Avoided a Disaster

Wayne Maybury · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 07:26 AM

When I built my car three years ago, a friend commented that I had done evrything right except for one thing. I had used one of those glass inline fuel filters. He warned me that I was going to have a problem one day since they tend to leak.

No problems the first two years. This spring when I am starting the engine after the long winter rest, the filter begins to leak. I simply tightened it up a bit and the leak stopped.

This past weekend, I ask my wife if she wants to go for a drive. We get all buckled in, I fire up the car and begin to back down the driveway. I shifted from reverse to first ready to drive away when I glanced at the driveway and see gasoline all over. I just about crapped right there. The filter had sprung a major leak, this thing was spraying gas everywhere, not just dripping a bit.

I managed to get the car back into the driveawy at which point I shut her off immediately. I opened the hood to see gas still leaking from the filter. I got the hose out and began to rinse down the driveway, as well as the garage floor. While I didn't like doing this, there was no real alternative, I had to get the gas away from the car as well as off the driveway.

One spark and I would have lost my Cobra. I have now replaced that filter with an Earl's billet aluminium unit. I highly recommend that anyone using one of those glass filters, consider replacing it as soon as possible. There is no doubt in my mind that it is not a question of IF you will have a problem, but rather WHEN you will have a problem with it.

Wayne

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 07:55 AM

This is one of the big reasons VW's burn, the fliter is right next to the ignition coil. In time they WILL leak.

Ernie

Mr.Fixit · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 08:32 AM

VW's also have that braided cloth covering on their fuel hose, so they often don't notice when the rubber hose is rotted and cracked, until too late.
I did run one of the glass bodied fuel filters for over ten years on a chevy I had, no leaks ever. They are hunks of junk though, wouldn't recommend them to anybody.

Cobra20646 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 10:50 AM

Wayne,

Thanks for the tip.. I have one of them sitting on the bench ready to replace the one on the car......... but I guess I re-think this project..... or at least try another type.

Chiperb · #5 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 11:03 AM

Same thing hereDriving home from work when someone shouted that I was leaking gas. Looked in the rv mirror and a heavy trail following me. Got parked and lifted the hood: fuel everywhere! Glass filter had come unscrewed.

Had added it after a fule pump failure. With the glass filter I could see if I was getting gas to the carb, Replaces with a onepiece molded filter that I could still see if fuel was flowing. cb

Wayne Maybury · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2003, 09:30 AM

Mine could not unscrew since it had an outer plastic clip that kept the two ends from unscrewing.

While I had assumed that the problem was caused by the flat rubber o-rings that seal the glass cylinder at each end, I found the real problem last night. The filter was on the bench so I decided to try to see what went wrong. Did an o-ring leak? What happened?

I began to take it apart when it fell to pieces. The filter is held together by what appears to be a hard plastic piece that is threaded at both ends and which screws into the two metal ends. The threads at one end of this plastic connector had simply pulled out of the metal end fitting. No wonder it was spraying gasoline all over, there was nothing holding it together.

Anyone using this type of filter should immediately replace it with another type of filter. It is dangerous and it is only a matter of time before it will leak.

Wayne

Sal Gerace · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2003, 01:41 PM

WoW, I just spent $10.00 at Advanced auto parts for a Mr.Gasket one for my old Mustang. I wanted to see if there was any corrosion coming from the gas tank and I figured the glass bowl would be the answer. Thanks for the tips I'll to replace it!

Cobra20646 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-28-2003, 07:31 AM

Wayne, et. al.

Today was the first chance I had to take a closer look at my glass in-line fuel filter. It appears to be NOT what you described. I guess there is more than one type of glass filter on the market, and the one I have appears to be a lot more rugged. The only thing that could be considered plastic is the form that supports the filter element.

Printed on one end is the name "PROFUEL "

I'll see if I can attach a pic.......

- Jim -

Cobra20646 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-28-2003, 07:34 AM

Seems pic won't up-load, and only 33K file. Can't even load it to my gallery, so must be a problem. Will try later,,,, sorry

- Jim -

wilf leek · #10 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 04:07 PM

Hmm, interesting.

I use one of these glass filters on the suction side of my electric pump, mounted above the tank (so no gravity drain possible) in the trunk (protected by a wire mesh cage).
The one I have has proper nitrile round section "O" rings in it, and the internal threaded elements which hold it together are all metal, not plastic.
I like being able to see what crud is being filtered out - had some sob put silicone sealant in my tank once out of spite, only found out what was happening due to the glass filter.
Not had a problem with a filter of this type in use for over 8 years, what do you think?

Wayne Maybury · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 06:51 AM

I believe that mine was a "Spectre" filter which came from Summit. I looked at the internal part which I had earlier said appeared to be made of hard plastic. After a closer look, I think it is made of aluminium or another sft metal. I thought it was plastic since it is greyish which is some sort of coating. The end pieces are chromed metal.

The main reason I bought it was to be able to see if there was any dirt in it. However several friends have told me that they also had leaking problems with this type of filter.

Wayne

BANDIT 1 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 07:32 AM

I have used several of the "Profuel" fuel filters for years. I have never had any problems, unless they are made different I don't remember any plastic. Like all items, I am sure there is crap out there also. I think they have a very good purpose and one thing I always do is by a complete new fuel filter (the entire assembly) instead of just changing the filter element. When people cry that I am buying a brand new filter each time instead of the "filter element", my response is how much is your new car fuel filter? I think any fuel filter should be changed atleast every year anyway.

hcollado · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 09:20 AM

Wow ...

Has anyone ever used the screw-on type like the ones they use on boats. Not only do they filter, but they catch any moisture in the fuel. Changing them is a snap since they screw on and off to the base?

Hector

wilf leek · #14 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 10:17 AM

Wayne - was your filter on the suction or delivery side of your pump?

Jamo · #15 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 10:24 AM

Wayne

Just glad you both are ok.

Wayne Maybury · #16 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 11:25 AM

Wilf Pressure side between the mechanical fuel pump and the carb.

Jamo Yep, we're OK, but you should see the asphalt driveway, what a mess.

I will tell you one thing, I couldn't get that engine shut off fast enough, boy was I afraid for a few seconds.

Wayne

Cobra20646 · #17 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 12:24 PM

Managed to get the photo to load into my gallery. It's an exploded view (no pun intended)

- Jim -

Cobra20646 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 05:31 AM

Alex Donghi · #19 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 08:13 AM

I've got the metal can one that is a copy of the originals Should i worry about that one?? I 'll check to see if its on the preasure side

Mr.Fixit · #20 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 08:31 AM

When I was 16, I was dropping off my girlfriend at her parent's house a few hours too late on a saturday night. She says, "Oh my god, it smells like gas." I take a look and there is a 4' puddle on her driveway. The rubber fuel line on my 69 camaro had ended up laying against the harmonic dampner which quicly rubbed a hole in it. Girl's father removed a 4' section of rubber line from his ranchero so I could repair my camaro, in his driveway, after midnight.