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Replacing your fuel filter
Note: some warranties require that
you have documentation of all maintenance done to your vehicle - it may
be advisable to have the work done by a professional for proper warranty
documentation.
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Section 1 |
Section 2 |
Section 3 |
Section 4 |
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Replacement Procedures
| Compare the new fuel
filter with the old fuel filter, and
make sure you position it in the
same way so that the fuel is flowing
in the right direction. Most times
there will be an arrow on the fuel
filter showing you which direction
the fuel flows. Put the assembly
together in reverse of the way you
took it apart. Before you do,
though, take a quick look at the new
fuel filter. Again, a little oil or
white grease on the fitting will
help the hoses slide on easier.
You'll see there are two tubes
coming off the fuel filter where the
hoses attach. They have little nubs
or ridges near the ends. Make sure
to slide the rubber lines onto the
fuel filter as far past the nubs as
you can get them, ideally up against
the fuel filter body. Position the
hose clamps between the nub and the
fuel filter body. Make sure they
good and tight, but not so tight as
to strip the screw.
The clamps used on the fuel
lines are special clamps designed to
seal the hose to the fuel filter
fittings. They do not cut into the
fuel hose and can withstand the
higher fuel pressure. Ideally they
should be replaced with the new fuel
filter. Do not use the worm type
"mini-clamps". They will damage the
hoses and a fuel leak will develop.
| One last
type of fitting I want to
talk about is the good old
"nut and bolt" type fitting.
This fitting just requires
two wrenches to remove. You
will see a hex fitting on
the filter. You use one
wrench on this hex fitting
to hold the fuel filter
while you remove the fuel
line fitting.
Care must be taken to
not cross thread or over
tighten the fitting. Make
sure the fittings are tight
enough not to leak, but
that's it. You can use a dab
of sealer or Teflon tape to
help the seal. If you use
Teflon tape, don't use too
much because the excess
could get inside the lines
and block a fuel injector.
Do not use any type of RTV
silicone sealer because
gasoline will dissolve it
away.
I would recommend
using a special line type
wrench. A line wrench is
thicker than a regular
open-end wrench and it
covers ¾'s of the fitting,
versus the ½ coverage of a
standard wrench, reducing
the chances of rounding the
fitting. The extra thickness
spreads the turn force over
a wider area, also reducing
the chances of a rounded
fitting. They are very
useful when working with
brake lines as well. It
might not be a bad idea to
pick up a set.
Okay, after you have
everything reassembled and
secure, crank the engine a
few times with the ignition
system disabled, if you can,
until fuel pressure builds
up. Then look over the fuel
filter and fuel lines no
make sure there are no big
leaks. If everything is
okay, start the engine and
let it run for a few
minutes, again checking for
leaks. No leaks? Great job!
Do this once a year and
you'll never have a fuel
filter related problem
again. |
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| Of course - you can always take your car in to
have the work done by a professional. Some find these
directions to difficult or dangerous and better left to the
professionals. At least now you know how to do it, and you
can decide which is best for you. |
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