How to Change a Fuel Filter
You can learn how to replace afuel filterin a few minutes. This is a relatively easy maintenance job, depending on your particular vehicle model. In-line (or external) fuel filters connect to the main line of the fuel system. The filter helps trap particles of dirt, water, rust and other contaminants before they reach the engine. Most car manufacturers recommend replacing the fuel filter at least once a year, when impurities begin to clog the filter element. However, taking a few safety precautions, you will be able to replace the fuel filter at home in about an hour and restore much needed engine power.Relieving fuel system pressureChoose a well-ventilated area for this maintenance job first. Then depressurize the system. Torelieve system pressure, loosen the fuel filler cap, start the engine and remove the fuel pump fuse. Wait for the engine to stall. Crank the engine a couple of times to make sure the pressure in the line is gone. Alternatively, if your car has a test-port valve-similar to the air valve on your car tires-you can use this valve to relieve system pressure. The valve is located on the fuel rail that connects to the fuel injectors on top of the engine. Wrap a shop rag around the valve and depress the needle inside the valve with a screwdriver. The rag will catch the squirt of fuel as you depress the valve.Locating the fuel filterOnce you have relieved fuel system pressure, locate the fuel filter. Depending on your vehicle model, you may find the filter mounted on the firewall, inside the engine compartment; or mounted on the frame, under the car. This could be towards the rear of the vehicle, near the doors on either side of the car, or pretty close to the fuel tank. Either way, you can follow the main fuel line that leads from the engine to the fuel tank to find the filter, if necessary. If the filter is located under the car, most likely you will need to raise the rear of your vehicle to gain access to the filter.Replacing the fuel filterAfter locating the filter, disconnect the negative (black) battery cable. Then, clean the fittings on both fuel lines connecting to the filter using a shop rag. This will prevent contamination of the system. Depending on your particular car model, you may need to remove a plastic clip-on each fitting-securing the fuel line to the filter. On other models, you may need to unscrew the nut that holds the fuel lines to the filter fittings. To do this, hold the nut closer to the filter with a regular wrench and unscrew the line nut with aline wrench. This will prevent you from damaging the lines.After separating the lines, unscrew the clamp or bracket holding the filter in place and, before you remove the filter from its mounting position, look at the arrow printed on the filter case. When mounting the new filter, the arrow on the new filter has to point in the same direction when mounted. Remove the filter and compare it to the new one to make sure you have the correct replacement. Now you can follow these same steps in reverse order to install the new unit. When finished, reconnect the battery, crank up the engine and check for fuel leaks on both sides of the new filter.You can easily learn how to replace the fuel filter and save on car maintenance expenses every year. This task only takes a few minutes, and you can do it on a free weekend morning. You only need to spend a few dollars on a new filter and use a few common tools you might already have in your toolbox. Best of all, it will help your engine operate with the power it needs to perform on the road.
