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Clamp Fuel

Posted in Uncategorized by admin on July 31, 2011

Clamp Fuel

Step-By-Step Guide to Changing Your Car's Fuel Filter

As gasoline moves from your gas tank to your engine, it passes through the fuel filter (FF). There are small particles in the gas that can clog your fuel injection system and wreak havoc within your engine. The filter prevents this from happening. This component allows gasoline to pass through while small particles and debris are caught.

Over time, the FF will become clogged from the accumulated debris. When this occurs, gas is prevented from passing through and reaching your engine. This too, causes problems. Many experts suggest replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 miles. This is a reasonable guideline, but is secondary to the mileage interval recommended by your owner's manual.

Below, I'll describe the steps you'll need to take to change your vehicle's FF. The filter costs less than $20; even though you can hire a mechanic to install it, you'll save time and money by doing it yourself.

Moving Forward With Safety In Mind

The first - and arguably, most important - step is to relieve the pressure in the fuel lines. Pressure is necessary for the operation of your fuel injection system. Even when you turn your car off, pressure remains within the lines. You need to relieve it before you disconnect these lines. Otherwise, you risk injury.

The pressure is regulated by the fuel pump. This pump is usually controlled by a specific fuse. Locate the fuse (check your owner's manual) and start your vehicle. With the engine idling, remove the fuse from its slot. The engine will die, expending all of the pressure within the fuel line in the process.

Disconnecting The Lines

With the pressure gone from the system, it's time to disconnect the lines that are attached to the fuel filter. You'll need two appropriately sized open-end wrenches to loosen the fittings. Once you have positioned the wrenches, place a small towel or rag on top of the fittings. This is an extra precaution against any remaining pressure in the line.

The proper method for loosening the fittings is to keep one wrench stationary (the one positioned on the fitting) while turning the other. Once the bolt has come off, set it aside and disconnect the line. You'll also need to do this on the other side of the FF.

Removing The Old Component

Once both fuel lines (on either side of the fuel filter) have been disconnected, the next step is to remove the filter. There will likely be a metal mounting bracket holding the FF in place. This bracket is usually tightened around the body of the filter by a clamp. The clamp can be loosed with a screwdriver.

One quick note: even though you have disconnected the fuel lines, the filter will probably be nearly full of gasoline. The gas inside should be cool since the engine is dormant, but you should still use care when removing it.

Installing The Replacement

The next step is to install the replacement. Let's go back to the bolts that held the fuel lines in place. Each bolt has a washer at the bottom of the threads. Now is a good time to replace these washers. But make sure the new washers match the old ones before installing the replacement filter and tightening the lines.

Place the mounting bracket around the new filter (make sure it's pointing in the right direction). Reconnect the fuel lines to each side of the component and tighten the clamp that holds the bracket in place. At this point, installation is complete. Before you start your engine, make sure you replace the fuel pump fuse in the fuse box.

As mentioned earlier, a new fuel filter costs less than $20. If you have a mechanic install it, you'll pay for his labor, which can be expensive. On the other hand, with a few tools, protective goggles, and approximately thirty minutes, you can perform the installation yourself.

About the Author

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