All right...another question. How often do you replace or at least check your fuel filter??? I was thinking about this last night and realized that I have never done this either. I read the procedure on how to do it, but I was wondering if I could get some real life opinions from you guys on how involved it really is. It looks pretty simple, but i want to know of any issues that could arise while doing it that i should be aware of.

 

You'll need the following for the job:
1- Flarenut wrench to prevent slipping and rounding the but below the filter.
2- Popeye forearm to break the f*cking nut mentioned above loose.
3- Rags ready to wipe off fuel dripping from filter/line.
Oh do this in well-ventilated area please.


G'luck

 

Umm, make sure you dont smoke around it and what not, also, i disconnected the battery cable, and i put it in a plastic bag just so it doesn accidentally touch somthing and spark, that would be no good.

Yah speaking of the forearms, if you have mechanix golves it helps justincase you bust the nut (stop laughing), and slam your hand into somthing. Also dontforget if i remember correctly (been months since i did this) the nut connection thing IS upside down.....so turn accordingly..i've seen people turn lug nuts the wrong way among other things, so just remember the right hand rule


[Modified by Ricehornet, 6:00 PM 10/30/2001]

 

Thanks for your input guys. I've been meaning to ask this for some time.

 

i've just changed mine at about 74000, i don't know if it needed it or not but the install went smoothly, i just read the helms.

 

at this point, i have not bought a helms. I have been a little short on money lately, so it has not been an option. I have the crappy chilton one, and it does enough for me since I basically know what i'm doing most of the time. I will maybe ask for it for christmas or something....

 

It was pretty easy.
Disconnect your negative ground on the battery.
Open the gas tank to relieve pressure.
Use plenty of rags around and over the filter.
The top part of the filter is a smaller bolt within a larger bolt assembly.

The smaller bolt is 12mm - for some reason my manual said it was 6mmm - NOT.
The larger bolt (banjo bolt) is er- larger - I forget what size that was...
I had to use a 3/8 craftsman 12mm socket to fit inside of the diameter of the larger "banjo" bolt.

I removed the smaller bolt first while holding the larger one stationary with a closed end wrench.
(lefty loosey, like normal)
There is a small washer between it and the larger one.
Some gas may come out at this point.
There should be replacement washers in the bottom of the filter box (I used purolator)
Thin metal sealing washers are needed between every connection except at the bottom.
Then I removed the larger "banjo" bolt while holding the filter steady with a 17mm box wrench
around extension at the bottom of the filter.
Then remove the flare nut underneath the filter still holding the filter steady with that 17mm.
Some more gas may come out.
Unbolt the two 10mm bolts and the one 10mm nut that holds the filter/clamp assembly to the firewall.
Undo the one screw that secures the clamp around the filter and replace filter.

Simple?

My only "issue" was not realizing my purolator came with replacement washers until after...
Oh well more practice.

I replaced mine at 120k+ miles - feels smoother now.
I don't think it has been done since 90k miles so I figure it was overdue and I had some spare time.


[Modified by joeg26er, 7:56 PM 10/30/2001]