Changing Fuel filter

[Guest Snaps]

I just done this recently too...

 

-Unplug the Fuel pump connector in the spare wheel well - you do not need to take the spare wheel out, or the fuel tank cover off, it's in the top-left corner as you're looking in from the back of the car.

-Turn the car on

-Turn the car on again, just to make sure the majority of the fuel is gone.

-Remove/unhook the battery, very important when working with fuel

-Jack the car up, use axle stands when it's up, once again, very important safety precaution.

-Remove grounding bolt/wire to fuel filter bracket, just gives you more room

-Note roughly how far away the bottom fuel line undoing nut is away from the filter nut. This will be used later.

-Hold the Fuel filter rock shield with one hand and undo the bottom flare nut slowly with either a brake line spanner, or a normal 14mm spanner, it will be very tough to undo at first, after you've got it past the first turn it gets easier.

-It should be dripping fuel now from between the flare nut and fuel filter, wait until this stops, shouldn't be too much fuel.

-Undo fuel line more, if more fuel drips out, soak it up/catch it. Repeat until the hose is off (Note: The hose likely won't move away from the filter, leave it there until you unbolt the filter)

-Using a 17mm socket, undo the top nut, this should also drip a little fuel, but not too much

-Undo bolt fully, throw away washers, keep bolt (or keep both, your choice).

-Undo both filter bracket bolts (10mm)

-Remove filter.

-Clean both top and bottom fuel lines around the threads, etc. with a lint-free cloth.

-Bolt the new filter in place

-Attach both lines in reverse order, this is where you use the rough distance of the bottom fuel line undoing nut to the fuel filter nut, make sure it is about the same distance, even if it feels really tight when doing it up. I made this mistake and ended up with fuel all over my garage floor.

-Reconnect battery (Disconnecting the battery in the first place will reset the ECU by the time you're finished, if it makes any difference)

-Reconnect fuel pump connector

-Switch the car on, checking that no fuel is coming out of the filter.

 

You're all done! Keep checking there's no fuel leaking for the next few days/drives to make sure it's all done up tight enough.

 

That should be in-depth enough for anyone to do!

Edited July 24, 2010 by Snaps (see edit history)

[Foxx]

Hi all,

 

Had a look at this job today while I was fighting with my oil filter (I have the right tools to do it), just had a couple of questions if anyone can help.

 

1. Post 11 mentions the banjo bolt on the fuel tank, I couldn't see that step in the guide above, what is that exactly?

 

2. If the threads are seized on the flare nut and I can't get the filter back in, I'm concerned I won't be able to put things right and it'll be stranded (I'm a novice)

 

Is it a tough job to put this right if this goes wrong?

 

 

Thanks in advance