'99 Malibu fuel filter replacement.....how?

[Arkhog]

I have located the fuel filter, I think, on my son's 1999 Malibu with the 2.4 liter engine. One end seems to be threaded and held in place by a nut. No problem. The other end doesn't have a thread, that I can see, or a nut. I don't see a clip of any sort.

If I am right about the threaded end, would someone please tell me how to disconnect and reconnect the other end.

Thanks

[bearcatdon]

The other end is held in by a plastic retainer. If you have the black OEM version the four slots in the plastic are the locking clips. There must be a tool to remove that end by depressing all four clips simultaneously. I didn't have one when I did my filter so I used brut force and broke one of the clips. A tool would be highly recommended. The aftermarket clip has 2 tabs that need depressing and is a lot easier.

[Arkhog]

Thanks for the reply. I am stumped. My version doesn't seem to have anything that looks like a clip. I don't see anything that looks like the OEM setup that you described or the aftermarket one either.

It almost looks like a compression fitting. The type used on water connections. Odd.

[moon03]

just going by memory but the fuel filter I got a Kragen was the same as the one on the car. I believe it only had 2 clips and I just un screwed the threaded end and squeezed the clips and it slid right off. my Malibu is a 2000 with a 3.1 L and may be different

[slls]

I would say someone has been there and installed there own set up.

[moon03]

Autozone - componet location for the fuel filter no picture of filter but location is.
Under vehicle, driver side, below seating area, front of fuel tank, mounted on chassis in fuel line
look at the picture of the filter on KRAGEN -or another parts supplier the one end has a female thread and the other a tube with a plastic fitting that has two plastic retainers similar to what electric connectors have they squeeze together and you pull the filter off - its possible an after market filter has been added but that filter I would bet is still there even if another was added, it would be more trouble than its worth to modifUnder vehicle, driver side, below seating area, front of fuel tank, mounted on chassis in fuel liney the original setup

[Arkhog]

Thanks for the replies guys. The fuel filter on this car is in the strangest place. It is in the rear center of the car under the trunk. I kid you not. I know this for a fact because it looks exactly like this:



I did a search at Kragen and found the exact AC Delco filter that is installed on the car. I just don't know how to disconnect the non-threaded end.

[moon03]

compress the tabs Use plyers if needed - they are close to the body of the filter you should have gotten a new plastic piece with the filter

what may help is clamp the rubber hose so it won't leak. remove the threaded end and drop the filter down (catch the gas) might be easier to see.

[slls]

Originally Posted by Arkhog

Thanks for the replies guys. The fuel filter on this car is in the strangest place. It is in the rear center of the car under the trunk. I kid you not. I know this for a fact because it looks exactly like this:



I did a search at Kragen and found the exact AC Delco filter that is installed on the car. I just don't know how to disconnect the non-threaded end.

How about a pix of your fitting.

[Arkhog]

Thanks for sticking with me guys.

My digital camera (Canon) broke a few months ago and I never replaced it. Otherwise, I would gladly share a pic of my fitting. I still don't see any clips. Oh, well. I may end up taking it to a shop. If they ruin the fitting it will be on them.

[moon03]

h**p://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=4&ptset=A&searchfor=Fuel +Filter

I know live links are bad news but this is a link to Kragen Auto, 1999 Malibu fuel filters it shows the plastic fitting. copy past and change the ** to tt
I am going to assume you bought one without a new plastic fitting and will need to remove the old one and reuse it or get a filter with the plastic fitting

or go to the on line site for a parts house and if they have a picture of one with a fitting click on it and get an enlarged picture.

the latch is an internal latch so squeeze the tabs and pull away from the hose.
or go to a parts house and look at a filter with the fitting. I was looking and Kragen has 5 different filters that fit your car some with the fitting some without the fitting works like a cloths pin you swueeze the end and the other end opens EXCEPT the latch is on the end you squeeze on the outside so when you squeeze the latch gets smaller and pulls out.
one trip to your parts house ,Autozone,Kragen, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc. and your problem is solved, I have listed parts stores that I have gone to and have never had a problem looking at a part that they sell.
if all else fails go to a Chevy Dealer's Parts desk and ask to see the part on his system drawing , then have him print it for you. again I have done this without buying anything and you can see how it looks on the car.

[cj15]

So it is a couple months later and I had to fight the same problem. My 2001 Chevy Malibu fuel filter is difficult to remove. The connector is a little different than described above, but enough so that I though to tell how I removed it. The only people who care are you who searched to find this.

The hose from the fuel pump ends at the fuel filter with a green plastic "quick disconnect." The quick did not work for me, so I finally figured out to a) open the green clip by flexing its retainer back a little and pulling the clip surface down toward the ground, and b) push the entire green plastic structure up and through the hose-end structure. On its way out the fuel filter could finally be extracted.

Finally, the newly purchased fuel filter's white clip had to be removed (it was slightly too wide) and the original green clip reused. I had to insert the green clip part way, stick in the fuel filter, then push the green clip structure all the way in.

[Reg Saretsky]

HI:
Planning near future replacement of the filter on my 1999 MALIBOU. Is it feasible to cut the hose just behind the clips, & use a good old fashioned Trico fuel line clamp?
I feel that the GM fitting will wear & leak after time& miliage. Like most GM fittings...make that all GM fittings..

[moon03]

Originally Posted by Reg Saretsky

HI:
Planning near future replacement of the filter on my 1999 MALIBOU. Is it feasible to cut the hose just behind the clips, & use a good old fashioned Trico fuel line clamp?
I feel that the GM fitting will wear & leak after time& miliage. Like most GM fittings...make that all GM fittings..

I think the problem might occur with the hose being to short. I havent had any leaks in any of my fittings coolant or fuel. but you can always drop the tank and put on a longer fuel hose if needed. or splice a piece tothe existing but then you use 3 clamps.

[Reg Saretsky]

Originally Posted by moon03

I think the problem might occur with the hose being to short. I havent had any leaks in any of my fittings coolant or fuel. but you can always drop the tank and put on a longer fuel hose if needed. or splice a piece tothe existing but then you use 3 clamps.

measure first cut later?