I changed my fuel filter last week and noticed my gas milaege went up like +50miles more on a full tank I have like almost 60K on the car too..

 

Which fuel filter did you go with?

 

The one in the tank? Do it yourself??

 

It's the one in the tank. It's actually pretty easy to replace. Just make sure you change it with like 1/4 gas left Stock replacement it's about like $5 or $15 from DaveB.

 

PCGuRu2K,

Can please post a how to and edumecate me/us.

water-cooled twin-turbo dreams
SHIFT_woosh

 

I thought the fuel filter was part of the entire plastic housing assembly. Thats what the FSM shows and I didnt really see it when I was replacing the pump.

Educate us.

 

Please let us know what was involved. Also, how many mile were you getting to a tank before? Seems like a large improvement...

 

It's inside the plastic housing.. The fuel filter is pretty big. It had one of the braided hoses coming out of it. It's the one that the fuel pump goes right through it

 

more. .. more. . .

 

Was yours pretty dirty? I have always thought that its BS that Nissan doesnt recommned changing the fuel filter regularly on the 5th gens. How long did it take you to change the filter? I am going to change it, maybe it will help on my missing HP problem

 

From the big housing there are only two thing you can take out. The filter and the fuel pump. So you can;t go wrong there..

 

you would have to ask the person he paid to change the filter for him

 

Yeap

 

Hey BigDog...how hard is it to get in this area? Worth paying someone or if you are careful a average "Joe" can get in there?

 

Here's some info from the '02 Electronic Service Manual...

----

Fuel Pump, Fuel Level Sensor Unit and Fuel Filter

REMOVAL:
1. Release fuel pressure from fuel line.
2. Remove rear seat bottom.
3. Remove inspection hole cover located under the rear seat.
4. Disconnect electrical connector.
5. Remove the quick connectors.
6. Remove the six bolts.
7. Pull out the fuel level sensor unit and fuel pump.
- Do not damage the arm of the fuel level sensor and fuel tank temperature sensor.
8. Remove flange of fuel level sensor unit and fuel pump.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the snap fit portion.
9. Push fuel level sensor flange.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the snap fit portion.
10. Pull up the fuel level sensor.
11. Remove fuel filter from chamber.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the snap fit portion.
12. Remove pressure regulator clip, then pull out pressure regulator.
13. Remove fuel pump, then push down the fuel pump.
14. Remove packing from fuel pump.
15. Remove the pump support rubber from the fuel pump.


INSTALLATION:
Install in the reverse order of removal paying attention to the following.
- Install the fuel filter and fuel pump with the tabs aligned, make sure a click sound of secure engagement is heard.
- Securely connect the harness connector of the fuel pump.
- Install the pressure regulator O-ring as follows.
CAUTION:
- When replacing, always use a new O-ring, packing and clip.
- Handle it with bare hands. (Do not use gloves.)
- Visually check the O-ring, mounting parts and mating parts for foreign materials and flaws.
- Before installing, apply new engine oil.
- To avoid damage, do not apply an excessive force (pulling or starching).

- Install the pressure regulator as follows.
1. Insert the clip to the groove of the regulator.
2. With the clip installed, insert the regulator straight by matching the fuel filter protrusion and the clip notch.
3. Make sure that the fuel filter protrusion and clip notch are securely engaged.

----

Peace

 

The gas tank does not need to be removed to change the filter.

True or False?

 

Its not hard to do. Just messy and smelly. All you have to do is follow the directions above. But yes an average careful joe can do it. Just dont smoke around the area while attempting it

The gas tank does not need to be removed, just the rear seat bottom.

Dixit

 

I'm going to have to try this becasue my gas mileage has gone down. On a good week I get 280 miles on a tank (use to be 315ish)

 

And for the bass heads, probably a good idea to pull the fuse / trip the circuit on your system. I know many people use a ground point near / under the rear seats and it probably won't spark...but can never bee too careful.

Luckilly I've only got 3300 miles so I have a while to go!

 

Damn... My ground was right next to the tank opening. Good thing there were no sparks

 

Wish you can post in the "how-to" section with pic

 

I'll be doing this within the next couple days. I'll try and get some pics of it.

 

...We're waiting

 

Be careful if you have a system with a capacitor. They store huge amounts of charge and can create a spark ( *BOOM* ) if shorted.

I suggest placing a resistor, value 300 - 1000 ohms from the positive (+) of the cap to ground for about 10 seconds, AFTER, AFTER removing the fuse that feeds the cap.

Bring us back a good how to.

don't get dead
SHIFT_woosh

 

PCGuru, did you notice a performance gain at all from changing it?

 

For those that are going ot be replacing the filter, like the instructions stated always use a new o-ring, because when I did this, when it came time to put everything back together I saw that the o-ring expanded and I had a hard time putting the cover on it. I had to order the o-ring from DaveB and while waiting for it to come in I got an SES light. Also have a towel handy because once you relieve the fuel preassure and you disconnect the fuel lines from the top of the fuel pump assemble,gas is still going to come out. So have one ready to soak up the gas. And lastly, it took me a freaking hour to get the filter out of the assembly because I had to disconnect two connections, and there was very limited space to take them off. All I had to do was turn the them to the side to gain easier access to use some pliers to disconnect them. Otherwise its a bit hard to disconnect them. The whole time I was under the impression that it I move them that I was going to break them. BTW the connections that I speak of are two hoses (black) that are connected to the fuel pump. I don't remember if I took pictures but If I find anything on this that will be usefull I will post. Otherwise if I didn't post its because I didn't find anything. Good luck guys, it's not hard just take your time and make sure you label where the connections go. I am not liable if you mess up on something. Just my disclaimer.