Fuel Filter

[thesaint]

Hi,

Sorry, this may be a dumb question, but what is involved in changing the fuel filter? Is it something that I could do myself or would I be better off getting a mechanic to do it?

Cheers

[CJ]

Sorry, this may be a dumb question, but what is involved in changing the fuel filter? Is it something that I could do myself or would I be better off getting a mechanic to do it?

The fuel filter is messy to get at, its easier to remove from below. Personally, I'd only attempt this under a ramp, IIRC you also need to disconnect the fuel pump (under rear seat) in advance.

As it happens, this is another item on my to-do list

CJ

[kevinod]

All depends on how confident you are with your own mechanical skills... its doable (I'll be trying it myself one of these days) but of course you don't want to mess about when petrol is involved.

Check out the first workshop manual, available from the downloads page, and look at page 178 (13B-3). There's a procedure in 13A that shows how to get rid of the pressure from the line first. Then its a matter of actually reaching the thing, looks to be in an awkward spot to work on!

[mcgon1979]

hey lads, this is actually on my to-do list also. Can get a generic fuel filter over here that I can use? Or do I need to buy an OE part from camskill?

[thesaint]

cheers guys, sounds a bit tricky alright, will leave it to someone who knows more about it.

[mark]

I changed mine the other day funnily enough(GR). Not too easy but best way to it is from the top of the engine. Remove the battery and air intake for more space. Be really careful as the pipes in and out are tight and if you kink the steel line 'in' then you are well fcuked!
I actually climbed on top of the intake manifold for a better angle- obviously the engine was cold for safety reasons.
Replaced it after a few minutes hard work and started it up. Ran fine for a while on idle- MAKE SURE YOU CHECK FOR LEAKS with engine running and tighten accordingly.
But later when I tried to drive off the engine would stall- exactly same characteristics as stepper motor trouble. I noticed while working that some wires on the lambda or oxygen sensor were exposed so i taped them. I may have damaged something. After half an hour or so of reving and stalling the problem seemed to sort itself out. There seems to be a slight loss of power though so I'm not sure if it's fuel filter or sensor- any ideas?!

[kevinod]

Short of putting the fuel filter on backwards , or somehow restricting the flow through the hoses going into the fuel filter, I don't see how that would cause your problem... I'd be more inclined to think it would be something to do with the sensors.

Maybe check them out with a voltmeter like it says in the workshop manual?

[mark]

It certainly ain't on backwards! Must be the sensor I'm thinking...

[mark]

Took tape off sensor and its fine again!

[kevinod]

Took tape off sensor and its fine again!

Hate it when that happens!

[mark]

Tell me about it. Anytime I try to help my FTO it gives me hassle! But usually not for long, such a reliable car. I'm in the process of spending about 2k on it, suspension bits, engine its, timing belt, new tyres, new exhaust etc etc. The list is endless..
Glad you got the gaitors sorted.

[Hercules Q. Einstein]

I changed my fuel filter today.
It didn't go to bad, did it from the top by removing battery etc.
Trickiest bit was unbolting the bottom part, you need to hold the
smaller nut with a spanner while you twist off the old fuel filter with
another spanner.

One question.
There's a hose pipe that gets attached to the top of fuel filter by screwing a bolt through the end of the hose and into the filter.
This bolt has a hole drilled through the centre of it.
Should this hole be lined up with the hose or does it matter?
It jus crossed my mind that by not having the hole correctly lined up
that the flow of fuel would be restricted and might effect performance.

[mark]

That's a banjo bolt! The fuel should circulate around it, I found it very difficult to marry up as I didn't want to force anything too much and car runs ok but if you can do and let us know how it's going. I don't think it was that way when I first got to it....