Fuel Filter

I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get my fuel filter off. My problem pretty much resides in the black "quick release" tabs on the one side of my old fuel filter. I started to pry them back w/ a screwdriver and one of the 4 tabs broke off. I don't understand how you can get to the white tabs that are actually on the fuel filter it self. I can move it about 1/8 of an inch but no more than that. I'm sure turning a wrench to remove the other side won't be hard but I've been told that i have to remove this side first.

Any tips? What i really need is some pictures but i can't find anything worthwhile online.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

i would go to your nearest auto parts place and get the quick release tool made for them kind of connecters. i don't think they coats that much plus they make life a little bit easier i bet. then the way your going about it now.
they may rent them to i don't know. call your nearest auto zone.

Read this link....
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=728028

yeah i did read that link. It was actually the primary reference I was using. I'll see about that quick release tool. I'd still like to know how to get that off of there without it. Every resource i've found says that its not real hard even without the tool so I must be doing it very very wrong.

Thanks for the quick replies, keep 'em commin' :wink:

Aaron

Uhm. Yea...

That quick release tool does WONDERS and makes the job EASY. lol

I would recommend renting or even buying one if possible if you plan on doing the filter yourself in the future.

Ok i'll just assume that when i get the tool, I'll know what to do with it. At this point I don't even know what the tool is going to do runaround I didn't really want to buy anything else but I guess thats what i'm going to have to do.

Thanks for the advise.

Aaron

Yeah they can be a real B* sometimes !

The platic piece is most likly going to break into a bunch of pieces.
The new filter will have the plastic part so thats not a big deal.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/xeroinfinity/SeCond%20Hand/fuelfilter4.jpg
Where the red arrows are has to be squeezed down toward the filter then it will loosen up the inside catch.

You probly have road debrie in the fitting not letting it compress to release the catch.
See if tapping on it, or blowing it out helps....
... though watch your eyes!

Not to sound condescending ,
it's so easy a caveman could do it :lol:

see the thing is, I can't get to the white plastic release part that you can see in that picture. It's like theres a piece between the fuel filter and the line. It's a black plastic piece with 4 tabs on it. I'll try to get a picture if it stops raining sometime today and i'll post it. I'm still going to probably get that tool but i'm not sure it will work even with that.

Ok I just went to the local Autozone and they said that the tools they had were to push back a spring, like ones commonly used on fords he said. He also said that most people just use a screwdriver for the clip ones. I think i'm going to have to get you guys some pictures because no one on this forum, nor anyone I've talked to in person seems to know what i'm talking about. Not sure why my filter would be different...

If pictures don't help then I'll probably go to my dealer or something to get the proper tool that I'll need.

I am in the same boat as Theessence. I am trying to get the black quick connnect fitting to disconnect but i cannot figure it out. and by the way i broke the four tabs off the black clip. so will that tool still work for me?

OK, If you both have a 4 tab filter clip(black) then that is probly the stock one :eek:
Or it might be a OEM replacement from the dealer, though the factory one's are the only ones I've seen with 4 tabs.

The tool is useless if the tabs are broken off.

Another way I hav done it, smash the female connector to break the clip inside.
It's a good way to screw up the female side of the line and its a dealer part that isnt fun to install on the top of the tank. :yikes:

A small screw driver would probly be best way.
A flashlight might also help get a better view of this its kinda dark under there.

ps pulling on the filter realy freakin hard has worked for me too.

Good Luck guys

I now find myself doing the same with the filter, and having the black piece having a brand new pump and lines, and new filter that I am replacing.... due to reasons =p

anyways, I know now what you guys are talkin about.. thats a PAIN!, I was told that the black piece is the 'tool' already installed on the line...

The way I was told to take it off would be to push the actual line towards the filter if its movable, pinch the black clip and the line together to "open" the clip inside, and to slide the line off the filter with it still clipped...

I didnt get to attempt it tonight, too dark but ill update tomorrow on how it goes and see if I can help anyone of you guys out :thumbsup:

ok so a couple of concerns now with that information. 1st of all, is it ok to take off the other side of the filter in order to make it "movable"? 2nd, Since those clips are pretty much broken off, do you think I'll still be able to push it in there and pull the filter off?

Yes you can take the nut side loose.
Be carefull though, gas will probly run out of it,
and could get into your eyes.
Thats a quick was to ruin your weekend.

Since they are broken off, you'll just have to keep at it untill up get it off.

Good Luck

what I meant was that the black filter clip tabs are broken off. The quick release tabs should be intact based on what I've attempted so far. So am I understanding this correctly... I take the black clip and push it away from the filter, toward the line, and then pull the filter out of the line?

It just sucks having been under my car for the past 3 days and making no progress at all. I want this time under there to be the last one, otherwise I think I'm going to have to get a professional; this would however be unfortunate because part of the reason I'm doing this at all is so that I can start learning some things about car repair/maintainence.

I think the information that we've got so far should be sufficient so I'll let you all know how it goes. *crosses fingers*

what I meant was that the black filter clip tabs are broken off. The quick release tabs should be intact based on what I've attempted so far. So am I understanding this correctly... I take the black clip and push it away from the filter, toward the line, and then pull the filter out of the line?

It just sucks having been under my car for the past 3 days and making no progress at all. I want this time under there to be the last one, otherwise I think I'm going to have to get a professional; this would however be unfortunate because part of the reason I'm doing this at all is so that I can start learning some things about car repair/maintainence.

I think the information that we've got so far should be sufficient so I'll let you all know how it goes. *crosses fingers*

Theessence,

I fairly sure I know what kind of tab you're talking about. Yes, the black piece with the tabs is the built in tool to remove the filter. It has to be pushed into the line to move the retainer bands on the inside. It can be a pain and with the tabs broken it's even harder. Yet, it still can be done. I would remove the nut end so it's more easy to move. Spray PB blaster/WD40 into the connection and try to 'work it' to make it move better. Push the line all the way in while you hold the filter. Since you can't push the black retainer in very well due to the broken tabs, us needle nose pliers (preferably one with a 45 or 30 degree bend) and pry the retainer in from against the filter. After that, pull the line off. It can be extremely difficult even with no broken pieces due to rust, debris....but it can be done. Good luck.

I changed mine today GRRR...... it had the black clip coving the line also.
i ended up just braking it off and digging the the rest out of line and pulled filter off and the spring like clip inside. then slip on the new filter that has the white clips on it as in the how to remove fuel filter section shows.

yea the black clip, I ended up breaking mine in the removing process, but there are still clips inside that grab onto the rib of the fuel filter, and just clips in, with out using the white clip that came along with it....

with the universal tool I have I can just fit it inside and push in and it'll release the clip....

changed it out, so far no leaks :dunno:

One more note. Be sure the little O-Ring comes out with the old fuel filter. if not look inside in the Inlet line(from tank to filter) for it. mine was yellow. if you don't get it out and you place new filter on which it comes with a new seal on it your going to have Leaky Leaky.
I found out the hard way :uhoh:

okay which way are you pulling the fiilter before you pull on the retainer with the pliers. does the filter and line have to be as close together as possible and then pull on the retainer towards the filter or other way around? kemi could you please explain the direction a bit clearer. thank you very much you are a big help.

i just went tthrough the same deal...had the black piece with the 4 tabs...sprayed lubricant on plastic piece until it spun freely....still couldn't get it to release pushing it away from the filter...about to give up when i took an open end wrench and used it to pry the black plastic piece away from the filter and it popped right off!...hope this helps somebody ...it was a real pain