FueLab 818 after having issues changing fuel filter

[hellraisin']

I purchased an OEM fuel filter for my 98 Talon TSi AWD. The fuel filter on the car currently is the original and the car has 97,000 miles. I went to change it and the filter started spinning in the housing when I tried to remove the banjo bolt. So I removed the fuel line to the rail thinking I'd get it off that way. Nope. Then I tried getting the line out of the bottom of the fuel filter by holding the line with a 14mm line wrench and spinning the filter via the banjo bolt. Still nothing after massive amounts of pressure, PB Blaster and LST other than rounding out the the fitting and bending the bracket.

So, I purchased a FueLab 818 complete fuel feed upgrade kit from ExtremePSi.com The product has one comment which states:

"Recommend this for everyone. I did this upgrade because I had a clogged filter. The car has 170k and is nearly bone stock. The fitting holding the clogged filter were frozen and the feed line at the sending unit had torn so I decided to just cut the feed line out and go this route. Installation was a breeze. It will be 100 times easier to get to my pump whenever I upgrade it. Not to mention it looks Hella clean."

So it sounds like they were in a similar predicament as I'm in.

Is there anything unforeseen as for installing this kit? Seems like everything I go to do on this car turns out to be a nightmare. Even something as simple as changing a fuel filter. Just want to make sure I'm not running into yet another brick wall in trying to get this car back to it's former glory.

Also, I have an STM fuel pump rewiring kit and a Walbro 190 that has yet to be installed. So, during installation of the FueLab 818 installing the Walbro 190 would be a prime time to do so.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Have you tried a impact on the top banjo to break it loose? Worked for me on mine. Also to loosen the lower line you put a wrench on the filter (19mm I think) then the 14mm and it will come loose.

 

[hellraisin']

I could try but the hardline would still be stuck in the filter on the bottom which is the bigger problem. Thus not being of much help. And the filter spinning freely in the housing doesn't help either.

I already bent the metal section of the fuel filter to fuel rail hose with a 2 foot breaker bar by trying to hold onto it to keep the filter from spinning in the housing.

FueLab 818 is on the way, should be here later this week. The fuel filter location and overall design isn't the best. But I'm sure the oxidation of the metal over the past couple decades contributes to the difficulties removing it as well.

Just wondering how the 818 is to install. Hoping I don't run into another brick wall while trying to run from problem A. It seems pretty straight forward but so did replacing the fuel filter.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Yes i understand what you mean. Have you tried using the bottom where you can put a wrench on? I know it's hard to see but it's there. That's really the only solid place to hold them. If you can use a impact and remove the top banjo. It makes it easier to do the bottom. In the pic you can see the spot for the 19mm wrench. Once your holding that it shouldn't spin. Unless it's crazy rusted and broke.

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