2002 Fuel filter change schedule?

[RalphT]

When would be a good time to change the fuel filter? Will a new filter save me from a pump change down the road Because a clogged filter puts stress on the pump, right? Thanks

[gaspig]

I change mine every 12-18 months or 20K as preventative maintenance. If the filter were to be clogged, you would certainly stress the pump. However, the best way to protect the pump is to keep the tank above 1/4 as much as possible. A pump above the gas with a clogged filter would be more subject to over-heating.

[RalphT]

Originally Posted by gaspig

I change mine every 12-18 months or 20K as preventative maintenance. If the filter were to be clogged, you would certainly stress the pump. However, the best way to protect the pump is to keep the tank above 1/4 as much as possible. A pump above the gas with a clogged filter would be more subject to over-heating.

Ok Thanks. I want to change my filter but there is a green thingy (retainer?) in the way from letting me disconnect the filter and I can't get wrenches up under there. I would prefer to find a place to change it because the car is too low to the ground. How about an oil change place like Valvoline? Would they change a fuel filter?

[gaspig]

Originally Posted by RalphT

Ok Thanks. I want to change my filter but there is a green thingy (retainer?) in the way from letting me disconnect the filter and I can't get wrenches up under there. I would prefer to find a place to change it because the car is too low to the ground. How about an oil change place like Valvoline? Would they change a fuel filter?

The green retainer is a quick-connect. Use two wrenches on the other side of the filter - one nut is attached to the filter and the other is a flare nut on the fuel line - don't twist the line when you loosen the connection. Once you have disconnected, move to the other side of the filter and squeeze the tabs on the quick-connect and the filter will release. Make sure you have some rags because you will loose some gas. I always remove the gas cap to to relieve the pressure. You should be able to change the filter yourself with all four wheels on the ground.

[igkyoa]

every 20k??? that seems kinda exessive... i dont know much about fuel filters but it seems like you are probably throwing away brand new ones every 20k...... and even if that does extend the life of your fuel pump i've never had a car that had one go but even if you had to replace it at 100k miles then it cant cost much more than 5 fuel filters... and that 1/4 tank thing seems kinda like a myth...... again i dont really know anything but as an engineer i'm just giving my 2 cents.

[rbrennan]

Originally Posted by igkyoa

every 20k??? that seems kinda exessive... i dont know much about fuel filters but it seems like you are probably throwing away brand new ones every 20k...... and even if that does extend the life of your fuel pump i've never had a car that had one go but even if you had to replace it at 100k miles then it cant cost much more than 5 fuel filters... and that 1/4 tank thing seems kinda like a myth...... again i dont really know anything but as an engineer i'm just giving my 2 cents.

I have a 2003 malibu, I had to have the fuel pump replaced last year right after Hurricane Katrina, my mechanic says to keep at least 1/2 tank gas. I had to replace the rotars today. This makes the second time to replace rotars and had them shaved after the first replacement. I don't drive like a nut, I just think this car is not worth what you pay for or maybe you get what you pay for.

[slls]

I have a 2003 malibu, I had to have the fuel pump replaced last year right after Hurricane Katrina, my mechanic says to keep at least 1/2 tank gas. I had to replace the rotars today. This makes the second time to replace rotars and had them shaved after the first replacement. I don't drive like a nut, I just think this car is not worth what you pay for or maybe you get what you pay for.

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keep 1/2 tank of gas, you mean it's only a 8 gallon tank.

[rbrennan]

Originally Posted by slls

I have a 2003 malibu, I had to have the fuel pump replaced last year right after Hurricane Katrina, my mechanic says to keep at least 1/2 tank gas. I had to replace the rotars today. This makes the second time to replace rotars and had them shaved after the first replacement. I don't drive like a nut, I just think this car is not worth what you pay for or maybe you get what you pay for.

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keep 1/2 tank of gas, you mean it's only a 8 gallon tank.

Yea I thought that was a little much. When I picked my car up on Friday he told me that I would need an intake and valve cover gasket replacement before long a $550 dollar job. He said that the malibu was famous for that and usually it happened before 100,000 miles. Do you think he may be jerking me because I'm a woman!

[bcopeland]

ABSOLUTELY NOT (signed by a man that had the dealer do 2 intake jobs within 72K miles and have done 2 myself on the same car within 170K miles). That sounds about right as far as money goes. They have to take everything off to get to the intakes. You might as well have them check the valves and head gaskets if you can afford it - and have them use the Problem SOlver gaskets - not those average chevy intake gaskets.

[slls]

Yea I thought that was a little much. When I picked my car up on Friday he told me that I would need an intake and valve cover gasket replacement before long a $550 dollar job. He said that the malibu was famous for that and usually it happened before 100,000 miles. Do you think he may be jerking me because I'm a woman!
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Not sure on your intake, a new gasket came out in late 2003, don't know if you have the new style. He is right the intake gasket is a problem with coolant leaking into the oil, it will ruin an engine in short order. His price is right for the repair, not sure you will need it though.