What the heck is this?

On the second gens, or atleast the 07 4.0.
In the engine compartment on the drivers side near the engine cover there is what looks to me like an inlind fuel filter. What is it? The dealership doesn't know, lol big surprise. I was wondering 1 day while I was there when we are supposed to replace our fuel filters, they said not for a long time. I still don't know what that is but since I only have 31k miles I'll assume around 100k. I'll get a picture loaded in a minute.

 

I'm not sure what it is...but i can tell you that the fuel filter is in the bed of the truck. you pull out that pocket compartment on the gas tank side and its suppose to be right there. and yea the fuel filter is suppose to last a while.....from what i hear they aren't your typical cheap 10-15 dollar filter

 

Ill never make that mistake again!

 

Dealer said the filter was in the tank. I don't usually go there unless there is warranty work to be done. In this trip they replaced my battery.

 

+1. That plastic piece that looks like a fuel filter is probably a check valve that prevents the vapor from going back in the direction it came from. It may also be a filter of some kind.

 

After doing some more research I'm tending to agree that it is a filter. GM used to use a filter like that on brake boosters to prevent the vapor from the intake getting into the booster.

 

What I don't get is that it is empty inside. You can see right through it and when you blow there is no resistance. Nor does it smell of fuel, or taste.

 

Its called a Vaccum tank and cost $24.60 I'm willing to bet I could run a hose without it. I can't figure out why there are no guts to this little thing, I am assuming its like the old vaccum canisters from back in the day. They had some black porus material in them and smelled of fuel though. Not to mention they were huge on 70 model vehicles.

 

An air baffle of some sorts maybe? Like an expansion chamber or something of that manner?

 

Well, there you go.