咦，那末多人建议换fuel filter, 怎麽没人说说为啥呢？

I noticed that there were a lot of people suggesting replacing fuel filter when seeing some starting/idling/running related issues. I'm a bit surprised to see so far no direct response to my appeal (or confirm) for sharing the symptoms associated with the fuel filter problem. My intention is just to share the experience or knowledge.

I believe the old saying: "if it ain't break, don't fix it". I remember few years ago I had a 2003 BJ Jeep (小妾) in Shanghai (俺也赶潮龟了一把) and I used to take it to a nearby small car shop for regular oil change maintenance work. I'm sure all you know that the labor cost is very low in China. So this time I was asked to change my fuel filter along with oil filter as part of the package. I didn’t see anything wrong with the fuel filter, but since it doesn’t cost much extra so I told them OK to replace it (so they can make few extra RMB, I thought). I drove away right after the work being done and on the way to Pudong airport to pick up my brother. In the middle of the driving, I could smell gasoline. Since all the windows were closed, I supposed that the car in front of me must be having a leaking gas tank. After picking up and on the way back, I could still smell the gas. It became stronger when I opened the windows. Then I became suspicious. Finally, I pulled over and came out to check. That’s when I saw gasoline dripping underneath my Jeep. I instantly realized what had happened: the guy must have forgotten to tighten the screw and I could see the gas is shooting out from the crack between the gas tubing (from gas tank) and fuel filter joint... It’s fortunate that it didn’t catch fire even though the location of the fuel filter is underneath the mid section of the Jeep bottom and close to the exhaust pipe. I had to wait till the inside gas pressure subside and then push the car away from the gas puddle on the ground before crawling underneath and tightening the screw. I went back to the shop complaining to the owner. But, you know, service and quality are not high on their priority list. He just shouted to the poorly trained employee and that was it.