How to change fuel filter

[Fish]

This should be made a sticky, as its something that is a real pain to remember.

Fish

[DRAGON]

Fuel filter removal and installation

Additional Tools required

Ratchet 10mm socket and extension
Pliers long nosed and normal
WD40 lubrication
1x jack
2x axle stands

·   Drive the car onto a flat suitable surface and jack the rear of the car up, easiest jacking point is in the centre of the rear differential, place axle stands underneath the sills about two inches away from the wheel arch
·   Release the fuel pressure by opening the fuel cap and allowing the vapours to be released
·   Go underneath the rear of the car and remove the two rear guards there are five 10mm bolts holding these shields in place, remove both shields and put out of the way thread the bolts back into its holes a few threads
·   Now you can see the fuel filter it is located above the differential with two fuel lines going to it
·   Remove the first fuel line which is located on the drivers side of the vehicle simply remove the clip down the line and pull the hose off the fuel filter but be careful as some fuel will come out so plug the hose up with a suitable sized bolt
·   Next is to dismount the fuel filter there are two 10mm bolts holding it in place, you can get to these through the sub frame using a ratchet these are not the bolts that go into the chassis they go into the mounting bracket on the back of the filter undo these and the filter will come away from the bracket
·   Now you can remove the other fuel hose pull the clip away and pull away the hose more fuel will pour out, the filter is now totally free and you can take it out from underneath the car
·    Once in the light remove the fuel filter from its bracket undo the 10mm bolt on the back of the bracket make sure to take note on which way round it is mounted and fit the new one to the bracket
·   Install back onto the car you may use some lube to get the fuel hoses back on attach hoses and clips and bolt the fuel filter back into place not to tightly the mounts are rubber so they will flex and break
·   Make sure the hoses are on correctly and turn the ignition on to prime the fuel system, check underneath the vehicle for any signs of a fuel leak do this a few times just to be certain and then if all is fine then put the covers back on and place the car back on the floor start the car and your done

[Donato]

How often should you change these? I did mine last August...

cheers

Donato

[Donato]

I did the exact same thing. On my way to Pips, half asleep at about 7am, (i had been driving since 4.30am) put ultimate diesel in it! Had to get it sucked out the tank, still made it to pips for 12 and got mapped! (had to endure the jokes about the only rotary diesel in britain...) :rollin

[GeckoGareth]

I started to do this using the workshop manual but it didn\'t mention anythign about removing guards so was as far as I could se impossible to get to.

Will give it a go ASAP.

cheers

Gareth

[rmagictastic]

Mornin all,

after my small diesel incident i gotta change the fuel filter, i hear it is a b*tch of a job, anyone done it???



tar

Nick

[rmagictastic]

you sir are a gentleman and a scholar!!!

[rmagictastic]

as far as i know you only change them after you fill the car with diesel.......DOH !!!

[scooby_si]

wasn\'t there some talk that jacking from rear diff may be bad idea? Otherwise all good stuff now to be stickified in this here FAQ section
Si

[Tintin]

Easiest way to do it is when your changing the diff  
While I was doing mine I was considering relocating the fuel pump to make it more accessable in future , origional idea was to relocate it to the engine bay but decided against in the end due to the heat and possibility of vapour lock , however I did find a great solution , extend the pipe work and locate the filter on the back of the rear subframe , unfortunatley I found this idea after I\'de stuck the new diff on and I wasn\'t going to start taking it off again

So next diff change   I\'ll relocate the filter , theres a right up on it on Nopistons

[blackrex]

Mornin all,

after my small diesel incident i gotta change the fuel filter, i hear it is a b*tch of a job, anyone done it???



tar

Nick

Ive just done my fuel filter and the neighbours its a arse of a job:spank its just how much you have to fiddle round drove me nuts it took me about an hour to do my one then when i did my neighbour\'s it took half that. Ive heard the filter should be changed every 40,000 miles or if your having it mapped it should be changed before the mapping (not sure how true this is).
The car did seem to drive better once I\'d changed it.

Mark

[Wo:Deep]

So next diff change   I\'ll relocate the filter , theres a right up on it on Nopistons

link?
thanks!