So,

I'm trying to change my fuel filter on my 1997 Civic and I've come across a weird problem.

I got the top bolt off fine. I got the bottom bolt loosened (finally)...but it won't unthread completely from the filter. It looks like it's hanging on by 2-3 threads. I try to loosen the bolt, it gets real hard to move, then it gets easy and doesn't move any threads. I can tighten it fine (but not all the way).

I'm assuming the fuel line is crossthreaded into the filter. I'm thinking about taking a dremel to the filter and trying to break the bottom piece off.

Advice? Suggestions?

 

Be careful since the dremel could cause sparks. Can you grab the head of the screw with pliers hold the filter and pull and turn the screw to get it off?

 

Good point, I def. do not want a fire. I think I will not dremel anything since the filters are metal.

I've tried holding the bolt with a wrench while unscrewing and pulling the filter, but it just keeps spinning and doesn't actually unthread completely. Either a thread is crossed/broken on the bolt or inside the filter.

 

Like the top of the filter there is a part on the bottom that you can get a wrench onto for leverage while removing the line. Look at the new filter if you don't know what I'm talking about. I doubt it's crossed threaded.

 

Bolt the bracket back on the firewall if you took it off. Helps to hold the filter in place.

 

Have you tried giving it a good yank?


Mine didn't just pop right off.

 

Yes, I've tried yanking it and using multiple wrenches for leverage. I even took the filter off the bracket, put wrench on bottom fuel line to keep it from turning, and tried to manually loosen the filter by turning it. It won't go past 5-6 threads.

 

Will it tighten?

 

Yeah, he said he can tighten it back on, but that's not the issue.
IDK how the hell someone could cross thread something like that
Those dern kids XP

Well, if worse comes to worse, you may have to run some new fuel lines, but idk how tough that is ^^;

 

Missed that.

Honestly, if this were me, I would more likely just get mad enough to chop the ****ing line off and run a new one.

 

If you trace the fuel line I do not think it runs far, you might be able just to replace the bottom fuel line.

 

that line runs all the way to the back of the car, it is 1 piece.

 

Maybe I was thinking of the top line, been long time since I looked at the fuel diagram.

You can try a little Teflon tape on the threads screw back up into the filter and then screw down, the tape might thicken the threads a bit and give you leverage to get the screw out.

 

forget about replacing the line, and dont ever use a dremel to cut the fuel line.

first you need one of these

pipe cutter..can be found at auto store



go to junkyard and find same nut slide it on the tube then flare it with this tool

 

You don't need to replace the line. Hell, you could chop it off at the firewall, and run braided lines, with AN fittings if you please.

 

You may want to free the filter from the bracket and/or remove the bracket too.

 

Guess I'll chop the line if I can't get it today. Such a pain for a simple cheap filter.

 

Try what I said, get some Teflon tape wrap the threads, screw it up into the filter and back down again.