cavalier fuel filter

I would like to change the fuel filter in our 1998 2.4 cavalier. How difficult would this be. Any help would be appreciated.

If you have to ask a message board about it, then it will be hard for you.

If you want to try it, you'll need a pair of needle nose pliers and a 16mm (I think) line wrench - I haven't done mine for a while and have done enough other cars' filters to make me forget the exact size. A little rust busting spray won't hurt either. But I'm too tired to type out complete instructions.

the quick disconnect tabs are piles of junk on these things, Just going to forewarn you.

the quick disconnect tabs are piles of junk on these things, Just going to forewarn you.

How do you get them off? I tried and it seemed impossible. I heard there's a special tool. Will that make any difference?

I have the special tools (mine are plastic) that are supposed to work for this type of connector - but they dont help much. Our Saturn apparently has the same type of connectors, and I finally had to pry them apart, damaging the internals. Then I guess you should replace the damaged section of fuel line, with a new one. What I did was to re-install the connectors, and used a web of stainless steel safety wire to hold the connectors from coming apart. It looks hoaky, but is likely to hold up. I cant recommend it for anyone else though. How do others deal with the GM fuel line 'quick disconnect' fittings on cars from the 90's?

I purchased a set of lisle for 5/16 and 3/8 inch and also a set for ac lines which work for some GM heater disconnects. They look like an x with a fitting on each end for going around the fuel line. Pep Boys stores sell them. I got mine at a flea market. Look carefully when they come apart that you get the o-ring or it will leak. Most new filters have a new piece on the end. I only had a problem getting the original off I change my filter yearly. Buy a line wrench,16mm or 5/8 and a set of metric box open wrenchs 6mm to 32mm. If you do many repairs you will need them. Buying decent tools makes your jobs much easier. I think the filter end took a 20mm on my chevy.

I have never done this before but I thought I would give it a try. I got one of those x tools. Experimenting with the clip and new filter, it looks like it is going to be extremely difficult to get it worked under the clip because it looks like there will be very little clearance between the end of the filter and the end of the hose.

I have seen a slightly different kind of x tool that I would like to have but I am not willing to spend the $15 or so that it costs. (the curved blade on it is in the shape of a curved T instead of the shape of a curved rectangle.)

AutoZone has repair info with pics of the filter and also a tip for reducing/removing fuel line pressure. (I think the picture said 16mm with a 21mm backup wrench.) I can't tell if you can use long ones or if you have to have special short ones.

Here are the autozone links:
Fuel filter:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/11/dc/0900823d801911dc.jsp (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/11/dc/0900823d801911dc.jsp)

Fuel system pressure relief:
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/20/df/0900823d801920df/repairInfoPages.htm (http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/20/df/0900823d801920df/repairInfoPages.htm)

Fuel line fittings:
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/20/c6/0900823d801920c6/repairInfoPages.htm (http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/20/c6/0900823d801920c6/repairInfoPages.htm)