Owning a Mercedes is a luxury that you have earned and deserve. When you purchase your Mercedes, you know that it comes equipped with a sleekly-designed exterior, a beautifully-crafted interior, and a powerful engine. As your Mercedes gets older, there are parts that will need to be replaced. One of those parts is the fuel filter. This piece is key in maintaining your accustomed performance level.
Whenever you think of a filter replacement, it is entirely possible that the fuel filter is the last one that comes to mind. Usually, drivers immediately think of the air filter or the oil filter. These filters are important, but the fuel filter is equally integral to your Mercedes’ performance. Below, we will discuss the fuel filter, signs that it is plugged or clogged, and give you information about maintaining a timely replacement schedule.
What is the fuel filter and what does it do?
In order for your Mercedes to run as efficiently as possible, there needs to be a fuel filter attached to the fuel tank. When the fuel is pulled from the tank, it immediately passes through the fuel filter before being mixed with air and before it makes it to the engine. The fuel filter separates any sediments and impurities that may be found in the fuel.
Sediment can collect and rest on the inside of the fuel tank. This can be stirred up every time the fuel is moved from the tank to be used in the engine. Sediment can enter the fuel tank when filling up at the gas station, because the fuel is sitting in underground tanks. Impurities are just another name for the sediment or anything else that is not fuel that ends up in the fuel tank.
Regardless of how impurities get into your fuel tank, it is imperative that they do not pass into the engine; hence, the sole purpose of the fuel filter.
Signs of a Plugged Fuel Filter
The first sign of a plugged fuel filter is poor fuel mileage. You will spend more money at the gas station because the plugged fuel filter is preventing the right amount of fuel to enter the engine. It may also allow more impurities to pass through with the fuel. Both of these instances are damaging to the engine and will cause your Mercedes to experience poor gas mileage.
Another sign of a plugged fuel filter is difficulties starting your Mercedes. This may indicate that there is a blockage in the fuel filter. It could be caused by sediment and impurities. Your Mercedes may still start, but it may take a lot longer for the engine to run. If left unaddressed, this can cause your Mercedes engine to not start at all.
In this instance, your Mercedes is no longer able to pull any fuel from your gas tank. The fuel filter is completely plugged and needs to be replaced for your vehicle to run. It is best to catch the need for replacement before it gets to this point so you are not left stranded.
Replacing the Fuel Filter
When you start to notice one of the previously-mentioned signs, it is time to take your Mercedes in for servicing. This is especially important in the springtime because your Mercedes has a greater chance of getting impurities from pollen or flower petals into the fuel tank. These will be caught by the fuel filter, but if is already somewhat plugged, then the springtime elements can double the clogging effect to your Mercedes’ fuel filter.
At Das European Autohaus, we specialize in all types of European vehicles, particularly your Mercedes. We are conveniently located in the Spring and Houston, TX areas. Our trained and certified mechanics will use the latest tools to diagnose your Mercedes issues and replace the fuel filter with a dealership-quality part but without the dealership price. You will leave our shop with a new fuel filter and a Mercedes that runs efficiently and is a joy to drive.
