90 Lumina Fuel Filter Trouble...

[benquayle]

I basically am just using this car as a beater right now. I bought the car with a blown head gasket, so basically the whole engine has been rebuilt. All the gaskets are new and everything. I noticed a drop in fuel economy the other week and took a look at my fuel filter. I noticed it was a tad rusty and that the lines up to it and fron it were a tad rusty also. I dont want to have to replace the lines at all, so my question is how do i get the old fuel filter off without ruining the lines. The filter itself if a screw on, so it has threads on both sides. I figure I can put a wrench on the part of the line with the nut and the end of the old filter to get it loose, but by loosening one side am i not then tightening the otherside making it almost tear the line?

[richtazz]

Hold the filter with one wrench, and turn the line with another. Use a good quality spray penatrant, like PB Blaster or Break Away (WD-40 is useless as a rust breaker) to insure they come apart.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by benquayle

I basically am just using this car as a beater right now. I bought the car with a blown head gasket, so basically the whole engine has been rebuilt. All the gaskets are new and everything. I noticed a drop in fuel economy the other week and took a look at my fuel filter. I noticed it was a tad rusty and that the lines up to it and fron it were a tad rusty also. I dont want to have to replace the lines at all, so my question is how do i get the old fuel filter off without ruining the lines. The filter itself if a screw on, so it has threads on both sides. I figure I can put a wrench on the part of the line with the nut and the end of the old filter to get it loose, but by loosening one side am i not then tightening the otherside making it almost tear the line?

It seems you aren't aware that the threaded part on the line itself spins independantly of the line once broken loose. You turn the line fitting, not screw the filter off the line. Once you break on side loose, you'll see what's happening.

I have the best luck putting the two wrenches (or a wrench and a vice grip) on the filter and line so that they are maybe 15 degrees apart or so, and just squeeze them together, allowing you to put more force into it than trying to hold one side stationary and break the other one loose, see? The one that's supposed to turn (the line fitting) will turn as soon as it is free.

Keeps you from banging your fist into something when the fitting breaks free, too.