How do I change my fuel filter in my car?
Changing the fuel filter in your vehicle can be easy, if you know what you are doing. This article will help you understand the correct process on how to properly install your new fuel filter in your vehicle. Make sure to follow ALL of the instructions, if you do not you may accidentally cause pressurized fuel to shoot everywhere causing an EXTREMELY dangerous situation. You do not want this to happen, so I have written this article to help you to accomplish this relatively simple task safely.
Now that we have discussed exactly why you should follow all of the instructions due to the safety of yourself, we will now go into the process of changing your fuel filter. I will try to make changing your fuel filter simple with this article, since it seems they always like to go in the winter. Hopefully this article will help you speed up the removal and installation of a new fuel filter.
The Procedure
- First you will want to park your vehicle in a location where it can sit for an hour or so.
- Next you will want to go purchase your new fuel filter for your vehicle. Note(some fuel filters require the use of special line tools, some may come with them in the kit, or you may have to purchase them separately)
- Before you start to remove your old fuel filter you MUST do this otherwise you risk the chance of pressurized fuel being sprayed everywhere. Most vehicles are fuel injected now days meaning that there fuel line pressure is much greater than the old carbureted engines. You will need to relieve this fuel pressure. To relieve the fuel pressure you will want to locate your fuel pump fuse or relay box. Once you have located this you will want to start your vehicle. With your vehicle running you will want to pull the fuel pump fuse. Your vehicle should die shortly, meaning that the fuel pressure is relieved.
- Now that you have relieved the fuel pressure from your lines, you will want to jack your vehicle up and place it on jack stands. If you do not have a jack or jack stands these will work great, ATD7333 2 1/2 Ton Jack and ATD7443 3 ton Jack Stands. Make sure you lift your vehicle on a piece of the frame or axle. Also make sure your jack stands are on sturdy level ground.
- Now locate your old fuel filter, it should be towards the back of the vehicle. Once you have located it make sure it is the same as the one that you purchased before.
- Ok now you are ready to start removing your old fuel filter. If you have the special connectors you will need to get a fuel line removal kit like this ATD 3399 15 Piece Disconnect kit. If you have the other style you will simply need open end wrenches like this ATD Tools 1550 17 Piece Combination Set.
- Now that you have your wrenches what you need to do is use them to remove the fuel lines. I will discuss how to do this with a system that uses connectors that open end wrenches will work on; the special removal tool kit will come with instructions. You will want to locate the two nut looking things on the fuel line. These are called banjo fittings. You will want to place one wrench on one of the nuts and one on the other. Then place a paper towel over the wrenches to prevent fuel from going all over you.
- Then turn the wrench furthest away from the fuel filter counter clockwise while holding the other wrench. This will separate the lines. Make sure to make a note of the washers on the fittings. These need to be replaced when you install your new fuel filter to help prevent leaks.
- Next you can remove your old fuel filter. Be careful, because it probably still has fuel left inside of it.
- Now you are ready to install your new fuel filter. You will want to make sure to replace those washers that I stated in step 8.
- Then position your new fuel filter in place. Note some fuel filters are in line filters, meaning that they will have a directional mark. MAKE SURE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE FUEL FILTERS AND INSTALL WITH THE ARROW IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION.
- Now you are ready to reattach your fuel lines using the new washers.
- Reattach all of your fuel lines and make sure that you attach anything that held the fuel filter in place.
- You can then lower your vehicle down.
- Make sure before you try starting your vehicle that you place the fuel pump fuse back in place.
- Now you are ready to start your vehicle and it might take a couple seconds because your fuel lines are not pressurized.
- You are finished!
Now that you have finished installing your new fuel filter, you will want to try to install a new one every year or two. Your vehicle should run much better now that you have a new filter.
Written by: Cody Mammenga an NDSCS Student
Tags: car, fuel, fuel filter, gasoline, replacing fuel filter, Tools
