So I wanted to replace the fuel filter in my 88 sedan..... I got the service bolt off, then couldn't get the other one off for the life of me. I had to be somewhere soon so I put the service bolt back on to try again another day. Soon after i begin driving i smell gas and find out its leaking from the service bolt. So I try to tighten it more but stop because it was starting to strip.

A few days later i go to take another shot at getting the filter out, i cant even loosen the service bolt and end up stripping it. This was where i got pissed, and its still leaking. So instead of dealing with it anymore, cant i just cut the hoses and clamp a cheap little inline filter in there? Will it work just as well? Will it affect anything? Has anyone else done it?

 

Ok so you stripped the service bolt, did you stirp the banjo bolt ( the bolt that holds the fuel line on ) ? If not, then just get that off first, then worry about the stripped service bolt after you get the banjo bolt off.

 

Dude, you've gotta get the correct sized wrench UNDER the filter bolt, and use a 1/2 Dr. socket and small extension on the bolt itself.

You should have never messed with that stupid little service bolt, hardly any gas comes out of the damn thing anyway.

 

if the banjo bolt you're talking about is the other 17mm one on top of the filter, i couldn't get that to move.

 

fuel filters are a big pain to do, w/hand tools...
bracket that holds the filter is too flimsy and wiggles back and forth ruining your torque to break it loose.
good luck w/fixing it...