Changing a Fuel Filter
Let's make this quick and simple! Changing a fuel filter is extremely easy for any monkey who can handle using a screwdriver. It is important to remember that your fuel filter should be replaced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, even if it does not look that bad. The filter is there to make sure your fuel stay clean and burns well in your engine, even if you cannot see the filter getting dirty within those miles, it is better to change it ahead of time than to wait for it to get so dirty you cant see through it.
I would not envy you for waiting and then having your vehicle quit running when your 2 hours from home and there is no one in sit to tow you for cheap. Trust me on this one, change your fuel filter every 30,000 to 60,000 miles to ensure it never becomes a problem.
Lets get to the nitty gritty. Here are some things you will need:
A pair of gloves
A Screwdriver (flat tip)
A Pair of Googles
A New Fuel Filter
a Cresent Wrench
There are three types of fuel filters you will run into
-Inline Fuel Filters ~ which are found under your vehicle connecting the front fuel line to the back fuel line
-Carburetor Fuel Filter ~ which is on the front of your carb on older vehicles
-In Tank Fuel Filters
Now, because it is extremely lengthy to go about changing an in-tank fuel filter, we will only cover the other two in this segment. You can find out how to change an in-tank fuel filter by looking up "how to change a fuel pump".
Lets do this in three easy steps!
Inline Fuel Filters
1) Locate your fuel filter. If you do not have a manual to tell you where is should be, you will need to get under the vehicle and look. In most cases I have found fuel filters to be on the passenger side near the back of the vehicle. This will very from vehicle to vehicle though. You can get an idea of what you should look for from the new fuel filter you bought from you local auto parts store.
2) Put on your gloves to protect your skin from gas, put on your googles because gas stings the eyes! and then get out your screw driver. There should be two screw down clamps holding to rubber lines to each side of the fuel filter. Unscrew the clamps until they are lose enough to pry off of te fuel filter to release it from the line.
Note* Is has been noticed that some vehicle will not have rubber lines and instead will use a type of nut to hold the metal fuel line to the fuel filter. In that case you will need the appropriate sized cresent wrench, but the whole idea is the same. In other cases you might find the fuel filter near the carb instead of under the vehicle, and it will be between two rubber lines.
3) Remove the old fuel filter, put in the new fuel filter, don't get any gas in your eyes and tighten down the clamps.
Carburetor Fuel Filters
1) Locate your fuel filter. In most cases it will be directly in front of you if you are viewing the carb from the front of the car, although there are pleny of times when it will be in the back or on the side. Most of these fuel filters will be 'inside' the carb and held in by the gas inlet fuel line. You will need a cresent wrench to remove this fuel filter.
- Warning* Be careful not to pinch the fuel line when you are loosening the nut holding the fuel line to the carb
2) Pull of the fuel line, remove the fuel filter and make sure the part inside the carb where it sits is fairly clean.
3) Put in the new fuel filter and tighten the fuel line back up to the carb.
Once you have replaced your fuel filter, you will need to start you engine and make sure there aren't any leaks. Do this before you decide to drive anywhere to prevent a fire hazard.
Please don't smoke while you are replacing your fuel filter, it isn't a smart idea :)
