TheSubaruJunkie Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 So my Brat decided to stop running yesterday. It runs, just doesnt idle all that well. Anyway, I traced the trouble to bad fuel filters, and I know the EA81 has two. I have been to 3 parts stores and managed to only find 1 of the two filters. The one I have has the vapor seperator, and is the one that goes under the hood. I am thinking, since I cannot find the filter that goes next to the pump, maybe I can just bypass it?? Does the EA81 really need 2 fuel filters? Seriously, what makes it so special?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asis Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 How did you "trace" it to fuel filters? Doesn't sound like a filter issue to me at least "now" unless some crud got past and now in the carb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themoneypit Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 given the years of ea81s.. you have to expect rust in the tank.. usually when the filter plugs to the point that its undriveable, it means its getting full or rust. had this happen several times. i would def keep both filters!! IIRC the primary filter (underneath car) filters the gas before it goes into the pump. if you remove this one, rust will go thru the fuel pump and ultimately burn it out, or clog a line somewhere that will be next to impossible to find. instead of the chain stores like auto zone, etc... try a napa, or no name place. the local napa here usually has the primary one in stock. worst case, cap of the vapor port on the one you found and put it as the primary filter. years ago, a buddy of mine had an ea81 with a rusty tank. he would keep a couple primary filters in the glove box and a pair of pliers for the clamps. about once a week he would all of a sudden lose power, but it would idle fine. he would change that filter on the side of the road and itd be good as new until next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) It keeps crap out of the fuel pump. It really is the *only* "fuel filter" as the one under the hood is primarily a vapor seperator - it just happens to have a filter element in it. The one under the car is more important as it protects your fuel pump. But - you don't need the silly plastic one. Get one of the EMPI universal glass filters and a couple feet of 5/16" fuel line. The EMPI filters are serviceable and the glass is nice because you can clearly see the condition of the filter element - they are about $8 to $10 - totally worth the extra couple bucks. You can either clean the element (compressed air, etc), or when they get too nasty you can get a pack of like 3 of them for $5 or so. These: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260505984251&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=f894a8f81260a02663b0e780ffec6a50&rvr_id=&ua=%3F*I7&itemid=260505984251 I get them locally so no shipping but about the same price. Around $8. Napa carries a similar filter but with a different brand name and brass hose barbs. I rather like the EMPI better though. I'm also wondering if it's not the filters though - filters usually show they are clogged by only allowing idling and slow speed operation - when you get into the throttle or load up the engine then they can't pass enough fuel and the bowl empties out. But I know you are a decent mechanic Brian so I trust that you know what you are doing..... GD Edited April 1, 2010 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asis Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carfreak85 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 EA81Ts only came with the under-hood fuel filter, so there ya go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 EA81Ts only came with the under-hood fuel filter, so there ya go... Completely different fuel pump - the rotory style FI pumps are much more forgiving with respect to sediment, etc. They will pass that stuff without as much damage (thus you don't see a filter before SPFI or EA/EJ MPFI pump's either). The diaphram style pumps on the other hand (carb pumps) can be damaged much more easily by sediment. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carfreak85 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Completely different fuel pump - the rotory style FI pumps are much more forgiving with respect to sediment, etc. They blah blah blah GD Details, details... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 i misunderstood when we talked last night B.....i was inebriated....ummm, i always used a cheapo fram filter with weirdo outlets shaped like an L underneath.....i just took mine off and went to the store.found one in the stocked items that looked kinda like it, and hooked it up.....a fuel filter is a fuel filter.....and then i would take the vapor separator and replace it with a good 'ol chevy 350 inline fuel filter, but the one GD posted up is nicer...cheers,B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted April 2, 2010 Author Share Posted April 2, 2010 i misunderstood when we talked last night B.....i was inebriated....ummm, i always used a cheapo fram filter with weirdo outlets shaped like an L underneath.....i just took mine off and went to the store.found one in the stocked items that looked kinda like it, and hooked it up.....a fuel filter is a fuel filter.....and then i would take the vapor separator and replace it with a good 'ol chevy 350 inline fuel filter, but the one GD posted up is nicer...cheers,B Yeah that is what I am used to buying too... but seriously, all 3 stores i went to didn't have that type. I knew I had purchased a spare fuel filter for my old truck, and never used it. And luckily it was still in the packaging and was the right filter for the job! So i replaced them both. The old filter I took out, nearest the tank, I emptied into a clean magnetic tray... and there was a TON of sediment that came out. You could also tell the age of the filter and it's need to be replaced. I am certain some of that junk made it into the carb and that is what is causing me trouble now. I performed a few tricks on the ole' hitachi using some MMO & a piece of cardboard... and was able to suck most the crap through. The car ran great after the new filters and the short cleaning session. I drove it across town and back and it had more power than probably ever... But shortly after it started to buck. It doesnt want to stall as easily, and if i can get the revs up to 2,000 i can slip the clutch and power through it. I am going to take it out on the freeway tonight to let it cycle a clean tank... then see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I would think about draining the gas tank every few years into a pail and then pouring it back down the neck thru a screened funnel to catch some of the junk. Its nice having a drainplug on the fuel tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiemech85 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 the car ran great after the new filters and the short cleaning session. I drove it across town and back and it had more power than probably ever... But shortly after it started to buck. It doesnt want to stall as easily, and if i can get the revs up to 2,000 i can slip the clutch and power through it. i am going to take it out on the freeway tonight to let it cycle a clean tank... Then see what happens. anti-diesel solenoid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 . I've got a "sometimes" similar problem with mine. Brian, please let us know if any of the "stuff" you try works. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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