Hi, this is my first posting in the forum, and hopefully I get my confusion cleared on fuel filter.
1. I've seen famous youtubers say to replace it every once in a while, maybe every 5k miles. They show really dirty filters. Is that necessary for Accord?
2. When I researched this forum, Strainer is only a part. Fuel filter is the plastic casing of the fuel pump. So this casing is what I need to replace, right?
3. Again researching this forum, I read the fuel filter is just a metal mesh that filters out big stuff. So if it is not paper, I don't see why I need to change it. The whole idea is not to stress the water pump. Am I right?
4. Do I want to buy OEM, or aftermarket part?
5. I have a maintenance book from Haynes. It tells me to change the gasket on the flange. Where (online store) do I find it? Or only at honda dealers?
6. Who makes the fuel pump? Denso? Honda charges $400+, but you can buy Denso one for $100+. Fuel filter costs $35, and strainer $5. So if Denso is the actual OEM, then maybe I just keep on until it stops working. Not much saving. (Of course, it is a pain that your car stops on a road because the fuel pump gives up)

Thank you!

 

Unless you are living in a third world country, you do not need to change the fuel filter that often. I would guess many people might go 200,000 miles in between. I think I change mine every 10 year or 100,000 miles, never an issue with these cars. Someone is pulling your chain with that stuff.
Don't mess with the fuel pump or what is in the tank unless there is a reason. Cars go entire lifetimes with no changes to the mesh. Easily 200,000 miles unless it has sat for a long time and something gives you a reason. Just an FYI, famous doesn't mean smart, just famous.

With these cars, their preventative maintenance, but this is way down the line of things to go take a look at. If you want to refresh items, get under and look at your bushings and suspension, much more likely to be something that needs replacement.

 

This car has 100K miles, 20 years old. It has never been changed. Still don't touch it? You changed yours at that interval. Thanks for your response!

 

I would get one of these famous Youtuber folks to come change your filter every 5k miles...lol You have to drop the tank to change the fuel filter in this chassis,it is really not practical at all. These filters are lifetime from Honda. However, If you are filling up from a station with poor fuel quality or lacking filter changes, it's time to change your gas station. Most quality gas stations use a micron filter on their pumps that is better than the one in your car and they should change them on a regular basis. Again, the filter on your 6th gen is lifetime. so if or when the fuel pump finally fails, drop the fuel tank and change it out then. Ether that or if you are worried about it, replace the entire fuel sending unit now for piece of mind.

 

The fuel filter/pump is accessible from the trunk. So it is not hard, but not as easy as taking two clamps off to replace the filter. But I will absolutely change the gas station. I used to use the closest one to the office, and it was a cheap station.

Sounds like this is not a definite part of preventive maintenance...

 

No, not part of preventative maintenance.

Wires, plugs, cap and rotor, yes. Oil and filter, yes. Shocks and springs, at that age, yes. Upper and lower control arms at that age, yes. brakes, yes, when needed. transmission fluid, every 20,000 miles or so, yes.

But not what you are doing unless you want to. Unless you are trying to solve something, I would work on the other stuff way before I would get to the fuel filter myself.

 

I see. I will leave it alone. I have other problems. Thank you very much!