Tweet
I changed out my fuel filter today. Because I'd never done it before, it took me forever. You might be laughing, but this is my first attempt to do anything to my car more advanced than changing the oil or installing a new headlight. So I consider it an accomplishment.
First I looked up how to do the job on google. Then I depressurized the fuel system by pulling the fuel pump fuse while the engine was running. Next I started trying to remove the old filter. It seems that the person who installed the old one didn't want anyone to ever get it off again. I couldn't budge the filter no matter what I tried. The wrenches kept flying off of the parts, probably because they were covered with gasoline and PB Blaster. I ended up talking to a neighbor and borrowing some line wrenches. That made heck of a difference. It's a lot easier to put all of your strength into a job when the wrenches can't slide off so easily. Once I got the filter loose I held one bolt with a wrench and turned the filter using a pair of Channel-Locks. Putting in the new one was a piece of cake. I made sure not to tighten it so much so that I don't kill myself again next time.
Two hours, two sore arms and half a can of PB Blaster later, I'm happy to report that the new one is securely in place. Although it was a major pain, I'm glad to have done the job as the gas that came out of the old filter was the color of used motor oil.
Anyone else ever have trouble with this job?
First I looked up how to do the job on google. Then I depressurized the fuel system by pulling the fuel pump fuse while the engine was running. Next I started trying to remove the old filter. It seems that the person who installed the old one didn't want anyone to ever get it off again. I couldn't budge the filter no matter what I tried. The wrenches kept flying off of the parts, probably because they were covered with gasoline and PB Blaster. I ended up talking to a neighbor and borrowing some line wrenches. That made heck of a difference. It's a lot easier to put all of your strength into a job when the wrenches can't slide off so easily. Once I got the filter loose I held one bolt with a wrench and turned the filter using a pair of Channel-Locks. Putting in the new one was a piece of cake. I made sure not to tighten it so much so that I don't kill myself again next time.
Two hours, two sore arms and half a can of PB Blaster later, I'm happy to report that the new one is securely in place. Although it was a major pain, I'm glad to have done the job as the gas that came out of the old filter was the color of used motor oil.
Anyone else ever have trouble with this job?
357ci LT1, cammed, stalled, and driven. 
You're going to loose a little gas anyway and if you take the line loose slowly the stream is usually fairly controllable. I look at it as a chance to use some of the would be wasted fuel as an added chance to clean some of that semi-permanently, embedded crud from under my nails. 
Comment