Does the fuel filter come before or after the fuel pump?

Question

This is a new ? to the same problem I listed earlier tonight. My 02 Nissan Xterra stopped running 2 nights ago. The cause was determined to be a bad fuel pump. NTB put a new pump on tonight but then went to turn the car on and no joy. It is cranking but it acts if though there is no gas in the gas. The car has a 1/2 of a tank. So I am wondering, based upon other answers posted, if the new fuel pump is actually good but if the fuel filter comes AFTER the fuel pump then if it is clogged then it would not move gas to the engine, right? I suppose if the fuel filter is between the gas tank and the pump, that could also cause it to appear as if the fuel pump was bad if it isn't getting any gas to it. I guess I am just wondering if NTB has been racing around to keep replacing the fuel pump and never bothered to check the fuel filter. The car has 140k miles on it and to my knowledge the fuel filter MAY have been changed once?

Answer 1

Your filter will ALWAYS come after the fuel pump.





Think about it, otherwise it wouldn't filter correctly

and it would put a strain on your pump.



A fuel filter is very very cheap and can be changed

in about 10 minutes, even for a novice.

Just make sure the IN and OUT arrows

are pointing the same way it was when

you put it on.



If that doesn't fix it I am going to recommend

you use an additive to clean your injectors

and see if that fixes you up. One of those

should fix your problem.

Good Luck

Answer 2

The fuel filter usually comes after the fuel pump, but in either case, with the filter clogged, no gas would get to the engine.



Usually, it's a good idea to change the fuel filter when you change the fuel pump, I'm surprised that NTB didn't do that.

Answer 3

Best way to find out. the fuel pump is most likely in the tank the fuel filter is in line most of the time its on the right side of car as you sit in car.. remove the fuel line going in thefilter from the tank. then turn on the key and see if it pumps. if not try cracking it if no fuel comes out then check the fuse and all check the fuel pump relay it could be bad

Answer 4

the pump pumps gas through the filter to the engine, but you can hear the pump run for about 2 seconds when you switch on the ignition, if the temperature is very low ice crystals can form in the pump and stop it running, diesel turns to jelly at about 1 degree C and will not pump at all