IMPORTANT: Fuel Return Kit and Fuel Filter Issues

[blueroadster]

UPDATE

If you have a fuel return kit installed on your car, please note that the installation may have very well bypassed the stock fuel filter. In addition, the way the fuel return kit was installed may have also introduced additional issues with the fuel feed system.

Here is a link to a video that discusses the problem. It is important to note that this problem is centralized to the way the fuel return kit itself was installed.

Once viewed, please move to page two of this thread to see continued discussions on the problem.

/UPDATE

the installation steps for the fuel return kit may have also introduced issues with respect to of the fuel kit may have introduced fuel issues

For those with a return type fuel system, did you also upgrade the fuel filter? If so, which one did you go with? The stock fuel filter connects to the fuel pump and is tiny. I am thinking about removing it and getting the AEM fuel filter.

[blueroadster]

The other one I was looking at that I think would be better is the aeromotive fuel filter:

[sickyute]

nice...
i think the fuel filter is intank ... i could have sworn i saw one in there...
anyway..
u can just add one inline and keep the stock one in place wherever it is.

how often do u have to clean those?

[blueroadster]

Yes, the fuel filter is in the tank. It connects to the fuel pump itself. If you saw how dinky it is, then you would get a better idea as to why I would rather use a different type of filter.

Cleaning depends on the micron number of the filter itself. The aeromotive ones are available in 10, 40 or 100 micron.

[sickyute]

yeah i've seen it ... it's just a small thing that looks like a tea bag.

i'm going to get one ... will add to the to to list along with the cooler kit.

nice find...

u aren't going to place that one intank right?

[blueroadster]

No...It gets connected to the fuel line after the fuel pump (i.e, outside of the tank).

The only thing that I am not sure of at this point is if the fuel pump itself could be damaged if I removed the stock filter that is currently on it. I would assume the pump would be fine, but just want to verify.

[blueroadster]

After searching other car boards, I could not find a single link that mentioned removing the in tank fuel filter in a configuration like ours when using an external fuel filter. The very few links I could find mentioned keeping the stock fuel filter in place and adding the external fuel filter to the setup. One reference mentioned using a 10 micron in tank fuel filter and a 40 micron external fuel filter. That makes sense and I wonder what the micron number is for the stock fuel filter.

[sickyute]

good question ... i'm wondering the same thing...

however it does look very fine so it may just be 10 ...

so we get a 40 external ... good info ...

[Ben10]

The external filter will benefit you if you are also planing on upgrading the fuel feed system and not just the return.

The Walbro pump provided is good for 600 hp. with the return system the car is good for 450 and once we can go 475 + the fuel feed system will need to be upgraded and that is just because of the size lines.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by blueroadster

The other one I was looking at that I think would be better is the aeromotive fuel filter:

I have a couple friends that swear by Aeromotive....

[Janizary]

Are you certain the 'tea bag' you are seeing in the tank is the filter? Many vehicles have a 'sock' in-tank to prevent grit and other waste crap from getting into the fuel pump. My last two trucks and two project jeeps have a sock in the tank, then an upstream filter.

[blueroadster]

Originally Posted by Ben10

The external filter will benefit you if you are also planing on upgrading the fuel feed system and not just the return.

The Walbro pump provided is good for 600 hp. with the return system the car is good for 450 and once we can go 475 + the fuel feed system will need to be upgraded and that is just because of the size lines.

Thanks for the heads up. I plan to upgrade the fuel feed system as well. I just need to figure out a few minor things as well as what size line to run (guessing 6AN hose???). I would rather replace the fuel feed line at this time since I doubt the stock line is rated to support a high pressure fuel system.

In doing the above with an external filter, should the stock filter be removed or left in place (to provide somp protection to the fuel pump itself from picking up debris?

[blueroadster]

Originally Posted by Janizary

Are you certain the 'tea bag' you are seeing in the tank is the filter? Many vehicles have a 'sock' in-tank to prevent grit and other waste crap from getting into the fuel pump. My last two trucks and two project jeeps have a sock in the tank, then an upstream filter.

Good point...I was assuming the fuel filter was attached to the bottom of the fuel pump. I will to check the manual later to locate the filter's exact location.

[blueroadster]

The parts diagram identifies the "Filter Set, Fuel" as being item number 5 in the below PIC.



It is hard to tell where it is pointing so I'll definately need to check the manual.

[Janizary]

Looks like its making a square around most of the pump housing. That doesn't look right.

[sickyute]

and the only thing in the pump housing is the tea bag under the pump ... lol ...
it's true though ... there nothing else that looks to be a filter of any type in there except that tea bag looking thing ...

then there's the pump, the stock regulator, some lines and the housing ...

[blueroadster]

System 1 also has some 30 micron filters available with different AN fitting sizes:

[Ben10]

Originally Posted by blueroadster

System 1 also has some 30 micron filters available with different AN fitting sizes:

If u are going to run it after the pump, it will benefit you to run a 40 micron or higher filter

[blueroadster]

Is a 100 micron filter too high if the stock filter is completely removed from the system?

[blueroadster]

I'm thinking that in order to use an external fuel filter (and eliminate the stock fuel filter), then an external fuel pump will also be required...