Need to take drastic measures

[fender5]

Ok so as you can see i was workiong on trying to get the fuel filter replaced (see link) http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=551112 and ive lost all hope, the top bolt was hard enough to get off but i eventually did with a little help from PB Blaster. The bottom bolt on the other hand might as well be welded on. I soaked it with PB Blaster overnight and it moved a little this morning but now i cant get it to either loosen or tighten back. The bolt is started to get rounded and stripped and even with the flare wrench i cant get the bastard to move. Im thinking (advice please) about draining the fuel tank and then cutting of the filter, and drilling and re-threading the bolt. Ive run out of ideas, so any ideas? and if i should drain the tank how do i go about doing that.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

[david-b]

You shouldn't be having those kind of problems. IDk what the deal is there. Easy way to empty the tank is to run it dry...

[E-Klips]

Cut the fuel line with a pipe cutter (no need to drain the fuel tank). Take the fuel filter out, makes it a lot easier to work with, then when you are ready to put it back on.. Use a compression fitting to connect the line again. If you need to get a new line, go to napa or some other parts store and just cut the line off close to the fitting screwed into the fuel filter and repace with a new line.

[gthompson97]

Don't cut the fuel line, I had to replace mine one time and you have to get it through the dealer and it was over $100 for a short 9" line. Although it was on a 420a and not a 1.8, it'd still probably be expensive. I had a bitch of a time getting my fuel filter bolts out. If you're starting to round them off, use a vice-grip to get them off and then replace just the bolt instead of the whole line. You'll also probably need some copper washers.

[E-Klips]

Cutting it wont hurt anything. Its just a steel line that can easily be fixed with a compression fitting. Thats the only way he is going to be able to get the fuel filter out of the car for him to have enough leverage to get the pipe fitting out of the fuel filter. Trust me, I've had to do this before on my car and a couple customers. Plus, if you ever repace the fuel filter again, just take off one side of the compression fitting and you can take the fuel filter out of the car and get at the flare line fitting that is threaded into the fuel filter.

If he keeps wrenching on the fitting inside the car, he is most likely going to kink the fuel line and have to cut it anyways.

[gthompson97]

Well then the 1.8s are quite a bit different. I had to replace a high-pressure line and it was NOT cheap.

[fender5]

Update:

I went and cut the line below the bolt with a Dremel. Had to take to wrecher wrench to the bolt to get it off so i cant use the bolt again. I have a flare making kit thing so thats not a problem but there is nowhere around here that sells metric flare fittings. Napa=no, Dealers(honda, nissan, toyota)=no, Pepboys=no, home depot=no, so i have to go to Northridge to a specialty shop to get the damn 3$ flare fitting. GRRRRRR. This car is going to be the death of me.