how can i access the fuel filter to change it? I checked out the How-To, but it wasnt clear as to where it actually was and how you get to it....anyone??

 

I changed mine a little while ago ... it is the world worse single piece to change in a maxima! Took me almost two hours! Anyway, on the drivers side, look inside the engine bay near the firewall ... you should see an acorn looking like thingy with TWO small houses comming out of it, one on top one on the bottom (can't really see this one until you detach it from the clamp). So, now you know where it is, it's a good idea to go to the inside fuse box by the drivers seat and pull the fuel pump fuse, then try to start your car. Yes, it doesn't sound pretty, but it's ok and you'll be thankfull you did this because it helps relieve line pressure (hence my problem cause the hoses are/were REALLY stuck on there). Try to crank it 3 times or so for about 5sec each, that should do the trick. Now go under the hood and pull that sucker out (this is the part that took me 1 1/2 hours, the other 1/2hour I was trying to put the hoses on the new one ... arg) When you are pulling out the second one, try NOT to tilt the filter too much, cause it does have fuel left in it, and a whole butt load of it! Also, make sure you have some paper towels UNDER the filter cause as soon as you pull the bottom hose out, ALOT of fuel is gonna come out of that filter! After all this, just put the new one on. Good luck

for me I needed all this to change the fuel filter
-new fuel filter
-5 pairs of latex gloves (mine kept ripping!)
-4 bandages
-a cyropracter (my back was killing me after this)
-a lot of paper towels
-philips screw drivers (to get the screw thigny off of the cramp holding the hosses on)
-2 hours to waste

Good luck

-Piotr

 

Clean your TB and while you have your intake off, it'll give you more room to get to the fuel filter. TB: http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/517 Fuel Filter: http://web.archive.org/web/200111091...k_service.html

 

my fuel fiter took about 30 minutes. Make sure your key is not on or in at all. Make sure you are in an open area for the fuemes to escape. I did not remove the, the gas will stop after 15 secs or so. From there just take your time. The hoses are are on there tight. Once you have the filter off the hard part is done.

good luck

 

the key is to remove the air intake. This additionnal 15 minutes invested will save hour(s) of work.

 

Removing and installing the fuel filter is a 10 minute job TOPS. Having ABS can make things alot harder. Key is to pull it out of the little clamp holding it against the firewall. Remove the top hose, flip it upside down and remove the other hose. Replace and you're done.

 

I know those hoses can be a ***** to get off, but 2 hours!!!!! How in the world can it take you 2 hours to change the fuel filter? I could change the fuel filter, eat lunch, take a dump and wash and wax the damn car in 2 hours!

 

Just did mine this weekend. I found it easier to pull the top hose off the metal fuel line instead of trying to reach down and pull it off the filter. Once the top hose has been disconnected, it's easier to rotate the filter down and pull off the bottom hose. Once the filter is out of the car, pull the top hose off or buy another hose for $0.99. Just my $0.02.

 

It's down next to the brake booster. Little metal clip holding it to the firewall. Man, that thing was a b!tch. I never could get it. I could only fit one arm down there to reach it, and it sucked trying to hold down the filter with my thumb and index finger while pulling the hose held between my middle finger and palm. Took me 45 mins, before I gave up. Then my girl, who has skinny arms and could fit both into the engine compartment, took it out no problem. Embarassing.