2nd gen fuel filter replacement

 

Things needed:

  1. 10mm socket with extension and ratchet
  2. new fuel filter
  3. pliers

The fuel filter is probably something forgotten about during a tune up. But it's very important. A clogged one will cause less fuel flow which could lead to detonation (engine blowing up) I'd recommend to change it every 1-2 years.

 

From the top you can barely see it. But it's located on the driver side fender. Right at the corner of the firewall. underneath the oil filter and brake booster.

From the bottom you can see it easily. It sits almost flush with the bottom of the car.

The correct thing to do first is to depressurize the fuel system. But unless you have a fuel pump switch in your car or you did the fuel pump rewire, it's a pain in the but as the fuel pump plug is underneath interior pieces in the trunk. I wouldn't bother if you don't have a switch or rewire. To depressurize, you either unplug, pull the rewire fuse out,or switch off the fuel pump with the car idling. The car will run for another 10 secs or so before it stalls out with no fuel. Doing this removes the pressure in the lines so it won't spray as much when you pull the lines off. I did mine and it still sprayed quite a bit, so I don't know how much difference it will make.

Next step is too let the car cool down. The last thing you want is to spray gas onto hot objects. It also makes it easier to reach in when it's not hot.

Jack up the left front wheel, and put a jack stand underneath. (don't get under a car with only a jack holding it). grab the clamp holding the bottom hose with the pliers and slide it a few inches down the hose. Stick a drain pan underneath and some newspaper or something if you care. If it hasn't been changed in a while it will be hard to get off!! But tug and twist on the line and it'll come off. When it's almost off try to get far away from it and reach in to pull it off. It will spray fuel. Try and have a bolt handy to stick into the line as a plug as it will continue to leak fuel coming from the line.

 

Now get on top and and pull the line off where it goes into the engine. I tried getting mine off at the filter but it was a major pain. Taking it off here was so much easier. Make sure it's the right one as there are 2 lines side by side. You can follow down to the filter. The line is only a foot long or so. This line shouldn't spill any as it has all drained out the bottom now.

 

Now get back underneath and you'll see 2 10mm nuts holding filter bracket onto the fender. Undo them and pull the filter down with the upper hose attached.

 

Now loosen the bolt on the bracket (blue arrow, you can see it in the pic above) and the old filter should slide out. Keep an eye on the direction of the metal lines. You want them bent the same way when you install the new one. Swap the top fuel line over at the same time.

Install is the reverse. Make sure all the clamps are but back into place, and make sure the hose isn't cracked or damaged. If it is replace it with high pressure fuel line.

 

Last step is to prime the fuel system and fill the lines back up. On the pass. side strut tower you'll find a white clip with 2 wires that is not plugged into anything. Take a piece of wire or a paper clip and stick one end in each side. Now turn the key to "on" not start!. The fuel pump will turn on and stay running. You should be able to hear it running, as well as hear the fuel moving if you stick you head under the hood. While it's priming and filling up the lines. Get back underneath and check for leaks. It's very important that nothing is leaking! When done checking you can turn the key off, and pull the wire out.

 

You're done! Now clean up your mess ;)

 

 

 

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