman

this is the Leyland Van not the countryman- that comes on sunday

I will have a look at that tank soon, thanks for the help

cheers

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I usually let them go for about a year...unless I get a bad tank of fuel.

It depends on how dirty your fuel is....have you tried another Garage for a change??

Your tank could definately have contaminants in it....either because the tank is old and full of crud, because it is rusting away or because someone has dropped a load of gravel in there

You are changing filters too often....I would be investigating why and flushing the entire fuel system.....cleaning the Carby along the way.

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"Show me the Mini!"

What is the best fuel filter to use?

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Simon
Daily Driver - Yellow Devil 76 Clubman
Restoration Project - Primer grey 66 Morris Mini Deluxe

If it is clogging up that often then it's about time you looked at why. It's not very hard to remove the tank(s) and clean them out. Is the "clog" redish or blackish? If so that could be rust from your tank which means you may have bigger problems than just a clogged up filter!

Also dirty fuel can wear your pump out...

Any brand will do really. The differences are mainly cosmetic. Ever thought about putting a high flow one (say from a ford) just under the tank so that your fuel pump gets clean fuel? That's what you are supposed to do when installing an electric fuel pump. Works well (not that I have checked the one under the car lately

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I would drain & pull the tank then put a motorcycle tank repair kit through it which will clean, derust & seal the inside of the tank. Could also shake it up with some gravel or screws inside if it looks really rusty.

This is what I am doing to mine - I was shocked at the amount of crud

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Udo: 1968 Mini - Matic
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