Greetings, after searching for this topic and speaking with some folks I decided to post. Does anyone have an easy method of removing those f****n fuel line hoses from the filter without destroying the fuel line in the proces? I can only get one hand down there and these things are on TIGHT.

 

I used one hand to hold the fuel filter and a pair of channel locks on the hose. Twist the hose first to break it lose, then just slowly wiggle them off. They come off easier when everything is warm, the hose will flex better.

If you have ABS, it's a PITA no matter which way you look at it.

 

If you have ABS (like I do), it's a two-man job. Jack up the car and put it on jack stands. Have an assistant crawl under the car. Have him hold the end of the bottom hose as you twist off the filter, then you hold the top hose as he twists off the filter.

 

I had the TRANSMISSION out of the car and I still could not do it. I wound up knifing the fuel lines and just replacing them all together.

 

I have ABS as well and I got bloody knucles from it.. One of the hardest/simplest things I have ever had to change on a car

 

By what I've read it sounds like changing this fuel filter is a lot tougher than it should be. I haven't done this yet but I will have to do it soon. Has anyone thought of relocating this filter to provide easier access?

 

Two words:
Panel Popper.

I got the hoses off and the new Fuel filter installed in under 30 seconds.

IanS

 

It wasn't easy...I mean, this took me
about 15 minutes, but, TWO people???

anyhow...you *could* slice the hose, but, be VERY careful...NO SPARKS!

FLO_BOY

 

Tried that too. No avail.

 

jam a needle nose or small flat head screwdriver down between the hose and the filter and go around until it's all broke loose. The original hoses almost become one with the filter because of the heat cycling and residue build up from the fuel.

 

Ive got ABS and got it done in 15 min. use a wide flathead screwdriver and stick it between the hose and the filter on the bottom. push with the screwdriver and pull the filter with your hand, once you get the bottom off the top can be taken off the same way. its a bit@h, but it works and its worth it.

 

for the top hose I removed the clamp on the opposite end, near the engine, which was a breeze....bottom hose got cut though....I will pay to get this done next time (ABS)

 

what's a "panel popper"

 

For me its easy. I don't have ABS and I can have my intake off in under a minute. Piece of cake then!

For you guys with abs: have you considered attempting to relocate your fuel filter to make things easier on yourselves down the road?

 

i also learned a cool trick for higher mileage cars...although it might not have such cool results. shake the gas in the fuel filter out into a glass jar and if you can see any metal shavings you're are soon to be replacing a fuel pump. Just a little indicator on what to expect. Maybe that's common knowledge for some, but thought i'd share.

 

Thanks for all the info, you guys ROCK

 

It is difficult for sure. Try a blow dryer.

 

Yeah. That's smart. Stick a hot blow dryer over your FUEL lines!

 

Yes, it is smart, thanks. I wouldn't have been able to install the SC without a blowdryer. The blowdryer was just as important a tool during the install as a screwdriver, a wrench, vice grips, etc.

 

Heh - I understand for vacuum/radiator hoses - But Fuel seems a little risky to me. Mind you - I know it takes a bit more than a hairdryer to make fuel explode, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

The Panel Popper method was my tool of choice during the SC install. I had very little trouble with hoses.

IanS

 

No you can't make your fuel ignite by heating the hose with a blowdryer.

 

theoretically, the element inside a hirdryer that heats up gets hot enough easily to ignite fumes.

It's probably only a 1% chance, but I wouldn't risk it myself, that's all I'm saying.