[georgef]

There is a fuel filter in the tank of your 2001, it is a pretty sure bet there is no fuel filter on the OP's 2006, just a strainer.

Yes, the 2001 thru 2003 (and possibly some early 2004) models do have an in-line filter locate above the tank, there is also a strainer on the fuel pump located inside the tank. The later models only have the strainer.

 

[itsallgood]

For what it's worth, I don't think it does any disservice to kindly advise against replacing an item in a thread like this, and it's my impression that's what has happened.

True. You will find two types of people on this forum. Those that what for stuff to break, then fix it. Those that are proactive and replace stuff before it breaks. I for one hate break downs and will do whatever I can to prevent them. The way I see it, you will pay now or later. usually the later you pay more.

 

[RIP]

True. You will find two types of people on this forum. Those that what for stuff to break, then fix it. Those that are proactive and replace stuff before it breaks. I for one hate break downs and will do whatever I can to prevent them. The way I see it, you will pay now or later. usually the later you pay more.

What dead horse?

Been cruisin minivan forums for 10 years. I've seen ASC Certified Techs with years of experience state they have yet to see a fuel filter cause a problem on one of these vans . I've read of it twice in 10 years. One cracked at a seam and caused a massive leak. Breakdown? I haven't had a breakdown in 40 years. Have you?

 

[itsallgood]

What dead horse?

Been cruisin minivan forums for 10 years. I've read several times ASC Certified Techs with years of experience state they have yet to see a fuel filter cause a problem on one of these vans . I've read of it twice in 10 years. Anymore they are like light bulbs. I haven't changed a single bulb due to a failure on my 21 year old van and I bought it new in 95.

How true you are. Basic logic suggest that the longer you keep the vehicle and the higher the mileage, things are going to need to be replaced. Our van is over 15 yrs. old and I replaced our fuel filter at 185K for only $62. Not that it needed it, but to preserve the fuel pump. ( We pay more in gas fill ups in two weeks, then the cost of this part) Since I'm a DIY, it was money well spent as preventive maintenance and only took like an hour to do.

 

[shipo]

Actually, the fuel filter is on top of the tank. The fuel pump has a screen strainer on the bottom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5686a_U6uXQ

Once again, for your 2001 you are correct, for the OP's 2006 vintage van there is no fuel filter in the tank, above the tank, or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[itsallgood]

Anybody know why they did away with the in-line fuel filter? It would seem that a in-line filter is better then just the screen on the bottom of the fuel pump.

 

[Jeepman]

Anybody know why they did away with the in-line fuel filter? It would seem that a in-line filter is better then just the screen on the bottom of the fuel pump.

Saves 0.00001+/- gallons of gas between fill-ups, sort of like the savings with 20 grade oil.

 

[shipo]

Anybody know why they did away with the in-line fuel filter? It would seem that a in-line filter is better then just the screen on the bottom of the fuel pump.

Simple answer, most if not all manufacturers selling new cars into the U.S. and Canadian markets have stopped building new cars with fuel filters. Why? No long necessary.

 

[fatalalbert]

Add me to your count (maybe that makes it two hands?). The fuel pump in my 1995 Grand Voyager went at about 150K miles. (When they replaced it, they recommended a new fuel filter. I declined, since I knew that on my van it was fairly easy to replace the fuel filter. After they replaced the fuel pump, I replaced the fuel filter myself.)

I call dibs on one of the fingers that second hand. Mine went out right ~ 100k. It was covered by an ext warranty I got at time of sale at CarMax, and they replaced the filter too"while we had it all apart anyway".