Replacing Fuel Filter Mazda MX-5 NB (2.5) Miata & Service Summary

* * Disconnecting Fuel Lines has the potential to cause serious Personal Injury, as well as being a significant Fire Risk. This is a relatively quick an inexpensive job for a Garage to do for you if you are in any way unsure. I am not a professional/expert, this video merely captures my personal experience and is for entertainment only * *


This video shows me replacing the Fuel Filter on a 2005 Mazda MX-5 NB (Mk. 2.5) UK car, following the 7 step process given in the Haynes Manual. It highlights the snags encountered when undertaking this apparently simple routine maintenance task, as widely reported on many on MX-5 / Miata forums. The key challenge being the ironically named ‘Quick Release’ fuel line fittings which can prove difficult to remove, even with the necessary 5/16th Fuel Line release tool. I concluded that non-genuine fuel filters contribute to the difficulty as the inlet pipe is often shorter than on the original Genuine Mazda filters making inserting the release tool difficult / impossible in some cases.

The official Mazda Service Checklist I have states that the Fuel Filter should be replaced every 54k miles or 72 months (6 years). As the old saying goes: ‘If it’s good enough for the guy who has to pay out on the engine warranty, it’s good enough for me.’ So, I went with a Genuine Mazda Fuel Filter and will stick to their specified change intervals.

Genuine Mazda filters cost about 4 times as much as some non-genuine filters. So, if you are fitting a non-Genuine fuel filter, I would recommend measuring the ‘IN’ pipe on the canister of any filter you are considering. As the photos in the video show, the straight ‘IN’ pipe on the genuine Mazda filter measures 5cm, with the fuel line clip retaining lip being 2.7cm away from the body of the canister. This allows enough space for the release tool to be inserted between the body of the canister and the fuel line connector.

This is the 7 step procedure I followed to complete the job, as detailed in the Haynes Manual:

1. Disconnect the negative battery lead.

2. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support securely on axle stands.

3. Remove the fuel filter cover.

4. Disconnect the fuel hoses from the fuel filter. Be prepared for fuel spillage.

5. Loosen the clamp bolt and remove the old filter.

6. Note that the inlet and outlet pipes are clearly labelled on their respective ends; make sure that the filter is installed in the correct direction.

7. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Be sure to push the fuel lines all the way onto the fittings.

* I did NOT pull the fuel system fuse, merely followed the 7 steps described above *

My conclusion/summary would be that, while it should be a simple task as long as you have the necessary 5/16 Fuel Line / Air Conditioning quick release tool, variables in after market fuel filter design may cause problems.

My key tips would be:

1. Drive the car until the Fuel Tank is very nearly empty to minimise risk.

2. Have a fuel canister with pour spout available and allow residual fuel to drain into it once the first fuel line is disconnected, so you are working dry.

3. Wear eye protection & nitrile gloves.

4. I didn’t pull the fuel system fuse while the engine was running; merely disconnected the battery as the Haynes manual recommends.

Tools & Parts Used - 2005 NB Mk 2.5 (NA’s have different fittings):

x1 Genuine Mazda Fuel Filter BP4W-13-480

x2 Genuine Mazda Fuel Filter Clips E113-42-693

x1 Genuine Mazda Cover Lugs BC 1D-56-145 (pack of 5)

Dry POWDER Fire Extinguisher, suitable for use on Flammable Liquids and live Electrical Fires. Categories A, B & C type fires.

Black Nitrile Gloves.

Splash & Medium Energy Impact at extreme temperature Eye Protection Goggles (Belle).

I hope you find this helpful.

Stay safe!

[just_passing_through]

This video simply serves to remind me of the reason I get all this stuff done by my mechanic. I honestly couldn’t be arsed with all this faffing about, when my mechanic can do it in three minutes flat during regular service.

[andysaxe]

I just checked fuel pressure and used the new fuel filter to get a round the special fittings so I could use hose and clamps. I also used the shipping cap as a tool to remove the fitting. I just cut off the end, split it down the middle, slipped it on and pushed it up- worked excellent.

[daemonlordduffy]

Thankyou. I watched 2 videos before attempting. Both didn't really touch on the hose connections. At 11:30 you explained them well. I squeezed the white collar bits at the mouth of the hose and with a bit of force the hoses came off. left the white parts on though, I had to Philips head those off while having a petrol shower. Lost about 2l on my hair, face and back.

[steveokane]

I am an amateur; only tying to find out where and how to connect the fuel line at the engine end, as I keep smelling petrol when it is parked. Way below your skills, but I watched this anyway as it is such an excellent, well presented, mature and sensible video. And no awful music to distract. Brilliant. If my skills do evolve I feel in safe hands and comfortable in watching any other videos of yours that might be relevant to my issues. Bloody excellent. Thank you. I will now keep googling for the "simple" job. I had hoped the leak might just be a split where the hose goes a nipple or somesuch in the engine, so had envisaged just pulling off the hose, cutting off the split bit, and hopefully still have enough to reconnect it to the engine. IF the plastic clips you mention are at the engine end as well as the filter end then you've already saved me some grief!. !

[manuelalvarediaz]

Excellent video, I also have and MX5 NB and it is a bit challenging do this job, expecially due to my lack of proper tooling.

[nbdcbn]

that is a stupidly clean looking nbfl, my god its paintwork is beautiful. Great video too

[brayanuribe]

Thank you so much for all the detailed information!

[TA-ityx]

Excellent video!
Love your details!
These cars are old and used so before buying the release wrench I'd better first check my 03 SE 6-speed to see if I need it.
Thanks and N-joy the ride!

[drivingvideos]

A neat 5 minute ‘How To’ if you already have mechanical and Health & Safety knowledge 👍

[jamespcooke]

Great video and explanation. Is the fuel tank recommended to be close to empty before proceeding? Also, is the quick connect tool required for reassembly? Shouldn't the connector just slide on and lock into place without the tool?

[maxx]

Where is Step 1: unplug the connecter ? I can’t find it

[kCI]

If you pull the fuel injector fuse, no fuel will be sprayed. You need to pull the fuel PUMP fuse.

[maitremanta]

Hello,
One question about the fuel lines. I also got a mk2.5 and want to swap the fuel filter. I also ordered new fuel line clips which I can directly put on the new fuel filter.
Can the fuel lines be disconnected without the need of this special tool simply by pressing the line together to release the line from the grey clip?
Best regards

[mxodernix]

Where can I get these pliers?
I couldn't find her here in Germany.

[Thisious]

you can easily make a took to remove these clips with an old soda can... just dont cut yourself...