How To: Replace Your Vehicle's Fuel Filter

Changing your vehicle's fuel filter is not a job easily performed on every vehicle. There are different ways that your vehicle's fuel line can be connected to the filter and different places that the fuel filter can be located. It's important to look at your manufacturer's specifications for your vehicle and it's fuel filter placement before performing this DIY job.

Supplies Needed for This Job:

0:00 Welcome Back
0:29 Fuel Filter Tips
0:50 Remove the Fuel Pump Fuse
1:00 Start Your Engine
1:17 Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable
1:29 Move a Drain Pan In Place
2:00 Remove the Old Filter
2:43 Install the New Filter
3:25 Reattach the Fuel Pump Fuse
3:30 Reconnect the Negative Cable
3:43 Start Your Engine
3:53 Check For Leaks

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Transcript:
A couple tips before we get started: changing your fuel filter when you’re down to less than a quarter tank of fuel will make removing pressure from the fuel line easier. Also, make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area so combustible fumes don’t accumulate.

We can recommend a professional technician in your area if you’re not completely comfortable doing the job yourself, but if you are, here’s what you’ll do:

[Hood open]
• First, you need to remove pressure from the fuel line. So remove your fuel pump fuse or relay. In this case, the relay is under the hood.
[Inside vehicle]
• Start your engine and allow it to idle until it stalls. This may trigger your Check Engine Light.
• Once it stalls, crank the engine again for about 5 seconds to release fuel pressure. This should relieve most of the pressure, but there could still be a little fuel that squirts or leaks when you detach the filter.
• Turn the ignition back to the OFF position.
[Under hood]
• Now, disconnect the battery ground cable, marked with a minus sign. Set it to the side and make sure it isn’t touching anything metal.
• Raise and support your vehicle. In this case, we’ll be working in the rear.
[Under car]
• Once you’ve located the filter, push the release buttons on either side that are holding it in place. Your model may have clips that require a quick-release tool or screwdriver to detach from the line. Be careful not to kink your fuel lines as you detach the filter—this can cause leaks.
• It may be helpful to push the line into the filter while you’re trying to loosen the clips.
• Have a drain pan of some kind in place under the filter to catch any fuel that’s left in the line or filter when you detach them. It’s also a good idea to have some rags handy. Some vehicles will leak continually until everything is reassembled.
• Used automotive fluids are toxic and harmful to the environment and people. Used fuel is considered hazardous waste, so we can’t recycle it in our stores. Most communities have hazardous waste collection sites, so we suggest visiting your city or county website for details.
• Loosen the clamp… then disconnect the fuel line fittings… and remove the filter.
• Your old filter may or may not have an arrow indicating the direction fuel is flowing, but the new one should. The direction of fuel flow will always be toward the front of the vehicle.
• Now, you’ll install the new filter. These are a few of the possible types of fittings you could see. Use the fittings that came with the filter to attach it to the fuel line… and secure the clamp to hold it in place.
[Under hood]
• Reinstall the fuel pump relay or fuse… and reattach the negative battery cable.
[Inside vehicle]

[kevinjunior]

Not all filters have ends like that. Some are nut fittings. And if you have that style beware there are seals inside the nuts. Some don't come with any when you buy new, so when reusing them be very careful not to damage them or they'll leak.

[derekcleffi]

Just throw the “hazardous fuel” into your lawn mower

[humblewarrior]

The BEST Demo Ive seen Yet on changing the Fuel Filter. Thanks a BUNCH !!!...God Bless Yall !!!

[terrycordell]

Thank you you tube . That makes my job a lot easier

[terrycordell]

Thank you you tube, that made my job so unstressful.

[Sunsetschano]

How can you start the car when you pull fuel relay first??? I thought after you start engine then u disconnect the relay then the battery. Also open up gas cap.

[dariusstack]

Video very helpful plus help save time n 💰 💪💪💪💪

[christopherbrent-chase]

Tmi I just want to know how to remove the fuel filter off of a vehivle with no fuel in it.

[moshewakatelutiw]

Does in on a filter mean into the filter or into the engine?

[chadhoskinson]

I wouldn’t say fuel ‘always’ flows to front. What about a VW with engine in rear?

[Astrovite]

I'm having trouble with a nut style fuel filter on a 98 camry. I went to unscrew the old one and accidentally twisted the IN line. I've bought 2 replacement ends so far but neither fit. It almost seems like the end is supposed to be like a needle. But the one's I've found have been a nut under a flat opening with an o ring on it.

I'm almost tempted to cut the old filter off (I'm going to have to anyways) just to see what I actually need. Because I can't find a straight answer.

[jonniebarron]

How to change the filter on a Saturn view 06

[sparky]

Always towards the front? Need to keep in mind where the engine and fuel tank are located. Front tank and mid/year engine or mid engine with the tank in front of the engine behind the driver etc. the direction of flow is going to be different.

[mikemiller]

BS... I bought my filter for my 02 sable and it came with clip that don’t even come close to fitting to secure the gas lines to my filter I bought from you.
I decided to go to the dealer and bought a filter and it had clips that fit just fine,
The filter from the dealer was actually cheaper than the oreilly filter and it actually worked perfectly.

Look at the other videos were people purchased filter from an after market part supplier like oreilly and had to buy clips or modify them to work

[bradleypizzola]

I have never unhooked the battery or none of that I just take it off and install

[multimargejta]

I did that...car started for 2 mins and then died and I cant turn it on back again please help!

[nixonnixon]

And what about air in new filter? Air will flow to the engine and then engine stops and you wont be able to run again. How do you release air? Can somebody explain to us? Thanks :-D

[russelstutts]

W where is the filter located on a 2008 Nissan Sentra

[luisbo]

So when should someone change their fuel filter?

[AC-gurg]

Im trying to locate the fuel filter on my 2011 mazda tribute 2.5 liter engine its not right out in the open like some people are saying , ive spent 2 hours looking for this thing, can you please help, thank you