Fuel Filter

[mgs2006]

what are some symptoms that ur fuel filter is bad, and can a novice at cars do it themself? or should i take the car to a tech.. if not then wheres the fuel filter at, and how to take it off etc

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mgs2006

what are some symptoms that ur fuel filter is bad, and can a novice at cars do it themself? or should i take the car to a tech.. if not then wheres the fuel filter at, and how to take it off etc

The fuel filter on any Alero is located underneath behind the fuel tank directly below the trunk. It sits next to the Evaporative Charcoal Cannister. IMO a novice can do it but be careful to relieve the pressure first and watch for gas possibly spraying your eyes. I wear plastic goggles. Part of the filter is threaded into the metal part of the fuel line so you'll need a wrench and the other end has a pinch disconnect where you push in on the two plastics tangs and then pull.

Typical symptoms is the car will stall out or not start. There will be little or no fuel system pressure when tested at the fuel injector rails. A defective fuel pump will give similar symptoms but the fuel filter is the cheapest starting place. Good luck!

[vamc]

bnaylor3400-i agree with you on this one, but also to keep in mind that there will be pressure in the line and gas will spurit out so wear gloves and wear eye protection and have a bucket ready to catch the gas. I beleve you should change your fuel filter about every 1-1/2 years or if you drive your car alot, sooner.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by vamc

bnaylor3400-i agree with you on this one, but also to keep in mind that there will be pressure in the line and gas will spurit out so wear gloves and wear eye protection and have a bucket ready to catch the gas. I beleve you should change your fuel filter about every 1-1/2 years or if you drive your car alot, sooner.

Thats a good point on changing the fuel filter more frequently than waiting or procrastinating and finding out later that the fuel pump went bad as a result or along with a host of other problems. Preventive maintenance is the key to getting long life out of your car.

[vamc]

bnaylor3400-I 100% agree with you on that one. I rather spend 20 bucks then 200bucks. Take it easy. I would hate to change the fuel pump. Its not hard or anything, but its just more involved then i want to do. Like i said before, i agree with you.

[schraubemutter]

Originally Posted by mgs2006

what are some symptoms that ur fuel filter is bad, and can a novice at cars do it themself? or should i take the car to a tech.. if not then wheres the fuel filter at, and how to take it off etc

My '99 Alero came with a fuel filter that lacked plastic tabs for quick release. For a while I feared I would be the proud owner of a four-wheeled paper weight. I loosened the nut on the flared fitting very slightly to relieve fuel pressure. (The car had not been run for quite a few hours, too.) I finally had to saw the other end of the fuel filter off. There is a bell shaped cup with a rolled lip inside. My original fuel filter had four spring loaded expanding fingers that locked it inside the bell shaped cup. I made four small metal tabs. With a sharp pick I lifted each spring loaded finger one by one and slipped a small metal tab under it. When all four were ready, I was able to pull what was left of the fuel filter far enough out to get the ends of the spring loaded fingers past the rounded lip of the bell. Then I removed the metal tabs and pulled out what was left of the old filter. I often wondered how Mr. Goodwrench removes those. Thankfully, the new fuel filters all use the plastic quick release tabs.