man, what a pita. i had a couple hours to spare today, so i decided to give it a go since i've been driving around with a new filter in my trunk for about a month. i did the whole thing with just my gerber multi-tool, i don't recommend.

in any case, it's a rather straightforward deal, but stupid me, i managed to spew fuel on myself and the back seat when i disconnected one of the fuel lines. luckily, the seat cushion wasn't on there. honestly, i don't really know what the new filter's supposed to do for me other than maybe free up some pressure for the fuel pump which i suppose will make it last longer. but man o man, that filter was dirty. i'm glad i did it. i just wish i had a replacement screen thingy to change at the same time.

fyi, i'm at ~100k, so it's been a while. i'd highly recommend doing this before getting to my point, cuz like i said, the used filter was quite dark inside. i'm at about 1/3 tank now. i'll be filling up tonight and trying out the bg44k on my next tank. let's see what this does for my fuel economy....

 

So you recommend changing the filter (if poss.) before using the BG44? I'm 500mi. away from a 30k service & don't know if I should use the BG44 before or after the 30k service?

 

I don't think fuel filters are ever replaced on '02-'03 cars. I might be confusing this with the G35 but I checked my service manual and Maximas, Sentras, Altimas, and 350Zs are all exempt from fuel filter replacement at the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 mile services. Hell, I never replaced it on my '95 altima(I know I should have) and in 120,000 miles of ownership never had a problem.

 

Yeah they are not technically a maintenance item, according to the manual, because they are such a ***** to get at. If I had to do mine I'd probably just bring it into the dealership. Probably a good idea before the BG44k, although Ijust put mine in on a 60k car without changing the filter :Q

 

its a filter just like any other and needs replacement. nissan states that its not a maintenance item but would you rather have a clean fuel filter or a dirty one. they also recommened the plugs for 100k. you may not be having a problem with your altima but i would be willing to bet that replacing the fuel filer would yield favorable gas mileage. i replaced it on my old 95 and it was very simple. at 100k, it was incredibly dirty and it had been replaced at 60k. im planning on changing my fuel filter in my max at 60k.

 

I believe the thought is the BG44 may dislodge particles imbedded in a dirty fuel filter and carry them into the engine, thus replacing the fuel filter before the BG44 would be recommended. BG44 should cause no harm to a clean fuel filter.

I've also heard to change the oil after a BG44 treatment, as deposits from the treatment may be suspended in the oil.

Personally, I'd change the fuel filter, add the BG44, drive 1000 miles, change the oil.

 

exactly my plan, tho not intentionally just kinda worked out that way with the oil change interval. but yeah, nissan service manual doesn't state that you need to change the fuel filter, but looking at my old one, i'm sure glad i did. forget about dirty fuel, it looks like dirty oil in there.

as for the bg44k dislodging anything and carrying it into the engine, i figure if the crap gets dissolved enough to make it out of the filter, it'll burn up in the engine. so i suppose you could assume that the bg44k will also clean out your fuel filter but i'd rather have a new filter anyhow, so that's why i'm going with this sequence. the filter didn't even cost that much anyway.

as mentioned in a previous thread: don't smoke when changing the filter

 

Also... AVOID SPARKS!!! That's why I think you should let a pro handle it!

G