How to change fuel filter

[poseclipse]

Where Is the filter? Do I need any special tools? How long does it take? Any suggestion well doing the fuel filter ie part, time savers,

 

[DSMcrazy3]

First of all be sure to relieve pressure in the fuel system before doing this. To do so pop your back seat off by pulling the plastic handle out and pulling up on the seat at that location, on both sides. Once it's off unbolt the 4 bolt cover on the passenger side, you can unbolt the one screw holding the harness down for extra clearance. Next you'll see 2 lines coming out of a brass colored circle, there is a plug on that, unplug it. Now go to turn the car on, when you crank it it will fire up, then die immediately. Do this, after it dies go ahead and do one more time just to be sure.

You don't need any special tools to change the fuel filter. It's not too hard of a job to do. You need to remove your battery, intake system and washer fluid resovoir to allow room for you hands. There is a mount it sits in bolted to the firewall. After you unbolt the mount you'll need to get the Banjo bolt on the top off. This was the hardest thing for me to do. Once you get that it's basically the same steps in reverse order. Once the banjo bolt comes loose be sure to get the crush washers from each side of it so you don't lose them. You will have fuel leaking if you don't re-install them.

 

[poseclipse]

I don't see the fuel filter under the hood i think it out side the car in the back by the wheel i belive im not sure thoe

 

[cs82685]

I don't see the fuel filter under the hood i think it out side the car in the back by the wheel i belive im not sure thoe

You are correct, he is referencing the early fuel system, you have the late fuel system
You can follow the first few steps with removing the back sat and depressurizing.

When you take the cover off after removing your back seat, you will see a metal line going into the fuel pump assembly and a rubber line. Follow the hard (metal) line. You will see the fuel filter a few feet away from the top of the tank underneath the car. It is round and held on by a bracket with two bolts. You just need regular hand tools to unbolt the fuel filter from the hard line. Remove the bolts from the bracket and unscrew the filter. I don't quite remember, but you may have to remove that square looking block next to the fuel filter. (I don't know what it's called) At the top of it you will see the stock FPR with the rubber return line coming out of that and going back to the top of the tank. Basically once you find the filter it should be pretty easy to figure out how to get off with just a few wrenchs and maybe some PB Blaster.

Here's a little diagram to help you see the layout of the fuel system a bit better. I made this to help explain installing an FMU, but you can ignore that part.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/578000-578999/578236_43_full.jpg

Hope that helps, also use the crush washers that come with the filter like said above so it doesn't leak, they should just be a few small copper washers

 

[shiftdrift06]

http://dsmtuner.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67761

Heres the Tech Article.....

 

[DSMcrazy3]

AHHH son of a B, totally forgot. yeah just jack the car up, and look underneath the pass. side you'll see the fuel filter..You're lucky you don't have to work in such a tight space.

Apologies again

 

[SonySlave]

I just did this on my 98 this past weekend... Be EXTREMELY careful when removing the bolt that's connected to the hard line! If you twist and bend the hard line, you could kink it permanently and really be in trouble... I learned that the hard way. I had to replace about 4 inches of the hard line using some rubber fuel hose (which specifically says "not for fuel injection" on it) to patch up the line temporarily until I can figure out how to either replace the whole hard line, or go steel braided or something... Any suggestions would be helpful! Just be careful!

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Any suggestions would be helpful!

You could get some rubber hose labeled "for fuel injection."

 

[cs82685]

You could get some rubber hose labeled "for fuel injection."

^^^That's why they made him a wiseman, . It shouldn't cost too much to fix it if you don't have the tools. They'll bend the line for you and the fittings are probably just brazed on.

 

[BigRand]

You could get some rubber hose labeled "for fuel injection."

The hose that we he used is for Fuel. Its just not for fuel injection, and apparently your not supposed to use hose on the main fuel supply line according to the chilitions manual that says "Do not use hose where a hardline is present"


AS for changing the filiter, please remember to use a second wrench to hold everything in place so you don't twerk or kink anything. It helps.

 

[dr1665]

Just an idea, since I've always done the backseat depressurization method...

Couldn't you just disconnect the fuel pump relay under the hood and crank the car until it dies? :\ Just a thought. Might save fifteen minutes off the job and leave you more restd for dicking with that filter under there.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

apparently your not supposed to use hose on the main fuel supply line according to the chilitions manual that says "Do not use hose where a hardline is present"

They say that for liability purposes... hose can be used anywhere, but the barb/clamp method that most people use to secure it isn't suitable for high pressures, and it is more prone to damage. Afterall, SS braided line is just a hose covered in SS braids, and people replace their fuel lines with that all the time. Hose would work just fine for a small repair (providing you secure it correctly: i.e. compression fittings/flare fittings), but hard line isn't that hard to find or to work with either: I was just being a smartass in that post.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Just an idea, since I've always done the backseat depressurization method...

Couldn't you just disconnect the fuel pump relay under the hood and crank the car until it dies? :\ Just a thought. Might save fifteen minutes off the job and leave you more restd for dicking with that filter under there.

Yep..Man I've been slacking with my brain lately.

 

[XMasta19]

wow josh way to go....lucky I wasn't here to correct you z

Early fuel system is awesome minus changing the fuel filter by the firewall

I always just disconnect the fuel pump relay, why lift the seat up etc for no reason


+1 for the e-thug

 

[Morel]

Incase someone here forgot to mention it, the fuel filter you get from Autozone or the like aren't the right filter for your car..

There computers will say it is, but it's not... I had to find one from walmart that fit by actually taking the old one and checking the fittings.. Because I have no patience to wait for one from rockauto.

Of course, they could have changed it from 95 to 98, but i'd make sure before you start taking things apart..

 

[XMasta19]

I had no problem just going to the parts store and grabbing one

 

[dr1665]

Of course, they could have changed it from 95 to 98, but i'd make sure before you start taking things apart..

Um... they did. In 95s, its in the engine bay on the firewall towards the passenger side. On 97 up, it's under the car just in front of the passenger rear wheel well.

I've never had any problems with a fuel filter from Autozone. You can always hold the new one next to the old one to see if they're the same. If not, you take it back and figure something else out, imo.

 

[BigRand]

They say that for liability purposes... hose can be used anywhere, but the barb/clamp method that most people use to secure it isn't suitable for high pressures, and it is more prone to damage. Afterall, SS braided line is just a hose covered in SS braids, and people replace their fuel lines with that all the time. Hose would work just fine for a small repair (providing you secure it correctly: i.e. compression fittings/flare fittings), but hard line isn't that hard to find or to work with either: I was just being a smartass in that post.

Well I can't really talk since I replace my whole fuel system with steel braided line

8-an going in and a 6-an return line.

Well they've been using it for years, no time to worry about it now.

 

[Morel]

Um... they did. In 95s, its in the engine bay on the firewall towards the passenger side. On 97 up, it's under the car just in front of the passenger rear wheel well.

I've never had any problems with a fuel filter from Autozone. You can always hold the new one next to the old one to see if they're the same. If not, you take it back and figure something else out, imo.

Really? I have a 96 talon, and mines along the passenger side door.

I went to 3 autoparts stores before I gave up. They all gave me one that didn't fit..

 

[XMasta19]

I think he meant 96 and up...basically early and late fuel systems. When I got mine, it was just off a shelf, didn't have to ask for it....and I don't even have an Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, O'Reillys etc up here

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Really? I have a 96 talon, and mines along the passenger side door.

95's and a select few 96's(probably the ones made in 95) have the filter mounted on the firewall as well as the 1 plug ECU.

Most 96's and all years after that have 2 plug ECU and the filter is mounted underneath the car by the gas tank.

 

[dr1665]

It's got something to do with when they officially made the switch from one to the other. My 97, which was made in August of 96, has the filter at the door. The 96 models were actually offered as early as September of 95, so a 96 model could have a 95 fuel system, depending on when it was made.

Basically, I would tell the counter monkey that I had a 98 if the filter was under the car, and a 95 if it was under the hood.

I know what you mean, though. I went in for brakes the first time and had to get pads for a 96, since the ones they sold me for a 97 didn't fit right.

 

[poseclipse]

Ok so thanks for so much info and input in to this forum. Today I am going to do the install of the fuel filter, the fuel filter i got cost me about 22 bucks at a local parts store the filter i got is a KEM GF953. Well in the process of changing it im also going to look for the code my car is triping the CEL code. The code comes up with evap canaster leak (large) it takes a while to come on when i reset the computer by unpluging the power I have people look at the code and they just tell me oh i can just delete the code and then 1 hour or so after i drive it comes up. I will try to get some pick on here Just for Other people that have not done this and are new to the worken on your own car bit, Im Also looking into doing a new bottom end for my car So i will be able to go turbo Maybe by next year when i get more money.

Sorry late thought about the install, The guy at the parts store told me to teflon the threads on the hoses that run into the filter is this a must I know with some items when teflon not really good due to teflon geting into the item when in use

 

[BigRand]

I"m not a fan of teflon tape around fuel.

 

[XMasta19]

teflon tape + fuel = no no in my book

It's great for oil lines and shiz, but don't get carried away