Fuel Filter Full?

ronskydivepops · 11-27-2005

Here's another question that's been bugging me! Maybe one of you can help. Should my see thru fuel filter be full, half full, or near empty when the engine is idling? Mine seems to have a mind of it's own.

spdkilz02 · 11-27-2005

on my gt when it is running it seems to be almost full...there is a little air bubble on the top side of the filter...

GTJIM · 11-27-2005

Someone must know the answer to this - I have even filled mine with fuel before installing it and it half empties itself again. The motor does not seem to be starving for fuel though ......

asdasc · 11-27-2005

I think it really depends on the orientation. Mine is pretty much full of gas always, and stands up on end with inlet at the bottom and exit on the top.

I think if you lay it sideways, it will never fill completely as the air can't get out.

How are your positioned?

spdkilz02 · 11-27-2005

so which really would be the best way to have it..or doesnt it really matter?

yellaopelgt · 11-28-2005

mine is of the clear glass type and stands on end. It is always full and have not had any issues with it as of yet.

ronskydivepops · 11-28-2005

As usual the simple solution is unattainable with the GT. My sons always tease me about tinkering with an old bucket of bolts like my GT. They tell me I should buy a real sportscar like a corvette. My response-who do you think designed the corvette, after he designed the GT?? Then I pop the hood on whatever new, modern car they may be driving and ask them to find the oil dipstick within 30 seconds.
I think I may need to do some more research. I probably have a fuel pressure problem or an intake leak still. I thought I had solved the intake leak with two gaskets at the intake/exhaust manifold, and replacing the carb hold down studs. More tinkering with my bucket of antigue bolts, while my sons search for the dipstick-which I removed when they weren't looking!!!
Maybe I should buy a corvette-so I could dream about tinkering with a real sportscar-MY GT Stands for Get Tinkering!!

Wolf Spyder · 11-28-2005

In installed a see-through filter and it sits at a 45 degree angle. While running it is almost full, when stopped it goes down to about 1/2.

asdasc · 11-28-2005

I would think that if the float on your carb makes a good seal when raised, that no air could get back in the line, and the filter would be the same running as not running. The only way that the level should drop would be if air is getting into the line somewhere between the filter and the carb bowl.

Double check the hose clamps and connections between the two points as well as the little rubber tip on the fuel float mechanism.

ronskydivepops · 11-28-2005

I just rebuilt the Weber and all the fuel lines are new and tight. I do notice a slow sequence of air bubbles coming from the carb end of the filter after I shut off the engine. OGTS states that "if the "bowl" of this filter looks less than half full, you will instantly know to check for a vacuum or fuel system problem." I put a new fuel pump in a few years back. I haven't driven the car really-about 21 miles around the block. I wonder if I should think of an electric fuel pump? I've heard it mentioned before, so it's back to more Get Tinkering!!

tekenaar · 11-28-2005

OK, read all the previous posts, so here's my thoughts . . .

As some have noted, fuel filter orientation is the ONLY thing that affects the 'apparent' fuel level in the filter. Here's what I've observed since the '50s on carbed engine fuel feed, regardless of fuel pump type used . . . electrical or mechanical.

Filter mounted vertically, fuel entering at bottom and out the top, is the only way it will remain totally 'filled' . . . WHILE RUNNING! Once engine is stopped, all bets are off!

Filter mounted at any angle will initially completely fill when engine is first started and then gradually 'drain' to the point of fuel level remaining up to the top of filter exit nipple. Cannot give you any reason why, just that it does.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to note is that it makes NO DIFFERENCE in engine operation . . . pump is not defective nor is carb's needle/seat inlet valve. With carbs you're looking at ~3.5 psi fuel pressure so it's typically not hose clamps either.

Have to think a little 'outside the box' on this one, guys . . . according to my experience anyway.

baz · 11-28-2005

fit a black one so you cant see the fuel and forget it is my take on it

just change it each time you do the oil

11-27-2005	#1 (permalink)
ronskydivepops Destiny is to Fly Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sanford, Florida Posts: 290	Unanswered: Fuel Filter Full? Here's another question that's been bugging me! Maybe one of you can help. Should my see thru fuel filter be full, half full, or near empty when the engine is idling? Mine seems to have a mind of it's own.

11-27-2005	#2 (permalink)
spdkilz02 1000 Post Club Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,734	on my gt when it is running it seems to be almost full...there is a little air bubble on the top side of the filter... __________________ Adam

11-27-2005	#3 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	Please! Someone must know the answer to this - I have even filled mine with fuel before installing it and it half empties itself again. The motor does not seem to be starving for fuel though ...... __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved

11-27-2005	#4 (permalink)
asdasc Senior Contributor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mt. Clemens, Michigan Posts: 888	I think it really depends on the orientation. Mine is pretty much full of gas always, and stands up on end with inlet at the bottom and exit on the top. I think if you lay it sideways, it will never fill completely as the air can't get out. How are your positioned? __________________ Steve "ever notice you are never done tinkering with the GT?" Never mind, I am WAAAY beyond tinkering now...[/SIGPIC]

11-27-2005	#5 (permalink)
spdkilz02 1000 Post Club Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,734	so which really would be the best way to have it..or doesnt it really matter? __________________ Adam

11-28-2005	#6 (permalink)
yellaopelgt No....its not a Buick.... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: IL. Posts: 1,042 Provided Answers: 1	mine is of the clear glass type and stands on end. It is always full and have not had any issues with it as of yet.

11-28-2005	#7 (permalink)
ronskydivepops Destiny is to Fly Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sanford, Florida Posts: 290	Fuel filter As usual the simple solution is unattainable with the GT. My sons always tease me about tinkering with an old bucket of bolts like my GT. They tell me I should buy a real sportscar like a corvette. My response-who do you think designed the corvette, after he designed the GT?? Then I pop the hood on whatever new, modern car they may be driving and ask them to find the oil dipstick within 30 seconds. I think I may need to do some more research. I probably have a fuel pressure problem or an intake leak still. I thought I had solved the intake leak with two gaskets at the intake/exhaust manifold, and replacing the carb hold down studs. More tinkering with my bucket of antigue bolts, while my sons search for the dipstick-which I removed when they weren't looking!!! Maybe I should buy a corvette-so I could dream about tinkering with a real sportscar-MY GT Stands for Get Tinkering!!

11-28-2005	#8 (permalink)
Wolf Spyder Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 412	In installed a see-through filter and it sits at a 45 degree angle. While running it is almost full, when stopped it goes down to about 1/2.

11-28-2005	#9 (permalink)
asdasc Senior Contributor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mt. Clemens, Michigan Posts: 888	I would think that if the float on your carb makes a good seal when raised, that no air could get back in the line, and the filter would be the same running as not running. The only way that the level should drop would be if air is getting into the line somewhere between the filter and the carb bowl. Double check the hose clamps and connections between the two points as well as the little rubber tip on the fuel float mechanism. __________________ Steve "ever notice you are never done tinkering with the GT?" Never mind, I am WAAAY beyond tinkering now...[/SIGPIC]

11-28-2005	#10 (permalink)
ronskydivepops Destiny is to Fly Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sanford, Florida Posts: 290	Fuel filter I just rebuilt the Weber and all the fuel lines are new and tight. I do notice a slow sequence of air bubbles coming from the carb end of the filter after I shut off the engine. OGTS states that "if the "bowl" of this filter looks less than half full, you will instantly know to check for a vacuum or fuel system problem." I put a new fuel pump in a few years back. I haven't driven the car really-about 21 miles around the block. I wonder if I should think of an electric fuel pump? I've heard it mentioned before, so it's back to more Get Tinkering!!

11-28-2005	#11 (permalink)
tekenaar Cunning Linguist Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plano, TX 75074 Posts: 4,441 Real Name: Otto Provided Answers: 13	Fuel filters . . . OK, read all the previous posts, so here's my thoughts . . . As some have noted, fuel filter orientation is the ONLY thing that affects the 'apparent' fuel level in the filter. Here's what I've observed since the '50s on carbed engine fuel feed, regardless of fuel pump type used . . . electrical or mechanical. Filter mounted vertically, fuel entering at bottom and out the top, is the only way it will remain totally 'filled' . . . WHILE RUNNING! Once engine is stopped, all bets are off! Filter mounted at any angle will initially completely fill when engine is first started and then gradually 'drain' to the point of fuel level remaining up to the top of filter exit nipple. Cannot give you any reason why, just that it does. The MOST IMPORTANT thing to note is that it makes NO DIFFERENCE in engine operation . . . pump is not defective nor is carb's needle/seat inlet valve. With carbs you're looking at ~3.5 psi fuel pressure so it's typically not hose clamps either. Have to think a little 'outside the box' on this one, guys . . . according to my experience anyway. __________________ 1960: ♥ '61 Rekord PII 1.7 3S 3.9 ♥ '69 Kadett LS 'sprint' 1.9 3A 3.18 1970: ♥ '70 GT 1.9 4S 3.44 ♥ '72 GT 2.2SSD 5S 3.44 ♥ '72 GT 2.4FI 5S 3.44P ♥ '73 GT 1.9FI 4S 3.44 ♥ '75 1900 1.9FI 4S 3.44 1980: ♥ '85 Bitter SC 3.9FI 5S 3.44P 2000: ♥ '09 Solstice GXP Coupe 2.0 SIDI VVT Turbo 5S 3.73P Last edited by tekenaar; 11-28-2005 at 01:44 PM.

11-28-2005	#12 (permalink)
baz opel free after 26 years Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: sunderland england Posts: 4,941 Real Name: barry williams Provided Answers: 4	fit a black one so you cant see the fuel and forget it is my take on it just change it each time you do the oil __________________ Copyright © 2003-2009 barry williams All Rights Reserved save praying to God for sunday today we pray to Nike and run like hell

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