Investigating the Effect of Gasoline Fuel Filter Lifetime on Fuel Pressure and Ignition Advance Using the RSM Method

In internal combustion engines, the fuel system is one of the most accurate and sensitive parts of the engine. In this study, the effect of fuel filter lifetime on engine characteristics was examined experimentally. The main parameters examined in this study were fuel pressure and ignition advance. Then, using the response surface method (RSM), the interaction effect of the variables on the engine ignition advance was examined and a smart control system was designed to determine the appropriate time to change the fuel filter in an engine and inform the user. The maximum inlet pressure of the gasoline filter with a filter lifetime of 50,000 km was measured as 4.5 bar. Also, the lowest amount of inlet pressure, if using a new filter, was measured as 3.5 bar. The results of this study showed that the fuel filter lifetime also has a significant effect on the main parameters of the engine, such as the weight ratio of the fuel-to-air mixture and the ignition advance. Studies in Euro2 and Euro4 engines have shown that the ignition advance at 1,000 rpm engine speed with a new fuel filter was seven degrees (minimum value), while the maximum ignition advance at 5,000 rpm engine speed and with a 50,000 km filter lifetime was measured at 37 degrees. The results showed that gasoline filter clogging has a significant effect on fuel pressure, fuel-to-air mixing ratio, and ignition advance, which in turn will have a direct impact on combustion quality and engine efficiency.