radicht

I am trying to change the fuel filter on my 97 max, but am having a hell of a time pulling the hoses off (I believe that it is the original oil filter). I started the car, and then removed the fuse for the fuel pump. Then I tried to start the car about 5 times (5 seconds each). I removed the top and bottom clamps. However, when I try to pull the top hose off, it will not budge. Is there a trick or some kind of solution I can use that will loosen the hose for me?

plate

iTrader: (2)

No trick. Just lots of patience. Keep gently squeezing and
pulling the fuel hose, it will come out.
Even with depressurization there will be a good
amount of fuel in the filter so be prepared when
you take the bottom hose off.

You're gonna love putting them back on.

whitemax21

I have read that some people actually break the neck off of the filter, since you won't be using it anyway. Then, you can take some needle nose pliers and remove the broken piece from the hose. Or, if you have enough extra hose, you could cut as close as possible to the old filter.

98maximagle

I used a short flat screwdriver to pry the hose off the old filter

Maxima880

Like everything on the Max it's hell to get to. Took me twenty minutes to change my PVC valve today. That's my single complaint about this car - everything is blocked or covered by something else.

maxima775t

iTrader: (1)

When I had to get the brake booster line off to use Seafoam, I used a pair of needlenose pliers to grip the end of the hose and slowly but firmly move it back and forth, kind of scootching it off. It's slow, but works nicely and does no damage.

sky jumper

man you need to try working on a GM or Ford product. we 4th genners are lucky. how many transverse mounted V6s out there give you free access to the rear bank spark plugs?? every time I work on this car I marvel at how well the engine bay was planned out. of course I have not had to change the KS yet...

Pieps

just wait for that KS, hope you have some small hands

Maxima880

Yea your right, I've got to admit that while quarters are usually tight the engineering is such that the job can be done. I remember certain cars in the 70s that it was impossible to access one spark plug. You either had to torch a hole through a fender well or lift the motor out to get at it. The Max is the best engineered vehicle i've owned and that number is around 20 now. By the way, I've done the knock sensor - it wasn't so bad.

speed racer

iTrader: (10)

Use a needle nose plier and start twisting the fuel filter while the hose is clamped. This will release some pressure and will make it easier to pull off. Just be patient and keep pulling while twisting.

ThurzNite

iTrader: (13)

werd on speed racer. Needle nose clamped onto the rubber with right hand, left hand holdin filter, and torque back and forth to break it free, then loosen the plier grip and pull while twisting. Takes a few min. To get the bottom, hold the hose w/left hand, right hand holds filter and twist. Same concept.

Or, after getting the top hose off, drop the filter down below and work from under. I've done both ways, and prefer doing it from above. 10min job, go to it. Good luck, and don't inhale the gas. Be sure to clean any spilled gas.

Jae

Kolyan

i had hard time too and thought that it was impossible.......my roomate pulled it so hard that it came off the same second

Pieps

just make sure that you depressurize the system as much as you can. I changed mine and i had gas leak all over the place. Just have a rag handy like the sticky says, it will come into play.

flynlr

iTrader: (2)

I have big hands when i did mine blood everywhere but after done cuts healed and all was well

Turbo1er

iTrader: (1)

WTF? Just get the Ebay fuel chip!

nhaven

I applied a little bit of WD40 to the "neck" of the filter when there was a little bit of separation between the neck and the hose. It made the job of twisting and pulling and pushing a lot easier.

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

I am not looking forward to doing this again.

Juicey

I'm not looking forward to doing it at all by the sounds of things.

I've owned GM cars and my last GM I actually had to turn the wheels and go in under the right wheel well to get to the oil filter. Maxima's are 100 times easy to fix and work on.

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

Wait till you water pump goes out, and you contemplate doing it yourself .

toddemullins

iTrader: (10)

Speaking of fuel filters, does anyone know the part number for the 300ZX fuel filter that guys are putting on thier 4th gen Maximas? I'm planning on replacing mine very soon and need to buy one. Or is it a waste to use the 300 filter? I'd do a search and find a thread, but I'm a noob to the forum.

maximus_96

iTrader: (5)

i used a z filter. i just bought it for a 96 year Z for no real reason. it fits the hoses and the bracket. i had to change mine last friday and it was a pain to get the damn hoses off. putting them back on was piece of cake. remember, twist and pull, pulling straight out will only make it tighter.

put a bag under the filter as you remove the bottom hose. it'll catch most of the gas.

Bobo

Take your gas cap off as well.

FL600

I just replaced mine and it was tough as well. Try twisting it while holding the hose so that you don't twist the hose. I kept doing this and it came right out. I did cut the hell out of my arm on all of the stuff under the hood. Good Luck