How To Change Your Fuel Filter

A properly functioning fuel filter is very important to a vehicle. The fuel filter protects very delicate parts of your engine. Replacing a fuel filter only takes a few minutes. It should be replaced once a year on most vehicles. This should be a part of your car's regular maintenance.

Cost: $10- $20

Tools you will need:
-new fuel filter
-new fuel line washers
-open end wrenches
-rags
-eye protection

Steps to Replace the Fuel Filter: 1. Relieve the fuel system pressure- this is a safety step. Do not skip this step. If you start to unscrew fuel lines and this has not been done, it can be explosive. Put on your eye protection. Allow the engine to cool and relieve fuel system pressure (this involves locating and pulling out the fuse or relay) Start your car and while the engine is running, pull the fuse or relay out. If you pulled the right one, the engine will quickly die.

2. Disconnect the Fuel Lines from the Filter Remove the fuel filter fittings. This can be done with 2 open ended wrenches. Turn the bolts counter clockwise until they come off. Slide the fuel line off the bolt, set the bolt aside. The same will be done to the other side of the fuel filter.

3. Remove the Old Fuel Filter Most are held in by a clamp. It can be released with a screwdriver. This needs to be done very carefully as the old fuel filter probably has gas in it.

4. Change the Fuel Filters Washers Sitting on top of the fuel line bolts you removed is a pressure washer, usually copper or aluminum. Replace the old washers with new ones that match. Place one washer on the bolt, slide the fuel line on, and then another washer.

5. Install the new Fuel Filter This is done just opposite of pulling it out.

6. Put the fuse or relay back and start your car.

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