96mAx2fast

iTrader: (2)

Hi, im thinking about changing the fuel filter my self on my 5spd SE. I can see it but its in an akward position. Can i access it from the top or the bottom?! I already bought it and now have no choice. Also, what can i use if the hoses are too tight or too hard? HELP!!! All tips welcome!!!

VIP Maxima

check how to's. the write up is there. its simple and easy.

Dubbya

iTrader: (16)

If the hoses are stuck to the filter try twisting them to break em loose. I had to end up cutting the bottom hose. There is enough slack to do this once.

orleanzmax

iTrader: (8)

yeah its pretty simple. just a little difficult because you have little room to work with.just take your time.

montwalker2001

I did mine myself on my 97 auto SE,its simple you need a short stubby (screw driver) you can get one from an autoparts store,the one I got has changeable heads like phillips,flat,hex head.

VIP Maxima

first u need to remove the fuel pump fuse and start up the car till it dies so that u can release the fuel pressure.

http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/fuelfilter.html

96mAx2fast

iTrader: (2)

Hopefully, I wont screw this up!!! Thanks for the support. I will give it a shot prob this weekend coming up

Tim96I30t

iTrader: (2)

Remove top screw and then let it hang down, and finish it under the car.

Bobo

Remove your gas cap when you are replacing the fuel filter.

nosispower

Is there a specific reasoning for this?

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

^ release with ever pressure might be left over.

Vlasic

iTrader: (13)

You can do it from on top of the car, no need to get underneath. I too had to cut one of the hoses when I changed mine.

kbmaxima

iTrader: (11)

definitely pull the fuel fuse and relieve some of the pressure. remove everything up to the TB. i got the bottom hose off fairly easy, then it was just the top hose hanging onto the fuel filter. I pushed down on it and fell right to the floor.

fyi:: have some cardboard/rags underneath the car by chance you still have fuel inside the filter that will spill out. wear rubber gloves as well, for protection and grip. it's easy, no sweat

Kevo268

I replaced my feul filter not too long ago and its not that bad. My knuckles got banged up a little but that heals. The only problem i ran into was putting the hoses back on the new filter. for me it was a lot easier to pull em off than it is to push the rubber hoses back on. I could only get the top hose back on about half an inch.

Nissan 6

Changing this IMO was a PITA.

Business810

iTrader: (6)

on having something under the car to catch any spills and wearing gloves. Even after removing the fuse and cranking to relieve pressure, I still spilled a couple of ounces of gasoline when I got the hoses off mine.

It's not that hard, it's just a tight space with little room to work in.

Ka$hThaRipper

iTrader: (15)

take off your fstb & intake/airbox, it will give u a lot more room to work with

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

I never do this and still manage to not make a mess.

The best way I've found to get the hoses off is to crimp (crush) the old filter hose barbs with pliers since it's the old filter and you wont need it anymore. They come off very easily after this is done.

aznprid972

iTrader: (26)

Good idea NmexMAX... I'll have to try that the next time I do mine.

Very important to pull that fuse and start it acouple of times. Also unscrew the gas cap to relieve the pressure as well (I didn't do this but I wish I did)

This is a fairly easy maintance to do and getting the hoses off is like 75% of the work.

Trajiksmax

I've replaced my fuel filter twice. PITA, but the show must go on.

jvienneau

It makes a big difference if you have anti-lock brakes as the controller is in the way if you do.

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Dude, relax a little. You are screaming about something you haven't even started yet. By all the exclamations, I thought you were in the middle of the job and you ran across a million roadblocks but you had to get your car back together in half an hour for a date with a 110 lb blonde with a size D chest. Good grief.

Search/read FAQs before asking somehting that has been discussed a hundred times.

96mAx2fast

iTrader: (2)

LOL.. Thanks coach!!!

Guys, thanks for all the tips. I will do it this week.

Black Maxima

I did it...It was a BIIIIYATCH.

Motorhead52

**MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE - SIDE OF THE BATTERY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING FUEL RELATED! **

Like has been mentioned earlier, the toughest part is removing the top and bottom hoses. After removing the clamps, The key to doing this is to grasp the filter, then use some needle nose plies to grasp the end of a hose. Twist the filter until it can turn without turning the hose (seal is broken), then the hose comes off easily. If you try to just remove the hose without twisting it first, well, your in for a

Have some extra hose clamps ready as well, as old clamps tend to self-destruct when they are removed. I did mine yesterday, with a fire extinguisher within arms reach and the phone to dial 911 if need be. Gas is dangerious as hell and there is no reason to suffer excessivly if there is a sudden explosion and fire and your arm is inside 3 feet of engine compartment.

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Na, that's a little too paranoid, if you ask me. I don't even see the point of disconnecting the battery. I would however, releive the fuel pressure. That's important.

MaximaEvolution

iTrader: (2)

well then u shouldnt be smokin while changin the filter

gas can be very dangerous but i wouldnt worry about ur car bein engulfed in flames if all ur doin is changin the filter

Black Maxima

...oh yea and if you have chubby arms/hands you will NOT be able to do it...

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Not to brag or anything, but the job is 10 times easier with an SC installed (vs. stock intake).

Motorhead52

I would disconnect simply because it only takes a dropped tool to fall on the starter and create a spark. Gas vapours ignite easily, fast and burn very hot, i usually take every precaution. Changing a filter might sound very routine, but dont underestimate the danger of gas. A few moments of my time to save a lot of trouble. But its your ride and your life.

Ka$hThaRipper

iTrader: (15)

i had gotten the top hose off, and had to turn the filter to the side a lil to get the bottom one off...my forearm got drenched in fuel in the process

97SEdriver

iTrader: (3)

I took off my tb, and intake, that was the only way I could get my hands in there to take the fuel filter off. It made it much easier to re-install the fuel filter with the tb off. I went and bought the Z filter, pep boys were out of maxima ones, I know some guys claim this is a "mod" but none the less it works fine.

DaBlackMaxx

I know this is gonna sound dumb but.....will this help wit gas milage and overall performance of the car?? And where exactly is it located??

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Depends on how clogged it is.
Firewall just under and to the left (when facing the engine) of the brake master cylinder.

motocross416

iTrader: (6)

all you need is a flat head screw driver to pry the hoses off the old filter. I've done it on two maxima's so far, with and without abs. Its changing a fuel filter, it really fairly easy, just do it.

96mAx2fast

iTrader: (2)

I'll let ya'll know how I make out. If I dont post before sunday, that means I blew up!!!! lol

scrhale

There is a tool at my auto zone that is meant to pull the fuel lines away from ... might want to invest the 5 bucks and save an hour of struggle. I did it in a UGA parking lot ... got sprayed by the back pressure because I didn't open the gas cap. Don't make the same mistake.

svetlin55

make a picture or tel me more about that hose puller

96mAx2fast

iTrader: (2)

Ok. Finally Done!!! I only used a philips screw driver to remove the screw on the clamp. Afterwards, I used a flat head to pry off the hoses alittle. They were a PITA to take off. I just got mad and used my brutal strength to twist them off. Twisten them while pulling them helped alot. I didnt remove my fsb or my intake. I just squeezed in there. Alittle bit of gas slowly came out of the filter when i removed it but that was it. I removed the fuse, cranked it dead and then removed the gas cap. Thanks for all the help guys..

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

I find it's easiest to use a pair of slip-joint pliers on the loose setting to help twist the hoses off.

for disconnecting the battery!