Sorry to resurrect an old thread and bad memories!
I made a go at my fuel filter. No luck! I thought that armed with the knowledge and experience from the multiple threads I read here; I would at least be able to git er done. Nope! I mutilated 2 of those fuel line disconnect tools. I bent the old fuel filter to heck. I think I'm giving up! I'm thinking of trying one of those jiffy lube type places to see how much they charge. Anyone in the Ft. Worth area know the cheapest place to have this done?

 

well I know in my case you have to push the line towards the filter while pushing the tool into the line?and sometimes it helps to spray in the line with a cleaner or wd-40 to remove dirt and debris-just thought this might help-under no means should you have to pull extremely hard or pry with a tool to remove the lines-that is when the retaining clips inside become damaged and then the major problems start-seems to be hard if the filter has not been changed in a long time.

 

I did try this. I had read it from an earlier thread, plus it just seemed logical. I think part of the problem is the removal tool is not long enough, and/or it does not extend over the raised parts on the filter nipple.

 

If you try what I did and actually cut through the filter the tool works alot better. If all depends how commited you want to get to this project. Once you cut it you are out of commision until you complete it.

It is obviously a poor design or we wouldn't have this much activity on this topic.

All we can offer you is best of luck and try to not get discouraged. I think in all I had about 5 hours in replacing that filter. That includes going to the store to buy new retaining clips as mine fell out as I was doing it.

 

Well I called around to the quick oil change places to find out how much they would charge to change my fuel filter. I got from $10.00 to $40.00 with me bringing my own filter. I settled on the closest place (kwik Kar lube and tune) for $20.00. They have done good work on my ex-wifes minivan. The guy knew what he was doing, and let me come below and watch. He works on cars on the side for a hobby, so I trusted his experience. Well he had trouble as well! I ended up helping him get one of the ends off. We might have found a trick that I did not read here. The trick is to get the removal tool in the line, then while holding the tool in the line; pull and twist. He did the pulling, and I did the twisting; and it came off! My truck has 167,000 miles on it, and it appears the filter has never been changed until now. A lot of dirty gas came out of the filter when tipping it to drain it. My truck is a 5.0 2wd 3.31 rear end Auto, and I get 13.17 mpg pretty consistently. I just recently did a tune up except for Distributor cap and rotor (which is next) and the fuel filter, and hoping the filter change helps; as others have posted here. Good luck to the next person who tries this filter for the first time! I have changed many fuel filters on other vehicles before, and have finished them all under 30 minutes without problems, and this is/was by far the hardest!

 

run some seafoam through the tank.

 

yea i got to change mine too got the replacement with the clip inserts as discussed. didnt notice if mine is bad but ill definately used my electrican pliers to cut them. what size disconnect any1 know off hand?

 

5/16 or 3/8

 

thanks i got it off with the pliers but like an idiot didnt pay attention to the front of them and kinda crimped the fitting i was lucky this time as there arent any leaks go patriots