How To Change The Car's Fuel Filter

By Author: Marty Vergel Baes
Total Articles: 413
Comment this article

The car's fuel filter screens dusts and rusts that goes with the fuel as it flows through the fuel line. This component is found in most engines with internal combustion mechanisms. According to most car advice, dirty fuel filter causes poor engine performance and ruins the vehicle's fuel economy. It is therefore important to clean the filter regularly by following the steps below.

Step 1: Turn off the car's engine

Before changing the car's fuel filter, make sure to turn off the engine. It is advisable to open the car's hood and leave it open for about an hour. This allows the engine to cool down. This also helps avoid injuries such as accidental burns from touching hot surfaces of the car.

Step 2: Prepare the tools you need

While waiting for the engine to cool down, you can make use of the time by preparing the tools you need. This includes a new fuel filter from the nearest auto shop, safety glasses to protect your eyes, Allen wrenches to detach and replace the bolts and screws, and an oil pan.

Step 3: Locate the oil filter and unscrew ...
... its ends

By the time the car's engine has cooled down, you can now proceed to the next step. Locate the area where the fuel filter is located. This is usually located underneath the car near the fuel tank. In case you are not able to locate this, consult the owner's manual of the car or try searching for a car advice that could tell you of its location. This is the best solution since the position of the fuel filter varies depending on the car's model.

After knowing its location, carefully unscrew its ends. A little amount of fuel usually leaks and this is just normal. Unscrew the connections using two wrenches, one to unscrew the gas line and the other to hold the bolt. Take off the mounting bracket after unscrewing the fuel lines.

Step 4: Detach the old oil filter and install the new one

Detach the old oil filter and install the new one as soon as you finished removing the bracket mounting. Make sure to replace the new oil filter the way the old one was installed. Put the mounting bracket around the new filter. Insert the fuel line and screw its connections back. Secure the new filter by screwing it back to the original position.