Fuel Filter Change - How to

[RalphT]

I have a 2002 Malibu. This may or may not apply to your late model Bu. I had to write this. With all the advice on this board I just needed to get it all out and help some people. As you might have guessed I just got done replacing my original AC Delco fuel filter at 60K miles on my 2002 Malibu. Just a few words of advice about how to tackle this job for those who want to do it because it's not easy and it's not hard either.

1) First you need to purchase a new filter, no problem AutoZone has them for about $10. When you get it remove the white plastic retainer part.

2) Next you need to grab two wrenches that will fit the threaded new and old filter (should be the same size). No problem with my Craftsman open end set.

3) Start the car.

4) Pop the hood and remove the fuel pump relay with the car running. (It's located under the fuse panel). The engine will die in a few seconds.

5) Remove the fuel rail service valve cap on the passenger side of the engine intake manifold and depress the valve to bleed off any residual fuel pressure. Do this for about one minute. Use goggles or face away from fuel spray before you do this!

6) With a flashlight (or preferably a shop light) crawl on your back and get up underneath the rear of the gas tank. You need to enter head first in front of the left rear wheel. It's tight! Hope your not claustrophobic!

7) Stop for a while and look around and get acustomed to the parts up under there. You will notice that the fuel filter is high up in there. It is obstructed by a rectangular box thingy. This is the emmissions canister and needs to be removed by backing out the bolt on the left side of it. When the bolt is out it will fall down vertically when dislogged from the retainer on the right. (Yeah I forgot you needed a socket and wrench)

8) Now on the fuel filter flip up the green retainer locking tab with a fingernail or flat screwdriver and push the green retainer across to the other side so it disengages from the round outlet of the old filter. It will almost come out completely but it wont. (If you are finding this green retainer tricky then ask here in the forum) It is tricky if you don't know how the green retainer works.

9) Back away from the fuel line and remove the fuel line from the old filter and tip the old filter down slightly. Some fuel will come out for about 5 minutes. Get a rag handly and don't smoke.

10) Use your wrenches and remove the threaded end.

11) Installation is the reverse of removal. Make sure the threaded end is snug but not too tight. Don't forget to put back in the canister (it engages a hook on the opposite side of the canister where the bolt goes back in).

12) Clean up tools, replace fuel rail cap, fuel relay and start her up. Check for leaks.

The hardest part of the whole proceedure is finding a suitable place to get under the vehicle. Again I found it is in front of the drivers side rear tire. If your filter is rusted then let it soak in WD-40 for about one hour.

The second hardest part is getting the green retainer figured out and pushed back. The third hardest part was getting the threaded end of the filter off. Use locking pliers as needed.

My experience with this fuel filter change has been positive. The car starts up immediately. Before it would crank for about three seconds before it would start. I would say the filter was almost clogged. Wide open throttle performance is much better as well. I noticed my last 1/4 tankful of gas tank went quickly. In a few miles the computer should relearn and all should be well.

Enjoy!

[tractorboy]

thank you for posting that, it was needed.
I would like to add one other item. GM or Chevrolet always stresses when working on the fuel lines to be as sanitary as possible. That means clean off ALL the connections, even at the filter, preferably with compressed air also.

[tractorboy]

you know I don't think pulling the relay out while the car is running is such a good idea. More than likely the relay is solid state and even if it were electro mechanical the support circuitry connected to it is, like possibly the ECM. Most solid state electronics are CMOS and can be damaged by static discharge or by plugging or unplugging while the power is on, sometimes it just weakens them to fail latter, like when you are making a left hand turn in front of a tractor trailer. GM recommends unplugging the fuel pump , then starting the car and running dry. Possibly remove the relay for the fuel pump with power off would do the same.