Instructions for Changing a Fuel Filter
- 1). Use your owner's repair manual to locate the fuel filter in your vehicle. Some filters will be located next to the carburetor or throttle body, while others might be bolted to the firewall or fender well. They look like a small metallic canister, which has an inlet hose from the gas tank, connected to the rear of the filter and an outlet hose on the front of the filter that leads to the throttle body or carburetor. In some cases, the fuel filter bolts to the underside of the frame, midway between the gas tank and the carburetor or throttle body.
- 2). Place the vehicle in park or neutral, and set the emergency brake. Raise the hood, and disconnect the negative battery cable with an end wrench. Make sure you relieve the small fuel line pressure valve, if your vehicle has fuel injection (refer to your owner's manual). Use a pair of pliers to remove the small hose clamp at the rear of the fuel filter, if so equipped with that fastener. Use a slot screwdriver for the other variety of hose clamp. Loosen, and remove, the front hose clamp on the fuel filter, using the Phillips screwdriver or pliers.
- 3). Plug both ends of the fuel hose with pencils, to keep residual fuel from dripping. Position the new fuel filter in between the fuel hoses. Make certain the arrow, displayed on the fuel filter body, points toward the engine. Place the hose over the rear nipple end of the fuel filter, and tighten the clamp with a slot screwdriver, or expand the clip-on type of clamp with a pair of pliers. Do the same with the front hose, using the appropriate tool to tighten the clamp. Make sure the hose flushes squarely against the fuel filter body.
- 4). Look at the inlet hose on the carburetor, if you have the old style design on your vehicle. You will see a large neck protruding from the carburetor that has a large fuel line nut. Use an end wrench to loosen the nut, and pull the line back. You will see a cone-line screen or element inside the neck, called the "in-line fuel filter." Pull it out, and replace it, with a new fuel filter element. Start the nut by hand, making sure the small ring gasket remains on the inside of the filter neck. Tighten the nut with an end wrench.
