Alero Fuel filter

I have an 1999 alero 2.4 and i just finishing my tune up, and i was replacing the fuel filter. the factory filter is still inplace on the car and it is ridiculous. the filter has a flare and nut on one side and the other side is some sort of black spring like lock. any suggestions for easy removal of this damn clip. i have managed to break 2 of the plastic tabs off trying to remove it. i figured that you had to spread the whole thing for removal and in doing so i pulled too hard and broke to tabs off. i really need to get this figured out i hve to work in like 3 hours(ha) and i have a fuel filter just hanging below my car half broken?
please please someone must know an easy way for removal.

Taken form Heyness repair manual.

Squeeze the white plastic quick disconnect tabs together and pull the inlet line away from the filter, then detach the outlet line from the fuel filter - unbolt the filter mounting bracket to remove the fuel filter.

its not that easy, this is not the quick disconnect type. the new filter i have is a quick disconnect. i was able to remove the black plastic clip(destroyed it) and not the filter is still stuck in place. there seems to be a set of clips within the bell housing of the connector. what to do?

its not that easy, this is not the quick disconnect type. the new filter i have is a quick disconnect. i was able to remove the black plastic clip(destroyed it) and not the filter is still stuck in place. there seems to be a set of clips within the bell housing of the connector. what to do?


The black clips were for you to release the filter...push the clip in and pull the filter off..
Now you will have to release the 4 metal tabs that hold the filter or get a release tool to remove it.

I have the same prob with my alero. All the clips are broke. Its not that easy is correct! I have to have 2 vise grips on both sides and a flat head screwdriver to get it to pull off. It takes a good 20 min of fighting with it to get it off. I think 2 visefrips with a flat head screw driver will work. thats what i use and it works.

I was going to change my fuel filter until I had gas spray me in the face......

That's why you're supposed to relieve the pressue in the system before starting any work on the fuel lines...

Jeremy

...it's a pressured system!
I ended up cutting it off and removing the metal clips with a flat head screw driver and a pair of vice grips. I dont think it worked right in the first place to have the black plastic thing on it, i cant see how it was setup to remove the filter to begin with or maybe it slipped off the metal clips but i think cutting it and pulling it off my was was the only way. the new filter is super sweet compared to the old!

How do you take out the pressure? There is no way of doing that, is there?

Loosen nut very slowly! and have good patients + safety glasses!

That's why you're supposed to relieve the pressue in the system before starting any work on the fuel lines...

Jeremy




LOL, now you tell me.... Nothing feels better than gasoline in the eyes....

no, but it makes as a good aftershave! duhh.! lol

To release the fuel pressure, start the car and then remove the fuel pump relay.

To take that a little further:

- Jack the car up first. After its where you want it in order to do the work on it, set the e-brake and start the car; make sure its in park of course.
- With the car running, open the hood. Then remove the cover to the fuse box relay. Pull the relay for the fuel pump and let the car die on its own. Once its dead, turn the car completely off.
- Complete the work and then reinsert the relay. The car should start okay now.

- Jeremy

I have 1999 alero, broke off the 4 black tabs out of frustration. I tried 2 different quick release tools, no luck. I think I'll just leave well enough alone since car is running fine now.
If i HAD to get off, think i would cut off the existing tube that comes off from the filter...maybe I could access what's left of the quick release mech. then...or just attach to new filter with a hose and clamps using the stub left when cut off ???

There is a spcial tool you can get at auto parts store.
I found my answers on answers.com- This is what I found:
The fuel system is pressurized! Before doing any service, relieve the pressure by starting the engine and removing the fuel pump fuse or relay while the engine is running, the car should die after a few moments. Also, it's probably advisable to remove the gas cap and disconnect the battery after depressurizing the system(make sure you know your radio's (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_the_fuel_filter_located_and_how_do_you_re place_it_on_a_2001_Oldsmobile_Alero#) theft-lock code before disconnecting the battery!).

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_the_fuel_filter_located_and_how_do_you_re place_it_on_a_2001_Oldsmobile_Alero#ixzz1WK0zj0Mq

I just spent 3 days trying to remove the fuel filter off my Son's 1999 Alero 2.4 . I did some digging on the internet before I attempted so I had an idea of what to do with the black plastic quick connect fitting but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the filter off. I have a company car so this car has hardly been driven in the last 9 years (80K miles) so there wasn't any corrosion or rust so I thought it would be easy to remove. After a couple trips to the parts store to get some fuel line removal tools (Got both the metal scissors type and the plastic type). The metal scissors was too wide and I couldn't get it to fit between the filter and the quick connect so I thought I'd try the plastic type. I thought I could shave down the length of the plastic cylinder to make it fit. Still didn't work.

I found a post where a guy just broke it off and pulled it apart so i thought I'd try that.. I broke the tabs off but couldn't get the inside black piece out so I don't recommend breaking the tabs off if you can help it. So, to get the filter off I took a small pair of needle nose pliers and put it between the fuel filter and the black ring (what was left of the black quick connect adapter. I was able to hold the pliers and filter in my right hand and the quick connect in my left hand. I pushed the fuel filter and quick connect together to relieve pressure on the metal tines inside the quick connect and at the same time I pushed the pliers toward the filter which pushed the black ring inside the quick connect. I could actually hear the metal tines inside the connect click as the black ring was being pushed inside. while holding the pliers against the filter which was keeping pressure on the black ring I pulled the quick connect away and they came apart. I had to try a few different times but it only took about 3 minutes of trying compared to the 2 days with all the tools.

i was then able to just put the new filter in with the black ring still in there. That filter lasted for 16 years so I hope I never have to change it again.

I have an 1999 alero 2.4 and i just finishing my tune up, and i was replacing the fuel filter. the factory filter is still inplace on the car and it is ridiculous. the filter has a flare and nut on one side and the other side is some sort of black spring like lock. any suggestions for easy removal of this damn clip. i have managed to break 2 of the plastic tabs off trying to remove it. i figured that you had to spread the whole thing for removal and in doing so i pulled too hard and broke to tabs off. i really need to get this figured out i hve to work in like 3 hours(ha) and i have a fuel filter just hanging below my car half broken?
please please someone must know an easy way for removal.
Taken form Heyness repair manual.
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