Fuel Filter

[cherrington17]

Recently i've been going through my car file (repair/warrenty stuff) and i've noticed that twice (once dealer, once local mech) both recommended that i change the fuel filter (that was 20k miles ago) so i'm thinking... maaayybeee... i should do it soon.

i looked up www.rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com) and they have 4 different ones listed with a range of prices. is there really a difference in quality, or should i just get the cheap one?

ACDelco - $12
Wix - $9.95
Protech - $5.80
Fram - $5.45-9.52

even the high end is still pretty damn cheap, but what could the functional difference be, between the delco and the protech?

also, while i'm down there, anything i should be on the look out for?

[Naich]

For $6 more, I would get the delco filter.

Get ready to take a gas shower lol. I paid my local shop to do it when I brought it in to get the hub replaced. they charged me $20 including parts and labor. So it was worth just letting them do it.

[Blender345]

I also have been getting recommendations to change my fuel filter the last 3 times I went to get my oil changed, I just figured I could do it myself (never have before). But for 20 bucks maybe I'll just let them do it. I don't really like the place I go to. Always wanting me to flush my engine or someshit for like 70 bucks and they ask me to do that shit everytime. Like guy, I came here for an oil change, I appreciate your input but damn stop trying to rob me. But I did end up letting them do whatever they needed for that 70 after joining this site, thinking it would make it run better.

[pawzbear]

yah its not fun doing the fuel filters on our cars... but its a basic maintenance thing so thats why they prob recommended it. Especially if you have never done it before - its probably overdue. I like to change mine when i do my spark plugs - thats a good time frame.

And it really doesnt matter what brand, no big difference on most street cars. I have never heard of Protech before though. We usually just put Wix or sometimes Fram on customers cars though.

It may be hard to do yourself, your supposed to use a special puller for it but it can be done without it (at least on the 2.4)

[Naich]

It can be done without a special tool, but it is kind of hard to get at, especially with huge meaty paws like mine.

[bigdaddyD]

I hear ya naich, i spent 3 hrs tryin to get mine out and said screw it, took it to a dealer and paid $40 for them to remove it.

[cherrington17]

i'm sitting at 58k, and its never been done... so i think its about due.

also, if it'll bump my mpg up a tad (if i'm losing any fuel pressure due to a stuffy filter) then it'll be worth it.

luckily, i don't have huge hands, so i should be fine. and if i'm really fighting with it, i have a friend around the corner who has plenty of experience...

[bigdaddyD]

i didnt change my filter til about 80k miles, didnt notice any difference in mpg, i was told by a friend that it might help with the startup, my car is turning over but it goes a few time before it fires up.

[cherrington17]

ha. mines done that since i got it. hmm....

[Redog]

Since they are that cheap, just go with the Delco.

I changed it myself, once, but that was when I was working at the shop and I had a lift. It's a real PIA to get to without one

Changing your fuel filter will help with gas milage, plus a clogged filter makes the pump work harder

[cliffordwoeller]

I just changed mine and man it was aPIA because who ever had the car before looks like they tried to do it them selves and couldnt do it and so they tried to pry it out it looks like bent the connection on the side that the fuel goes into the filter, but it doesnt seem to be leaking cause I have checked it several times. but the one I got was from autozone and it had plastic clips as opposed to the metal ones on the one I pulled out.

[Redog]

^^ The good thing about that is that it's really high up and tucked in so less chance for damage, unlike my Cougar ;)

[TheEdgeofSanity]

i'm sitting at 58k, and its never been done... so i think its about due.

also, if it'll bump my mpg up a tad (if i'm losing any fuel pressure due to a stuffy filter) then it'll be worth it.

luckily, i don't have huge hands, so i should be fine. and if i'm really fighting with it, i have a friend around the corner who has plenty of experience...

haha, maybe i'm a little overdue at 103K on the original...well. for $12, i think its worth it. so, will gas keep coming out if i don't work fast? i mean, i think i can handle it but don't want to lose a tank of gas over it.

[cliffordwoeller]

no I relieved the pressure on the fuel lines like I was toaught.. all I did was remove the fuel cap,pulled the fuel pump fuse and tried to start the car until it wasnt gonna start and i lost maybe 12 oz at the most

[cavaliers60]

My car's at almost 91,000 miles and I have not changed it since owning the car starting at 65,000 miles.... I have no idea if it has been changed before, so maybe it's something I should look into as well.... Time to make a pit stop to my mech. I also need to get my brakes looked at... yippie!

[cliffordwoeller]

well when I got my HO I just treated her like everyone else treated her like shite and replaced things and still trying to replace things just to have peace of mind

[Pacho]

when you are down there, unscrew the evap canister and slide it out and hang it on something. you will have a lot more extra room and it makes the job 10x easier

[billytheman1188]

where exactly is the filter located.....i mean, if i get under and look i can find it. where is it in the back? I gotta change mine before the big drive. im at 63k and its never been changed.

[bigdaddyD]

mine was inbetween the gas tank and rear axle, but setting above the gas tank, just about dead center of the car( when your looking at the trunk)

[Vinalero]

when you are down there, unscrew the evap canister and slide it out and hang it on something. you will have a lot more extra room and it makes the job 10x easier

What he said, much MUCH room to get to the filter. Took 10 min to change with a conventionnal jack. Be careful not to break your fuel lines if they are rusted.

Another Advice: When all is done, before taking the car down, do a test and start the car to see if theres any leaks.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Im a firm believer in WIX oil filters, so I would try the Wix Fuel filter when I change mine out if they are locally available.