Removing Fuel Filter

[ian_maham]

I recently began the process of removing the fuel filter. I cant seem to get this top nut off. Its not where the wrench is(that's just there, so I can stead my other wrench), its the top nut. Any suggestions, I tried WD40 and some other lubricants. Also can I take off hose 1(I don't know where it leads to that's why I'm asking you) without it spraying gas on me or destroying my car? The removal of that hose would make things so much easier.

Also I have seen people start from the bottom up. Do you suggest that?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[the_mork]

The hose leads to your fuel rails. It requires two bolts to remove it from there. The fuel is pressurized but you'll have to relieve that pressure somewhere and in my opinion it is probably easier to pull the line from the rail and just close your eyes. Usually it will just spill a bit of fuel but always consider safety, you wont hurt yourself unless you get gasoline in your eyes so either wear safety glasses or pull the hose off with your eyes closed, pulling the bolts out is completely safe as long as you don't pull on the hose.

As I said before probably fuel will just drain out a bit and not spray out at all but it is worth being safe.

 

[PIMking]

hose one that you speak of is to A/C. I dont have it on my car. you just need to leave the filter in bracket and then take the banjo bolt out. its going to be pretty tight so you might want to try to use two wrenches to get some extra lenght out of it and tourque.

 

[1997_GSX]

Hose number one looks kinda like the heater core hose or the ac hard to tell from this angle, don't take it off, you will leak coolant all over or freon...

I recommend you use a wrench on the top also, it will take a lot of force. Find somebody strong...

I did mine when I had the transmission out, made it easier but it was still hard, but look at it this way once you get it changed you wont have to do it for another 60k miles.

 

[the_mork]

Yeah, sorry I thought you were talking about the fuel hose.

 

[ian_maham]

WOW just to be 100% about that hose. This hose CAN NOT be removed. I would like to keep my face pretty.

 

[PIMking]

Hose one is for the A/C Like I said in my first post.

If your ac is toast or you dont want it you can remove it. I did with my 91 and took the ac compressor out too. just make sure that there is no pressure in the system.

 

[ian_maham]

Hose one is for the A/C Like I said in my first post.

If your ac is toast or you dont want it you can remove it. I did with my 91 and took the ac compressor out too. just make sure that there is no pressure in the system.

Well dang, I'm just gonna have to leave it there cause its summer and I don't wanna roast in my car if I screw it up.

 

[talonDSMerr]

That hose is an a/c line. It's pressurized with freon and you don't want that spraying out. You might be able to get some more wiggle room taking the battery tray out though.

What helped me get my filter out was a lot of PB Blaster or any other lubricant. I sprayed it at least 3 days in advance every day and night before putting a wrench on it. Spray some on right now and let it sit while you ponder how you can muscle it off tomorrow. You can do it

 

[PIMking]

I have never had as much of a problem doing my fuel filter. I dont see what the problem is.

I can do mine in about 10 mins. hell I did my Intake gasket tonight in a hour.

 

[eclipsepunx]

This is why they created the almighty "breaker bar." That thing saved my life during my rebuild.

 

[the_mork]

BTW Ian I think your avatar violates the site rules, I don't think anyone is going to be terribly upset about it (at least not right away) but you will be asked to change it, might as well save some hassle and do it now.

 

[2gawdtsi]

The fuel filter is def a pain, it was a pain without my engine in haha.

 

[Empyrials]

The fuel filter is def a pain, it was a pain without my engine in haha.

ya i had heard it was a pain and didn't believe them until i tried it when i first got my dsm. I just waited till i pulled my tranny, it was 90% easier

 

[URPREY]

I am having a time getting mine off as well. I can get plenty of leverage on mine the problem is i'm bending the heck out of the bracket it is held in. I'm worried I'm going to break the bracket or strip the bolts out of the firewall.

 

[turbotemper]

My new fuel filter came w/ a new bracket.
OEM Mitsubishi Fuel Filter

 

[xsboost]

BTW Ian I think your avatar violates the site rules, I don't think anyone is going to be terribly upset about it (at least not right away) but you will be asked to change it, might as well save some hassle and do it now.

I think that's just a picture of him trying to get his fuel filter off.

My suggestion: PB blast it, let it sit overnight and use a breaker bar.

 

[ian_maham]

I think that's just a picture of him trying to get his fuel filter off.

My suggestion: PB blast it, let it sit overnight and use a breaker bar.

hahaha, ya thats right!!!

but a breaker bar will not work on the bottom fuel line. You have to use a standard wrench or a line wrench. This was a horrbile spot to put the fuel filter. Damn you mitsubishi

But i will remove it if they(mods) ask me too. I'll respect their wishes.

 

[ian_maham]

anypone who has succefully done this them selves: how did you get the main fuel pipe off of the bottom of the filter. chiltons reccomends using two wrenchs(one for steady, and other for twisting), which is basically impossible if you have ever done this. my bottom fuel line is almost off but seems to be stuck. im pb blasting the sh*t out of it(which is also a huge pain) but its not budging.

im about to break and take it to M-I-D-A-S

 

[cardot33]

Try turning it the other way, then turn it back. might help "wiggle" it free. My colt had that filter. I took the bracket off to get a better angle on it. Maybe get a friend to hold one wrench while you turn the other.

 

[rush2252]

I always remove the top banjo bolt first. The wrap a rag around the filter and turn it by hand while holding the bottom line/nut with a wrench.

Somebody overtightened that if you cant get it loose. When you put on the new one just get it snug and let the copper crush washers do their job

+2 Try using a bigger wrench for leverage hooked onto the open end for added leverageThats the reason they include crush washers with the new filter. Just a dumb question but you are turning the wrench counter clockwise correct? WTF

-Kolby

 

[xsboost]

I think it's safe to say everybody who's given you advice on this thread has done this successfully, numerous times. I use a breaker bar on the top banjo bolt to break it free, a 19mm line wrench on the filter housing and 14mm line wrench on the fuel line squeezing together. It's important to use line wrenches as regular wrenches usually round off the nut. It's usually a simple job, but with DSMs simple is often a real PITA. Good luck anyway.

 

[ian_maham]

I always remove the top banjo bolt first. The wrap a rag around the filter and turn it by hand while holding the bottom line/nut with a wrench.

Somebody overtightened that if you cant get it loose. When you put on the new one just get it snug and let the copper crush washers do their job

+2 Try using a bigger wrench for leverage hooked onto the open end for added leverageThats the reason they include crush washers with the new filter. Just a dumb question but you are turning the wrench counter clockwise correct? WTF

-Kolby

ya. from the top looking down it looks like clock wise. if you were looking from the bottom it would be counter clockwise. so yes

 

[rush2252]

ya never know. I worked with a Toyota certified tech who ALWAYS ALWAYS tried tightening bolts first before he loosened them. I mean everytime if you watched him wrench went on and he would damn near snap the bolt then stop and reverse it. It was odd because sometimes hed get pissed if your were like eh your turning that the wrong way

I was just wandering about that top BOLT the way I do it is from top up. Because USUALLY the bottom one comes loose easier for me

Kolby

 

[ian_maham]

ya never know. I worked with a Toyota certified tech who ALWAYS ALWAYS tried tightening bolts first before he loosened them. I mean everytime if you watched him wrench went on and he would damn near snap the bolt then stop and reverse it. It was odd because sometimes hed get pissed if your were like eh your turning that the wrong way

I was just wandering about that top BOLT the way I do it is from top up. Because USUALLY the bottom one comes loose easier for me

Kolby

ya i'll try tightening it and then loosening it. i hope it works. so far the brackets pop off easily but the top is SNUG and the bottom seems rusted or something.