How often should I replace the fuel filter?

My fiancee took her car to get her oil changed and they said the fuel filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles. Is that right? I've never heard of that.

[AleroME]

the recommendation change is every 15,000 miles... for my alero i waited for 30,000. Also i had my injectors and throttle/intake de-carb too.

[sunrunner_pei]

I replace mine once/year. It's a simple job and an inexpensive part.

[mfuller]

Originally posted by SL_
My fiancee took her car to get her oil changed and they said the fuel filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles. Is that right? I've never heard of that.

Most experts recommend that you change fuel filters around 30,000 miles.

Thanks all!

If it's easy, is there a how-to somewhere? Can someone give me some advice?

This is for a 98 Grand Am SE 4-door.

[VaGT]

You could pick up a Hayne's manual. Aside from being a little messy, it should be easy, but some people have wrote about problems with the clips breaking while trying to take them off. I think there is a tool that the dealerships have... can you buy this at an autoparts store? Anyone want to comment on difficulty getting the thing off?

I will probably do mine this fall...


I would think 30,000 is fine as long as you are not using no-name dirty brands, and running cleaner through there once in awhile.

[Doug]

where is it on a 2000 2.4L and whats the replacement?

[VaGT]

FYI - I just looked at the Haynes Manual and they say to replace the Fuel Filter every 2 years or 30,000 miles.

Our Owners manuals don't even list it as scheduled maintenance.

[VaGT]

After reading what the Haynes manual has to say, I have a couple questions...

They say to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before changing the fuel filter, and also mention that if the car has theftlock, to turn off the "lockout" feature because you are disconnecting the battery.

Are these steps really needed?


On a side note... has anyone ever backed up onto Rhino Ramps? Is there enough clearance in the back? Will the front (being angled downwards) scrape? I don't have jack stands... just ramps.

[action]

Fuel filter locted under rear end of car next to spare tire well. Use a small flat top screwdriver to open up the plastic clip then push green part straight up and that side will slide out. Two wrenches are required for the other side.

I replace mine once a year.

Originally posted by VaGT
After reading what the Haynes manual has to say, I have a couple questions...

They say to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before changing the fuel filter, and also mention that if the car has theftlock, to turn off the "lockout" feature because you are disconnecting the battery.

Are these steps really needed?

Oh, yea, I've got a Haynes for my Alero...

Safety reasons. Don't want any sparks flying! As for the theftlock, for my Alero at least, as long as you know the code to unlock it, you'll be fine.

mine was very difficult to remove....i followed all the great instructions lots of people posted but guess what...clips broke anyway...i tried the needle nose pliers technique...i tried pushing in and twisting, i tried pulling straight out, i tried pushing in the clip in as far as i could, supposedly it comes popping right out...but in the end...2 broken tabs convinced me to drive over to pepboys...guess what the dude had a hell of a time too...i was waiting for 45 mins....but they did finally change it. and i was out just 20 bills...i got to browse around the store and pick up some goodies. ill tackle it again soon though...hope the new tabs are easier than the last to work with.

[sunrunner_pei]

After changing mine again last month, I found that a pair of wire strippers works best to push back the clip. Yes, I said wire strippers. Use them to pry the clip gently away from the filter, then pull the filter out. Voila!

...I struggled with a pair of needle-nose pliers for 40 minutes before seaching the work benchb for something else, and this time the filter came off with my first attempt!

[VaGT]

Which part of the wire strippers... the end pliers part or the wire stripping part?

[Doug]

May I ask why do you have to disconnect your battery. I hate disconnecting mine because my alarm goes off everytime.

[Doug]

ok I found the filter. WHen I take the nut off and then the clip is fuel going to pour out? I know the system is underpressure. Is there any thing I have to do to relieve is or does it have some kind of valve to stop the flow when you change it?

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by VaGT
Which part of the wire strippers... the end pliers part or the wire stripping part?

I used the wire stripper part. Don't squeeze on the fuel line though. Just use them to pry the clip away from the filter.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by Doug
ok I found the filter. WHen I take the nut off and then the clip is fuel going to pour out? I know the system is underpressure. Is there any thing I have to do to relieve is or does it have some kind of valve to stop the flow when you change it?

There is no need for a shutoff valve... There will be some fuel spillage, but it won't spray fuel or anything like that. Just have a pan ready to catch any dropping fuel, and make sure the car has cooled down completely before attempting the swap, as the exhaust pipe is close to the filter. Undo the "nut" end first, then let the filter drain. Then take off the other side.

If any of this seems too complicated, or you're in any way uncomfortable with it, any mecahanic or dealership should change the filter for a reasonable rate. (No more than $20)

[Doug]

nah I'll do it. Just wanna make sure its not going to spray fuel across my garage

First of all, the Haynes manual says to press the _white_ quick release... It's not white! It's black!

Ok, so I'm having a hell of a time getting the old one off.

The black plastic clip: Should I be squeezing the end closer to the fuel filter? Should it be pressed/moved closer to the fuel filter? Or away? Do I pry the tabs up (therefore forcing the end closest to the filter down)? Does the clip come off with the filter or with the fuel line? While squeezing the clip, should I pull on the fuel line or the filter?

Getting close to taking it to the shop! Ugh! HELP!