fuel filter

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum... Yesterday I went to do a routine fuel filter change on my 2000 5.3 and was unable to break one of the nuts loose because of all rust and corrosion.. me and buddy were both wrenching on it and could only break the one side loose. We sprayed rust remover on it a few times throughout the day and to no avail.. What would you guys suggest doing?? thanks for any help!

I would go to sears and buy a wrench they are 6 point with a cut in one side to slip over the fuel line. You need a good open end wrench on the filter. Are you turning it the right war. Righty tighty lefty lucy.
Cheap wrenches equal busted nuckles.
Hopefully you didn't twist the fuel line because you didn't use a wrench on the filter. I also have observed where people flatten the nut using channel locks. If you did this get a tubing cutter cut the line buy a 1 foot section of steel line at the parts store thread one end into the filter cut to length and buy a splice fitting at the hardware, I would suggest a flare fitting.

Apply a good penetrating oil, such as "B'Laster" PB or Kroil to the fittings, and allow several days for the product to work. As rhand suggested, use a flare nut wrench to minimize the possibility of damage to the line nuts. When you assemble the new filter and lines, apply some anti seize compound to the threads of the line nuts to prevent future corrosion and seizing.

I just changed mine last Saturday . Laying on your back looking up at it can be confusing about the direction to turn it . One side of mine was stubborn and my wrenches that are designed for it would not fit. SAE instead of metric. Rob

I have a spare new fuel line if you're anywhere near NE Pa. Its the mid-section part with the fuel filter built in. I bought it but my mechanic (at the time) was able to free my rusted on fuel filter and replace just that. Now I'm stuck with the fuel line (99 EX CAB 4x4 4.8L). $100 and it's yours (If I remember correctly, I paid $190 for it). Otherwise I'll use it next time I change the fuel filter.

If it is rusted, That PB Blaster will work wonders! I swear by it. I just replaced my Rotors on my 94 Saturn (I swear they are the originals) I tried everything to get them off. WD-40, a sludge hammer, crowbar, you name it get those rotors off. I went to Walmart and bought this stuff, sprayed it on there for 30 seconds, one hit with the hammer and whala.. Rotor busted loose. Tried getting the other rotor off.. samething.. rusted solid.. sprayed 30 secs later came right off.

I replaced the filter on my truck yesterday. It had been replaced under warranty at least once before, but when I took it loose, it was tough to do. I considered putting anti-seize on it but decided not to.

How long are fuel filters supposed to last ?

Bert

http://tinypic.com/ei2g51

It depends on the gas you use. I would change around 35,000 miles or yearly.