Fuel Filter. How often should it be changed?

[RedM]

As per the title, how often should a fuel filter be changed and what benefits does a fresh one have?

[Digsy]

Its part of the "B" service, so its every 27000 miles by the book.

..although to my shame when I tried to DIY it I bottled out of trying to get the unions undone and left the thing on, meaning to get someone else to do it. Come the next "B" service, it's still OK.

[RedM]

I read somewhere (wikipedia?) that if your filter is clogged it can cause a noticeable loss of power as the engine struggles to get enough fuel.

True?

[TyranoSupraRex]

I didn't change mine for 3 years (laziness). When I changed it I was glad I did. Won't skip that step again....

[RedM]

I didn't change mine for 3 years (laziness). When I changed it I was glad I did. Won't skip that step again....

Explain.

[TyranoSupraRex]

I was experiencing slight jerkiness at higher speeds and bad throttle response. After changing the fuel filter the jerkiness stopped and the power felt far more progressive and smooth. It's so easy to change and not worth ignoring really. Lean is not good...

[letmeshowyou]

I suspect my interestingly high power figure at the SRR day was down to running a bit lean with a clogged filter. I changed it straight afterwards and couldn't believe how bad it was!