skytower31

I was reading the in fluids section that the fuel filter in the 5th gens are burried in the fuel tank and so Nissan does not consider it a regular maintenance item but how would I go about changing it if I wanted to? How can Nissan say you don't need to change the filter? Unless they have some sort of super-filter that never gets dirty, that filter needs to get changed. I change the fuel filter on my other car every 15k miles.

Anyway, does anyone know to change the fuel filter? Thanks!

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

this has been talked about alot. i talked to my service guy and he said the same thing. but i agree with you. a filter removes dirt and where does that dirt go? it stays in the filter. so how does it not get clogged??

here is how to do it. its about half way down
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=276627

ChillWill2000

Nissan says no. but everyone who has changed theres all said the filter was full of dark gunk. And after changing they reported an increase in mpg and pep in performance. I say yes.

skytower31

Jebus, that is pretty complicated! It takes me about 5 minutes under my car on my Trans Am! Oh man...anyone know how much it costs to do at the dealership?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

exactly!!
most cars have them on the fuel line.
btw, nissan doesnt call it a filter. it is a "fuel screen"
i asked my service guy and he said "we will sell you the screen but wont install it since we consider it a maintenance free item"

skytower31

Interesting. So the only filtering item in that fuel assembly is the screen?

I plan on keeping this car a long time and don't want to kill any fuel components, but if you think I could run like 100k without changing it, I may not worry about it. Just kinda scary though.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

i plan on changing mine.
i looked at this so called "screen" at the dealership. looked like a filter to me. looked like it would slow down fuel especially if dirty.

skytower31

Hum, what happens if you go to Kragen or Pep Boys and ask for a fuel filter for an '03 maxima? What do they sell you there?

Colonel

There is a "screen" on the pickup, but the fuel DOES travel through a filter. I have successfully replaced this item. Its sorta a chore, but now, I could probably do it fairly quickly.

I agree with all the opinions on this page. This item DOES need replacement on a regular schedule. Its just another "miss" on Nissans part to do something responsibly.

Colonel

just order it from DAVEB. Its the right stuff, without problems. Make sure you get the gasket as well. You will not be able to reuse the old gasket. I think it was around 25 bux for the whole thing set (filter/gasket) shipped.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

they will say "we dont have one"

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

Kragen or Pep Boys shouldn't even have one. T rust me, get it from the dealership--it's around $22 shipped or so, which includes an O-ring for the fuel tank.

BTW, it's not called a "screen", it's called a Fuel Strainer Assembly (according to the box I got from DAVEB). I highly recommend ordering it from DAVEB because he knows exactly what you need (fuel strainer assy and O-ring).

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

they called it "maintenance free" so they wouldnt have to replace it. and its part of the whole sending unit so they can make stupid people buy the whole thing.

skytower31

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...Type=4&PTSet=B

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

you are right its "strainer" not "screen". my mistake, knw it started with an S. they still need to call it what it is, and what everyone else calls it...FUEL FILTER
$23 at my local dealership.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

thats not it dude!!
thats what it looks like on most cars. it is on the fuel line.

this is what ours looks like

Colonel

I hope that picture is NOT represenative of the actual filter as thats not even close.

Its also 8 bux MORE expensive then OEM from Nissan!

Colonel

Actually, the white piece in the background is the filter. The piece in the guys hand is the pump itself. The piece circled is a grommet that you HAVE to make sure that is installed on the new filter. Dont make my mistake too!

skytower31

Yeah, after reading that writeup and looking at the part online at Kragen, I realized it was not the same thing...

Well I think I will tackle this myself soon...

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

It's worth it, but please read my notices on the writeup page and DON'T FORCE ANYTHING... don't pull on anything too hard, those plastic fuel line manifolds/ports/whatever in the plastic fuel sending unit assembly can be a little brittle... break it and you'll find yourself with a good $80 bill and either 1 week of downtime on your car, or a $150 bill after rigging it up to use the fuel return line as your fuel supply, leaving the broken fuel supply line as your "return" line

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

I sure wish our fuel filters were as simple as that... but that's definitely NOT it

skytower31

Man, you are scaring me! Especially since I will be doing this on my g/f's car and there can be NO downtime!

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

As you should be... I think this is the reason Nissan claims it's a "non-maintenance" item. Just make sure you got an alternate ride handy in case things go foul with this (or order the fuel sending unit and lower fuel chamber ahead of time, returning it if you don't end up needing it... seriously, this can be insurance against screwup, so long as you don't chew up the fuel filter's outlet line trying to remove the broken fuel line if you do break it)

Seriously though, if you do the job with EXTREME care and do so under the assumption that something's gonna break if you do so much as LOOK at it funny, you should be fine.

Colonel

If you GO SLOW and CAREFULLY you will be fine. Yes, it can be broken if you try to manhandle it. I have disassembled/reassembled mine at LEAST 4-5 times (I was trying to figure out my float issue user inflicted issue).

panda_1

iTrader: (4)

i miss the fuel filter location on my old maxima, back of the engine bay.

6spmax

Never replaced the filter in my 95 altima and never had a problem in 120,000 miles. Not saying that's that right thing to do, though.

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

Hell I wasn't even trying to manhandle it... I had the fuel filter connected to the supply line already, and held the fuel filter a little lower so I could get the fuel filter properly seated in its side notches, lifting the fuel sender up a little to see how well it was going in, and BAM, damn thing snapped... fuel supply line still sitting inside the fuel filter's outlet.