How do you remove the fuel filter?

[FrankNY]

I am able to remove the side that screws on/off, but the other side where it snaps on/off I'm having trouble. I think the filter is the original, I have the tool to suppress the little clip to allow the line to disengage but it doesn't seem to be able to get in there. Is the original filter held on differently, where you must break off the plastic piece with the little clip? My Trans Am is the same filter# & it appears different, I can get to the clip to suppress with my fingers to release. The Alero is different. Any help is appreciated.

[super white alero1]

Pitch the clip push in towards the line pitch some more, then pull out.


Goss the sounds dirty.

[meadus101]

Is this relatively an Easy job?

[Alero_1986]

Originally Posted by meadus101

Is this relatively an Easy job?

Yes, if you have the tools and patience.

The new fuel filter usually includes a new plastic retainer. so I would assume you could break the old one.. being careful not to damage the fuel line.

[meadus101]

So how do you not get fuel everywhere on this? Someone should write a How-to.

[Vinalero]

Ya, watch for those lines, test for leaks when you reassemble.

[super white alero1]

Run the tank bone dry is the only way to prevent fuel leakage, even then there fuel in the filter. No way to prevent that.

[FrankNY]

Originally Posted by Alero_1986

Yes, if you have the tools and patience.

The new fuel filter usually includes a new plastic retainer. so I would assume you could break the old one.. being careful not to damage the fuel line.

Thank you for your opinion, however I want to hear from someone who knows for sure that the original piece is "broken off" to get the original filter to release. Thanks again.

i have done this frank and it makes your job 10x easier if you remove the evap canister right in front of the fuel filter so you have room to put your arm up there and get the green piece off. 1 bolt holds on the evap canister (black box) and it slides out, then you have some room. Leave the screw fitting on because that's the stable side, i used a pocket knive and pushed on the side of the green piece (connector) and one side unhinged and then you push it out of the fitting and then unscrew the other side. Very easy when that canister is not in your way.

Edit: I read someone's post above about breaking the fitting, DO NOT BREAK THE FITTING, the fitting that came with my fuel filter didn't even fit on my v6.

[FrankNY]

Originally Posted by Pacho

i have done this frank and it makes your job 10x easier if you remove the evap canister right in front of the fuel filter so you have room to put your arm up there and get the green piece off. 1 bolt holds on the evap canister (black box) and it slides out, then you have some room. Leave the screw fitting on because that's the stable side, i used a pocket knive and pushed on the side of the green piece (connector) and one side unhinged and then you push it out of the fitting and then unscrew the other side. Very easy when that canister is not in your way.

Edit: I read someone's post above about breaking the fitting, DO NOT BREAK THE FITTING, the fitting that came with my fuel filter didn't even fit on my v6.

Thanks, I'll try again this weekend, I did move the evap canister out of the way, that was the only way to get two wrenches in there to loosen the inline nut & hold the filter. So on the green piece, I should unhinge the little clip (which I previously did). Now should I squeeze the green connector while I try to pull out the old filter? That's where I am having a problem. I tried to pull off the green connector from the black line that comes from the fuel tank and it didn't move at all. I stopped because its all plastic & was afraid of breaking it. You're saying that the green piece is not to be removed.

Once you unhinge one side of the green connector, it slides up and out (took some work to slide out), then when you put the new filter on-you slide the green piece back in and snap it back into place.