Is it time to replace your fuel filter? Don’t worry because it is an easy task that you can do on your own to skip on car shop fees! At the same time, this simple maintenance in your car only costs a couple of bucks. A new fuel filter is just around $10 to $20 but will greatly help in avoiding serious car damage if not replaced regularly. This task only takes a few minutes so make sure that you do this each year on an average. Make sure to note this down in your car’s regular maintenance schedule! Here is a guide that will help you learn how to replace car fuel filter by yourself. But first, here are the things that you will need.
-
New fuel filter
-
New fuel line washers
-
Open end wrenches
-
Rags
-
Eye protection
Now that you have everything ready, you are about to learn how to replace care fuel filter on your own. Just make sure that your engine is cool and make sure you have your eye protection on. At the same time, before we start removing the old fuel filter and replacing a new one, relieve the fuel system pressure first. There is a very high pressure in your fuel injection system and if you don’t release that pressure slowly, explosion could be a result. So to relieve the pressure, here’s how to do it.
-
You will first need to locate the fuel pump fuse in the fuse box. If your car doesn’t have the fuel pump fuse, then you will need to locate the relay operating the fuel pump.
-
Once you’ve located it, start your engine. While running, pull the fuse or the relay out. Your engine should quickly die if you got the right one. Now, the fuel lines won’t be pressurized when your crack the fittings on your fuel filter.
Now that the fuel pressure is gone, let’s move on to replacing your car fuel filter. Here are the steps to do it.
-
Disconnect the fuel lines from the fuel filter. To do this, locate your fuel filter fittings and find two open end wrenches that will fit it. You will need two because they usually come in two different sizes. Position the wrenches in place and put the rag on top of the fitting. Turn the wrench counter clockwise until the bolt or fitting comes out. Slide off the fuel line and set aside the bolt. Do the same for the other one.
-
Now that the fuel lines are disconnected, it’s time to remove the old fuel filter from the car. It is usually held by a clamp that can be easily removed by a screwdriver. Make sure to remove it carefully because it could still be full of gas.
-
Now, you will also have to replace the fuel filter washers. You can locate these washers when you removed the bolts previously. There should have been a special pressure washer on top of each of the bolts. It’s either made up of copper of aluminum. Replace the old washers with new ones of the same material. Place one washer on the bolt before you slide the fuel line one at a time.
-
Next, simply install the new fuel filter and replace back everything. Make sure to put back the fuel pump fuse or relay before starting the car. You’re done!
Related posts:
