Advice for fuel filter change.. so fuel wont spill EVERYWHERE?

[LordJezo]

Changed my filter a few days ago and when I disconnected the hoses fuel went everywhere! Anyone have any advice on how to prevent this sort of thing from happening, or, do I just need to somehow be fast enough to catch all the gas, or, do I just expect to have a fuel bath every time I change the filter?

[curtis73]

You don't say what the vehicle is but I'll try to make a general reply. If its an EFI vehicle, make sure the vehicle is off for at least 12 hours before attempting this. That will give the pressure time to leak back through the pump. If its a frame-mounted filter on a carbureted car, the fuel line is lower than the tank and will flow quite well when disconnected. Just pull one line at a time and cover it with your thumb. Yes you'll get gas up to your armpits; no it won't hurt you. If its a carbureted engine and the filter is in the carb, first wait about 3-4 hours and don't disconnect when the weather is too hot unless you want a gasoline bath. Even then, gas will siphon out of the fuel bowl(s) and you'll need a rag on the intake to catch it.

Any way you look at it; carb or EFI, gravity plus pressure, plus temperature, plus a very free-flowing liquid make it impossible to keep yourself clean. Just yesterday I replaced two sections of gas hose in a 73 Impala Wagon and had gas on my hands, arms, ground, and shoes. I also come home every day looking like I took a grease and dirt bath so its of very little consequence to me. In fact I welcome it. Wherever the gas flows down my arm is clean.

[LordJezo]

Originally Posted by curtis73

You don't say what the vehicle is but I'll try to make a general reply.

Oh! Sorry! It's a 2003 Impala LS.

[curtis73]

Cool. Then your problem is probably that tricky efficient fuel pump Next time let it sit overnight to let the pressure bleed off. Some folks have successfully reversed the polarity of the fuel pump to pull the pressure off, but some pumps don't do well with that little trick. The cheaper pumps have little threads on the impeller that keep it on the shaft. Since it only operates on one direction, it never comes off. Running it in reverse can just buzz the little wheel off and you now have no pump. Bummer.

[autoforum]

What really helps is any kind of manual, even like a Hayne's. It will tell you how to relieve the fuel pressure in a few moments. You'll always get a little fuel on you, but hardly any if you follow the depressurizing instructions and have a coffee can and rag ready when you finally disconnect it.

[Master Tech Dude]

There is a very small valve at one end of the fuel injector rail normally used for testing fuel pressure that you can access by removing the cap as you would a tire valve stem and with a rag wrapped around this valve and a very small screw driver in hand you can depress the pintle and let off the residual pressure.
Do this only on a cold engine, not while running (Duh), and with your safety glasses on...and put that cigarette out before you start..(Double Duh!)

Change the filter and carry on.

[WGP]

Originally Posted by Master Tech Dude

There is a very small valve at one end of the fuel injector rail .... depress the pintle and let off the residual pressure.

Great Tip!! Thanks!!