Fuel Filter location

[NewbieMcGee]

Quick but stupid question , i bought a fuel filter the other day and i couldnt find the location of the fuel filter on my 99 GA se
can any of you fellas point me in the right direction to where it is? photos would be cool , but any tech info is best. Thanks

[Doug]

right in front of the fuel tank

[Rba007]

Yup, its a silver looking piece, a cylinder, with its ends facing the sides of the car, just infront of the fuel tank

[Dr_Kyle]

I have tried and tried to change mine. I got the clip off with no prblem at all, but I cannot loosen that nut on the other side. How do you guys break it loose? It is drivin me nuts!

[Monello]

Service and Repair

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

CAUTION: In order to Reduce the Risk of Fire and Personal Injury:


If nylon fuel pipes are nicked, scratched or damaged during installation, Do Not attempt to repair the sections of the nylon fuel pipes. Replace them.
When installing new fuel pipes, Do Not hammer directly on the fuel harness body clips as it may damage the nylon pipes resulting in a possible fuel leak.
Always cover nylon vapor pipes with a wet towel before using a torch near them. Also, never expose the vehicle to temperatures higher than 115°C (239°F) for more than one hour, or more than 90°C (194°F) for any extended period.
Before connecting fuel pipe fittings, always apply a few drops of clean engine oil to the male pipe ends. This will ensure proper reconnection and prevent a possible fuel leak. (During normal operation, the O-rings located in the female connector will swell and may prevent proper reconnection if not lubricated.)
The fuel filter (2) is located under the rear of the car, behind the fuel tank. There is no service interval for fuel filter replacement. Replacement is required only if the fuel filter becomes restricted.






Relieve the fuel system pressure. Refer to Fuel Pressure Relief Procedure. CAUTION: Provide additional support when a vehicle is on a hoist in the following ways:
Before removing parts, support the opposite end. This helps prevent the vehicle from slipping off.
Before removing major components, chain the vehicle frame to the hoist pads at the same end as the removal This helps avoid a tip-off.
Failure to follow these precautions could cause vehicle damage, serious personal injury, or death.



Raise the vehicle and suitably support.





Using back-up wrench to remove the fuel filter fitting.





Disconnect the quick-connect fitting at the inlet of the the in-pipe fuel filter.
Remove the fuel filter.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

CAUTION: Always apply a few drops of clean engine oil to the male pipe ends before connecting fuel pipe fittings in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury.

This will ensure proper reconnection and prevent a possible fuel leak. During normal operation, the O-rings located in the female connector will swell and may prevent proper reconnection if not lubricated.






Remove the protective caps from the new fuel filter.
Install the fuel filter (2) in same position as the old fuel filter.
Connect the fuel filter fitting using a new O-ring.





Connect the the Quick-connect fitting at the inlet of the in-pipe fuel filter.
Lower the vehicle.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Inspect for fuel leaks through the following steps:
Reconnect the negative battery cable.
8.1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position for 2 seconds .
8.2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for 10 seconds .
8.3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
8.4. Check for fuel leaks.

Copyright © 2002 ALLDATA LLC

[Dr_Kyle]

Originally posted by Monello
Using back-up wrench to remove the fuel filter fitting.


What is a back-up wrench?

[Gimli]

Originally posted by Dr_Kyle


What is a back-up wrench?

Prolly the one you hold in your belt in case you drop the first one and fuel is ****ing everywhere :D

[Dr_Kyle]

Originally posted by Gimli


Prolly the one you hold in your belt in case you drop the first one and fuel is ****ing everywhere :D

lol

[VaGT]

Originally posted by Dr_Kyle
I have tried and tried to change mine. I got the clip off with no prblem at all, but I cannot loosen that nut on the other side. How do you guys break it loose? It is drivin me nuts!




Try holding the nut on the drivers side of the filter with a wrench, and twist the filter with your hand... there is not much room to turn the wrench.

[Dr_Kyle]

okay, I'll go give that a try.

[Dr_Kyle]

Wow, 2 showers later and I freakin REEEEEEK of gasoline. This is a conceptually simple process, I doubt there is anybody who can't accomplish it. It can be technically difficult and frustrating, though. I will add a few tips/pointers here:

- Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Nobody has really emphasized how important this is. There are several gallons of extremely combustible fuel inches from your face when you're doing this filter change. You don't want to die from static electricity. How weak would that be!?!?

- Relieve the pressure from the fuel system with the purge valve on the end of the back fuel rail. (this will spray at you, have a paper towel in place so you don't soak your engine.

VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT position yourself so that your face is directly under the filter. There is a LOT of caked on dirt up in there. There is also a LOT of gas still inside the filter and lines...

- have a rag handy, you WILL get gas on you
- there is still about a 1/2 cup of gas IN the filter, so don't tilt it to look inside it (yes I got gas in my hair!) lol
- WELL ventilated area!! (I am still lightheaded...but I don't really mind that :p
- DO NOT try to turn the filter (sorry VaGT), instead, loosen the nut that goes into the filter's nut (use two crescent wrenches in opposite directions)
- Try to loosen both sides until their almost off, then make the filter swap as fast as you can
- Except for the previous step, take your time and be patient. The process isn't going to be done in 30 seconds, give it some time and don't rush.

[X-ception]

how often should this be done? or when

[Dr_Kyle]

I believe it is every 2 years or 50,000 miles.

[VaGT]

Bringing up an old post.

Dr_Kyle, what is wrong with turning the filter?

I can think of only one thing... that turning the filter will twist the rubber hose on the passenger's side. This did not happen on my 2001. That end of the filter twisted loosely in the clamp mechanism they started using from 2001 on up. The nossle/clamp is held in place by the lip of the filter, but allows the filter to twist independantly of the fuel line.

Maybe the 2000 and below would not twist freely like this because of the different methodd used to secure the filter?

I only did it because I could not find the right size open ended wrench, and was trying to do it with an adjustable one. I was at my parent's house.

[Dr_Kyle]

Well, when I did that there was a lot of caked on dirt on top of it that ALL got into my face and eyes. There's probably nothing bad about doing it that way, but I found it much easier to do it the way I previously wrote.

[Drew99GT]

Even if you evacuate the fuel pressure from the rail, you'll still get mad spillage at the fuel filter. I found that out the hard way this weekend and resorted to putting on my safety glasses and duckt taping around the edges for a leak proof seal :cheers: I hate gas in my eyes!!!!!!!!!

[eric99gt]

not to be an idiot....but where is the fuel rail so i can release the pressure....what does it look like and what does the valve look like...is there only one valve...thanks for any help

[Dr_Kyle]

here's a pic of the end of the rail. You have to unscrew the black cap and iunderneath it looks like a tire valve. Just press the part ing the middle and it'll squirt a few drops of fuel out.

I'm ashamed of how dirty my engine is in this pic :( .

[Tonyyank]

lol...sorry but after reading this post..id prolly pay to have it done lol

i dont wanna smell like gas for to weeks....or blow my ass up :) LMFAO

Sorry Dr...glad you didnt die in the process :) lol

[eric99gt]

Hey guys, thanks for the help. I'm off to do it now. Will let u know how it turns out. And if I don't then its probably a good bet I blew my dumb ass up lol.

[eric99gt]

Well after 2 hours under the car its finally done. It WAS going along so smoothly....until that damn quick disconnect onf the male end. The plastic tab broke off and then the stupid thing wouldn't work....I had to cut the damn fuel filter off then try to pry the male end out of the hole with some picks. What a pita. Now the new one i got from NAPA simply is just a little clip on the outside...much easier. Sometimes i wonder why GM makes things so hard.

[GTluver]

Originally posted by eric99gt
Hey guys, thanks for the help. I'm off to do it now. Will let u know how it turns out. And if I don't then its probably a good bet I blew my dumb ass up lol. lol lol lol lol lol

[gtaholic]

DR_KYLE

I hate to quote all your mishaps but I needed a good laugh. I could totally picture you and all. What a classic. But yeah the fuel filter is alot easier the second time.

If you think you had it bad, just have a GM tech Undercoat your car. Then try the filter switch. They get that black shti all over everything that you need to see.

[Dr_Kyle]

Originally posted by gtaholic
DR_KYLE

I hate to quote all your mishaps but I needed a good laugh. I could totally picture you and all. What a classic. But yeah the fuel filter is alot easier the second time.

If you think you had it bad, just have a GM tech Undercoat your car. Then try the filter switch. They get that black shti all over everything that you need to see.

No worries, when I think about how much "fun" it was, I have to laugh too! There I was thinkin how stupid it would be to pay to have it done. About 1/2 hour later with dirt in my eyes and gas all over my face and clothes, I think we can all tell who the stupid one is. lol

[Pixer]

So what filter should I get? And where can I get it. Thanksfor the help.

[MattBatt]

So basically to sum it all up this is just one of those jobs that you pay someone to do becuase they either have the right tools or insurance.:D

Well I'm off to Pep Boys

[VaGT]

Originally posted by Tonyyank
lol...sorry but after reading this post..id prolly pay to have it done lol

i dont wanna smell like gas for to weeks....or blow my ass up :) LMFAO

Sorry Dr...glad you didnt die in the process :) lol


Tony...

The 2001's and on are signifigantly easier than the 99/00's. They changed to a very easy clip system to remove the fuel line from the filter. The filter you buy may come with a plastic clip on one side... tear it off. This is the clip for the 99/00. It is not needed for the 2001+.

It really is a quick job. My Dealer wanted about $75 to do it. ... insane.

I have some pictures from when I did it. Hell, when I got this car, I had to ask how to change the oil on here (knew the process, but wanted specifics etc), and I had no problems with the fuel filter.

I need to post the images and diections I typed up in the How To section and maybe send them over to n-body. Can't get to it this weekend, but maybe the first part of next week.

From what I understand, the 1999/2000 is do-able yourself, but a tool the dealer has or one you might be able to find makes it easier.

[VaGT]

Originally posted by Pixer
So what filter should I get? And where can I get it. Thanksfor the help.


Any filter that will fit. Avoid FRAM... if their fuel filters are as bad as their oil filters, I don't want anything to do with them.. and I am not gonna take that chance.

I bought a AC Delco from the dealer, but there are other brands like Purolator out there that fit.

[MattBatt]

AAAARRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!! :rage: :rage: :rage: :rage:
I tried to pull off my filter last night (because I am a cheap skate) I ended up breaking the plastic parts off then tried prying at what was left with a screwdriver I broke more off. Since that didn't work I took my car up to the dealer today and they told me they couldn't get it off and the only way to replace the filter would be to replace the entire fuel pump assembley ($650.00!!!!!! ).

I am stuck as to what to do. My filter is 70,000 miles old and last night when I poured the fuel out of the filter on the nut end it was really dirty. I think I need a redneck to fix it for me with some duct tape and some chewing gum, but I don't know any.

Moral of the story fuel filters should be changed by professionals because if they break something you don't have to replace it.

[eric99gt]

Same exact thing happened to me man. I know it's a pita but it can be done. What u should try to do is to cut the fuel filter off at the male end. Then u will have more room to pry around in there. And i don't see how they would have to replace the whole assembely. Couldn't they just put a new fuel line in???? I would try another dealer to if u can't get it out with the way i told ya.
Hope this helps

[gtaholic]

It's always easier after the first time. Most filters you will buy will have a new and improved clip making it easier than the stock one. This is my past experience.

[MattBatt]

You know I was thinking about what that dealer said and it doesn't make sense to me. When I was under the car the fuel filter I thought Had an arrow pointing the direction of fuel travel and it pointed from the Nut end to the Plastic Doohickie end and that would make sense cuase that fuel line goes to the front of the car. So if my assumption is correct then why would the dealer want to replace something further back (upstream if you will) from the fuel filter? There was nothing wrong with the fuel line coming from the gas tank to the filter just from the filter foward.

I know this thread is kinda dead and way off topic but am I correct?

[VaGT]

GM did end up making the 2001 and later ones easy to replace.

[eric99gt]

That's what I'm saying. I don't think they would have to replace all that just for the fuel filter being jammed up in there. You can replace fuel lines. Once again maybe you should go somewhere else besides the dealer if your not under warranty anymore.

Originally posted by MattBatt
You know I was thinking about what that dealer said and it doesn't make sense to me. When I was under the car the fuel filter I thought Had an arrow pointing the direction of fuel travel and it pointed from the Nut end to the Plastic Doohickie end and that would make sense cuase that fuel line goes to the front of the car. So if my assumption is correct then why would the dealer want to replace something further back (upstream if you will) from the fuel filter? There was nothing wrong with the fuel line coming from the gas tank to the filter just from the filter foward.

I know this thread is kinda dead and way off topic but am I correct?

[MattBatt]

Yeah I am going to but I don't know where. I wonder if another Dealer would be better.

[eric99gt]

What about like a local garage. They're usually cheaper than a dealership and if ur not under warranty that is probably ur best bet.

[Rogue9]

when I did it the clip was a black and green piece. looked really easy to remove. which it was when I finally figured out how to fit my hand in there.
is this different from pre 2000 models?

mine's a 2001.

[Blackrider]

Well i did mine today! It took about 30 Min to To. I found that easyest way to crack the Bolt is to take a wrench and hold the nut on the end of the fuel filter then use another wrench to crack the fuel line Bolt off. The Clip On the other end is really easy just locate the green part of the clip find the Seporation and use a swrew driver to open up the seporation then once again using a screw driver push the clip backwards then slide the filter out Then install and check for leaks!. Well anyways I'm Really High and smelly right now i'm going to have a shower then play some Golf :)

EDIT: And If you ask me the Fuel Filer is behind the tank not infround of the car. EG

rear of car---------Fuel Filer--Gas TanK--------------------Frount of car

:thumbs:

[VaGT]

Originally posted by Rogue9
when I did it the clip was a black and green piece. looked really easy to remove. which it was when I finally figured out how to fit my hand in there.
is this different from pre 2000 models?

mine's a 2001.


Totally different. 2000 and earlier did not use the green clip.

You had to remove the clear plastic clip on the one end of the new filter right? Before installing it... that is the clip they are having the problems with. The 2001's+ don't use that.


If I had a 2000 and earlier, I'd of probably taken it somewhere to have it done. The 2001's really simplified things.

[VaGT]

Dug up some visual aids.


These images are of 2001 and later

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=152878

[VaGT]

Another

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=152882

[VaGT]

final one.

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=152885

[Blackrider]

Originally posted by VaGT
Totally different. 2000 and earlier did not use the green clip.

You had to remove the clear plastic clip on the one end of the new filter right? Before installing it... that is the clip they are having the problems with. The 2001's+ don't use that.


If I had a 2000 and earlier, I'd of probably taken it somewhere to have it done. The 2001's really simplified things.

Yeah Thats the One The Dumb add Guy at the Dealership said that there was no change From 2000-2001. I was like Uww yes their is


EDIT: Your Forgot to post the one of the Fuel Gussing out :p

[VaGT]

Originally posted by Blackrider

EDIT: Your Forgot to post the one of the Fuel Gussing out :p



Did you forget to relieve the pressure under the hood? :D

[Blackrider]

No I dident Actualy i was Supised At How fast ic came out BUt I Compleatly Releaved the pressue in the fuel rails:D

[iceman]

bump bump.. great thread, got mine changed today. A little hard getting wrenches in there but oh well. Bring a towel, lotsa gas comes out ;)

[AleroME]

Originally posted by iceman
bump bump.. great thread, got mine changed today. A little hard getting wrenches in there but oh well. Bring a towel, lotsa gas comes out ;)

LOL.. same here.. lotta gas comes out.. but i have long arms so i just felt in from the muffler area and reached to the fuel filter when I changed mine last week. Plus my hands smelt like gas till the next day.

But did you use an O-Ring.. since I know the filters don't come with any and the haynes manual says to use one.. When I changed mine previous not last week.. I didn't use an O-ring but it didn't leak.. guess I was lucky. This time I used one just to be sure.

[iceman]

No O-ring, just had to take the plastic tabs off of the filter as suggested coz I have an '01.