I went to the dealer for 15k miles service and asked them about changing fuel filter on my 5th gen maxima, as we all know that the fuel filter is inside the fule tank and it will probably take 2 and half hours of labor to change it..the dealer is charging me $150 (labor) and $22.50 (part) for fuel filter change? Wow,,that is an expensive item to replace...

But they also told me that I won't really need it until 60k.
Is that true???

opinions???

Tim

 

Look in the owner's manual... Do you see a fuel filter replacement listed in the maintenance schedule?

 

Yeah..that's why dealer told me to change it around 60k..makes sense to me!!

Tim

 

You'll notice a difference later on in the car's life, after more usage. It takes awhile for a fuel filter to show signs of getting weak.

 

Yeah, that's what the dealer told me to change it around 60k miles, made sense to me!!

Tim

 

It's to my understanding that the fuel is usually filtered by the gas station pump right before it goes into your tank. The primary purpose of the cars filter is to remove any particles that come into your filler line or in your tank. So the fuel filter sees very little dirt accumulate.

 

I thought that the fuel filter was maintenance free?

 

It is. But I doubt it's self-cleaning. So sooner or later it's going to have to be replaced. The only question is, when?

 

While I would kill to own a 5th Gen Maxima, at least my fuel filter is on the fire wall beside the brake booster. Time to change = 5-10 minutes!

 

so has anyone tried to replace the fuel filter? or will i be the first one??

 

Somewhere I read a how-to on replacing the 5th Gen fuel filter. I will see if I can find it.

Pedro

 

i was going to change it, until i did a search. TIM posted something about if the pressure isn't released all the way m the car may smell like gas forever

 

Like I said before, do not take your car to any dealer for service, unless it's still under warranty. If you do you will get rip-off, o.k. I know b'cause i used to be a nissan tech. ...On our fifth gen. there is no fuel filter, all there is just a screen and fuel pump-all in one package. Hope this two cent of mine helps

 

so how hard is it to replace the screen?? i think mine is clogged..the max has 90K now. perhaps i should cough up the 400 bones and have the dealer mess with it...

 

Here's some tips.
A: The 5th gens do have a fuel filter, its in the gas tank, under the back seat bench.
B: Get your fuel filter from DAVEB and make sure you also get a replacement O-ring as the one that is there now has probably worn.
C: Taking your time this job is no more than an hour and fifteen minutes at tops.
D: Nothing on my car is maintenance free, including the fuel filter.
E: The filter and O-ring shouldn't cost more than $30-$35 from DAVEB, so no need to drop hundreds at a dealer..

 

maybe this is the reason you USED to be a tech.

 

If you decide to do. It's a good idea to pull the fuel pump fuse and let car run until it dies from lack of fuel. Lines will be clear and pressure will no longer be there. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

That is 100% correct. Pull the fuse and keep starting the car until it won't turn over.

 

gotcha....but then will i have to go through re-setting the ECU???

 

that is not necessary. the flow should increase if the old filter was shot.

 

I did this about a month ago. I got my filter from DaveB and it cost around 35 dollars. I am now seeing 2 mpg more, which is worth it. It took me about 45 minutes to replace the filter, I now could do it in about 20. Remember to pull the fuel pump fuse and crank the engine a few times until it wont start again to get most of the gas out of the lines. Also, remember to have plenty of rags around and open all the doors/windows/sunroof. Gas will still come out of the lines even after you pull the fuse, be prepared.

 

anyone have a write up with pics please.......kinda scared to mess around with parts that work with fuel

 

ya,,, you might not want to smoke, while doing this

 

I'll snap some pics today and put a write-up together maybe later this evening since I'm changing mine out again today.

 

Okay, just replaced it, and I can't stress enough to take your time while doing this. I spent way more time than I needed to because I forgot to do little things in the right order. I'll try and get a write-up done with the pics I took...

 

does it feel more responsive with the new filter? also how many miles did you have on it? thanks.

 

On my first filter I had about 60k miles. On this new filter I have about 4 miles. Mileage should go about and throttle response is ever so slightly better.

 

YAY

 

Ive been seen too many people related gas mileage with fuel filter. I suspect how can fuel filter affect the gas mileage. And I don't think you can feel any difference after you change it. It was stated very clear in the manual that the fuel filter is a maintenance free item.

 

I have over 100k miles on my car.. and original fuel filter. I'm getting 19 mpg mixed city and highway driving....

someone please do a write up.. my car drives alright but who knows, maybe i don't know how well it could drive and didn't notice it deteriorate slowly..

 

Nissan just recently added it to 105k service together with spark plugs. I just called my dealer and they want $450 for both.

 

here you go!!!!

 

The fact that you are getting better gas mileage is purely coincidental. A clean fuel filter will help extend the life of the fuel pump though. Chances are this will not go out on you anyway. I believe this is why Nissan used to call this a maintenance free item. Now what they need to fix is what they call a quick release tab. Those suckers would not come off for me. I had to cut those off.

Whatever you do, do not forget the rubber gasket between the filter and the pump. I did and my engine wouldn't start. I had to completely disassemble it to replace that gasket. I thought I screwed something up until I reread the link above.

This applies to everybody. Get a factory service manual. They are extremely useful and will tell you exactly how to get to the fuel filter or how to do whatever you are trying to do. It just does not have the little caveats in it, like the rubber gasket issue.

 

and don't smoke while you change it

 

19mpg is about right if the city you livein has heavy traffic.

 

I didn't notice any change in fuel economy after changing my fuel filter. Just a rather unexpected increase in performance, although I can't specify how much since I've never dyno'ed. But it was dramatic on the butt-dyno.