I was already thinking about that, just means I'll have to go on a cruise to "burn up" some fuel Thanks for the tip, It'll probably be a weekend project... I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

All right!! This thread gives me a pretty good feeling that I can handle this project, And with 108,XXX miles and more than likely the original fuel filter, Probably should be done sooner than later. I'm at a period of maintenance right now, and this seems like a good one to do.

By the way, as soon as I broke the first filter banjo bolt loose, it sprayed me in the face with gasoline. I should have known and feel stupid, so be careful with that. It will definitely help to have a second pair of hands available at the end to muscle down the bottom banjo bolt. Good luck with it.

 

For future reference and for anyone who reads this thread later: If you want to avoid the fuel spraying thing you can take out the fuse for the fuel pump, then turn the car on and let it run until it dies. That will take the pressure off the fuel lines and you won't get sprayed. I elected not to do that because I was always told that it's not good to run fuel injected cars out of gas, but I've seen many people do it with no problems afterwards.

 

without the description, its like you took a picture of a before and after shot you drinking it...

 

LOL. I prolly would have lived about 9 minutes after that.

 

Your beer glass doubles as a cup for nasty *** gasoline?

 

lol nah. That was a 5oz glass I got from the NoVA Brewfest a coupla years ago. It's too small to actually drink a beer out of. I just used it because I figured gasoline would melt the plastic containers I had.

 

should of done it in a styrofoam cup

 

I do this all the time... in fact, after the engine dies I crank the engine another couple of times with the fuse out to deplete more fuel pressure. Otherwise just letting it die still leaves quite a bit of fuel that will get everywhere.

 

I took the "pull down" approach advocated by the OP, hartsoe1, and it was a PITA.

The after market filter was too big in diameter so I got one from the dealer. The price was the same within $2.

Pressure was relieved with gas cap and removing the fuse and trying to start.

I turned the filter with the banjo bolt to break free from the bracket and it turned readily. Than I loosened the banjo bolt and let the gas drain.

The filter would NOT pull down. In hindsight, maybe I should have removed the two lines at the side of the filter which are "bleed lines" or emission control lines.

So, I cut through the bracket. After much pulling with vice grips on the banjo bolt and prying with a screwdriver, it came out.

Then, the new one would not go in, probably due to the two hoses. So, I cut the bracket away. Then it went in with much tapping with a piece of wood and hammer.

I used a radiator hose clamp to hold the filter to the bottom semi-circle on the bracket. There is one position where you can get a screwdriver on the clamp. After it was snug, I could tighten the bottom banjo bolt. No leaks!

In a moment of frustration, I removed one of the strap bolts and it was stripped as reported by someone above. I had to clean up the threads with my tap and die set.

I wonder if I should have used the "drop the tank" method? Any opinions on which is better?

John