How To Change Fuel Filter On 2004 C240

Download Article

Download Commodity

Changing the fuel filter is a office of regular maintenance. Keeping your fuel system properly maintained past changing the fuel filter prolongs the life of the fuel pump. Dirt in the fuel is captured by the filter which clogs over time, causing it to operate less efficiently. The clogged filter reduces fuel force per unit area and volume in the fuel system. If your vehicle is losing power, it could exist a sign of a chock-full fuel filter. Replace the filter at the manufacturer's recommended interval.

Annotation: This guide applies to gasoline engine vehicles simply. The fuel filters in diesel cars and trucks are commonly much larger, and the whole fuel organization is much more than complex. Diesel engine fuel systems are also under a lot more pressure, with modernistic mutual rail systems producing over chiliad bar of pressure. Accidentally releasing such high pressure could result in injury.

one
Locate your vehicle's fuse box. In order to relieve the pressure in your fuel system, y'all will need to run the vehicle without the fuel pump performance for a short time. In social club to forestall the fuel pump from turning on with the engine, you volition need to locate the fuse box that contains the fuel pump fuse. Most vehicles have a fuse box both in the interior of the car besides as under the hood. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to locate the appropriate fuse box.^[one]
- If you do not take an owner'due south manual, try referring to the automobile maker'due south website.
- The fuse for the fuel pump is often in the fuse box locating in the interior of the vehicle.
ii
Remove the fuse for the fuel pump. One time y'all have located the correct fuse box, apply the diagram provided on the fuse box cover or in the possessor's transmission to identify the fuse that powers the fuel pump. Use a pair of needle nose pliers or plastic tweezers to remove the fuse.^[2]
- With the fuse removed, the fuel pump will not function when you showtime the engine.
- At that place is still fuel and force per unit area in the fuel lines running from the rear to the forepart of the vehicle.
- Check the auto maker's website for a fuse diagram if y'all practise non accept 1.
Advertisement
3
Ensure the vehicle is not in gear. Although the engine will non be receiving a fresh supply of fuel from the gas tank, there will be enough fuel left in the lines for information technology to start and run briefly. Make sure automatic vehicles are in park and vehicles equipped with a standard manual are in neutral with the parking brake engaged.^[iii]
- Although the vehicle will only run briefly, it will still move if left in gear.
- Be sure the parking brake is engaged if you lot are in a standard vehicle. The parking brake is optional but brash for automatics.
4
Start the engine. Insert the fundamental into the ignition and turn it to start the motor only as you would any other time. The engine should starting time easily as it expends the fuel remaining in the fuel system by the fuel pump.^[four]
- If the engine turns over but so sputters out, it may not have had sufficient pressure in the lines to force the fuel into the engine.
- If the engine dies, the fuel pressure will exist sufficiently relieved.
five
Allow the engine to run for a infinitesimal earlier shutting information technology off. Depending on the fuel system in your vehicle and its average fuel consumption, the amount of time it will run without a functioning fuel pump can vary greatly. It does non need to run until it dies, however. Instead simply allow it to run for a minute or ii before turning the key back to off.^[5]
- Without the fuel pump functioning, the pressure level will be relieved in the fuel lines fairly quickly.
- Assuasive the engine to run until it dies may make it difficult to offset it again.
half dozen
Re-insert the fuel pump fuse. With the pressure relieved from the fuel system and the engine off, you can re-insert the fuse that powers the fuel pump. Place the comprehend back on the fuse box and return any pieces of the trim you lot may have needed to remove to access it.^[6]
- Make certain the vehicle is off before replacing the fuse you removed.
- Do not start the engine once more after inserting the fuel pump fuse.
Advertisement

1
Disconnect the battery. Now that there is no reason for the engine to be started again until the project is complete, you should disconnect the negative last on the battery. Removing the cable from the negative last will prevent the engine from being started while you lot work. You volition demand to use a hand or socket wrench to loosen the nut property the cable onto the negative terminal, but you will non need to remove the nut completely.^[7]
- Disconnecting the battery will ensure the engine cannot be started during the balance of this project.
- Tuck the negative cablevision to the side of the battery to ensure it doesn't accidentally come into contact with its terminal on the battery.
2
Locate the fuel filter. There are ii common locations fuel filters are mounted in vehicles, so you should refer to your vehicle'southward service transmission to assist you determine which place to look.^[8] The almost common location for modern vehicles is forth the fuel line on the bottom of the car, but past the fuel pump. In some vehicles, the fuel filter is located in the engine bay on the line that leads to the fuel rail.^[ix]
- Some vehicles may place the fuel filter in a different location, and then refer to your service manual to find out for sure.^[10]
- You lot may demand to access the fuel filter from inside the cabin of some vehicles.
3
Jack up the car if necessary. If the fuel filter is located on the underside of your vehicle, yous will need to jack upwardly the car to access it. Slide the jack under the car at one of its designated jack points, then either pump or twist the handle to raise the vehicle (depending on the style of jack).^[11]
- Once the vehicle is jacked up, place jack stands beneath it before working under the vehicle.
- Never rely on a jack to support the weight of a vehicle you are beneath while working.
4
Identify a basin or bucket beneath the fuel filter. Although you relieved the pressure in the fuel line, in that location may exist a bit of fuel left in the line that tin can spill out when disconnected from the fuel filter. Place a bowl or bucket below the fuel filter to catch any fuel that drips or pours out.^[12]
- Do not mix the fuel with oil or coolant to be recycled. Gasoline should be held in its own container until it can exist dropped off to a recycling location.
- Be careful of using plastic containers to hold gas, as it may consume through some kinds of plastic and cause a leak.
v
Remove the clips holding the fuel filter in place. Most fuel filters are held in identify past 2 plastic clips. Locate the clips on either side of the cylindrical fuel filter, then utilise a flat head screwdriver to pop them out of the holes they are in. These clips may break as you lot remove them, then purchasing replacement clips forth with your fuel filter is advised.^[thirteen]
- The clips that hold the fuel filter in place are fabricated of thin plastic and tend to intermission easily. If you are able to remove them without them breaking, they may be reused.
- You tin buy replacement fuel filter clips at your local auto parts store.
6
Remove the fuel lines from the filter. With the clips removed, slide the fuel lines away from the filter to pop them off of the nozzles on either finish. Brand certain to tip the fuel lines toward the bowl or bucket in place as you lot remove them to catch any spilled gasoline. ^[14]
- You should article of clothing eye protection and gloves during this portion of the project to protect you from fuel splatter.
- Practise your best to avoid assuasive whatsoever gas to cascade out onto the ground.
7
Slide the fuel filter out of its bracket. The fuel filter is likely held in place by a metallic bracket that wraps around its outer housing. With the fuel lines asunder, yous can slide the fuel filter out of the subclass by pushing it toward the front of the car. The fuel filter will have a slight bell shape, allowing it to slide out in only one management.^[15]
- If your filter sits in the bracket differently, you lot may need to slide it toward the back of the car to remove information technology.
- Some fuel filters under the hood may he held in the subclass with a bolt that will need to exist removed to slide the filter out.
Advertisement

one
Compare the new filter to the sometime one. When less fuel can pass through the filter, it is time to change information technology.^[16] Before installing the new fuel filter, compare information technology to the ane you but removed. Make sure they appear to exist the same outside diameter, that the nozzles are the same size, and that it volition fit into the bracket.^[17]
- If the fuel filters exercise not match, you will need to render the new one for the correct replacement filter.
- Do not endeavor to use a fuel filter for a different application in your vehicle, every bit information technology may not be capable of allowing the appropriate book of fuel to pass through information technology.
two
Slide the new fuel filter into the bracket. The new fuel filter should easily slide into its subclass. If you have to force it, it is likely non the correct diameter. The fuel filter should finish when it is seated properly, as it should only be able to slide all the style out in ane direction.^[xviii]
- Be careful not to damage the housing of the fuel filter, as that may cause a leak.
- If you find yourself pushing hard on the filter to brand it fit, it is likely not the correct one.
iii
Fasten the fuel filter to the fuel line. Slide the fuel lines onto the front and back of the filter the same style they were attached to the old one. With the fuel line in identify on the filter, slide the plastic clips through the holes on the fuel line nozzle to secure the line in place on the fuel filter.^[19]
- If the plastic clip breaks as you slide it in, practise not attempt to drive the vehicle until you replace the broken clip.
- Make sure the fuel lines are snug on the nozzles of the fuel filter before sliding the clips into place.
4
Lower the vehicle off of the jack stands. Jack upwards the auto to relieve the weight on the jack stands, then slide them out from beneath the vehicle. Once the jack stands are articulate, lower the vehicle to the basis by either releasing the pressure in the jack or turning the jack handle counter-clockwise, depending on your style of jack.^[20]
- Be sure the jack stands are completely out of the style, otherwise they may harm the vehicle if lowered onto them.
- Once the vehicle is safely on the ground, reconnect the battery to complete the project.
Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

How practise I know if my fuel filter needs changing?

Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Clan (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Automotive Specialist

Expert Respond

Do a fuel force per unit area exam to determine if enough fuel is being pushed through the system. Plus, you should always modify your filter if it'southward clogged or leaking.
Question

Is at that place a divergence in fuel filters?

Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Possessor of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than 8 years of feel, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are canonical by the American Car Clan (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

Some fuel filters are canister type, with a filter that fits into a canister. These can exist hands inspected—if the canister filter is clearly dirty, only supplant information technology. Other filters are closed, meaning they can't be inspected for dirt. Leakage, time, mileage, and vehicle performance should guide when to replace this type of filter.
Question

Can I replace my ain fuel filter?

Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than 8 years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are canonical by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Automotive Specialist

Proficient Reply

It depends on your vehicle! Many vehicle designs integrate the fuel filter inside the fuel pump and are not serviceable. The fuel pump is oftentimes inside the fuel tank, and will require the fuel tank to be removed to gain admission to the fuel pump and filter.
Question

How oft should a fuel filter exist changed?

Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved past the American Motorcar Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Automotive Specialist

Good Answer

An older vehicle'south fuel filter should exist inverse once every 2 years or every xxx,000 miles. Newer vehicle fuel filters can final much longer.
Question

Will tightening the clamps on fuel filter crusade vehicle to run crude?

It could. If your fuel filter requires hose clamps to attach it to the fuel lines, tightening them too much could restrict the flow of fuel and crusade the engine to run poorly. There are a number of other issues that may cause an engine to run rough, just if information technology started later on a contempo fuel filter change y'all may accept installed the incorrect fuel filter.
Question

I have a 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale with 350 engine. Where is the fuel filter located?

Uglymug18

Community Answer

This motorcar has a quadra jet carb from the manufactory and the fuel filter can be found by locating the fuel line going into the carb. Remove the fuel line, and there is a larger hex nut on the carb the line went in. Simply remove the nut and the filter is right within the carb.
Question

Why is my car stalling when I put it in drive?

Uglymug18

Community Answer

Most likely it is a torque converter lock upwardly solenoid in the manual. Information technology is a very common outcome and is easily changed by dropping the transmission pan in most vehicles.
Question

My Quantum has the fuel filter in the fuel tank. How practise I modify it?

Uglymug18

Customs Answer

It really isn't a fuel filter, it's a fuel screen if it'due south in the tank. The fuel pump would accept to be pulled and the screen just snaps on the bottom.
Question

Where practice I discover the fuel filter in a 2003 Ford Explore XLS?

Uglymug18

Community Reply

The filter is an inline filter and can be found almost directly under the driver's side door underneath the vehicle.
Question

How do I remove the gas filter in a gunkhole?

Uglymug18

Community Answer

Information technology depends on the boat, most boat filters are just an inline filter held on with two clamps.

Testify more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail accost to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertising

Video

Nearly This Article

Article Summary 10

Before yous alter your fuel filter, you'll demand to save the pressure level in your vehicle's fuel organization, disconnect the bombardment, and jack upward your vehicle if the filter is underneath it rather than in the engine bay. And so, use a flathead screwdriver to pop out the plastic clips holding the fuel filter in place. Adjacent, slide the fuel lines away from the filter then you tin can take them off the nozzles on either end. Yous can so slide the old fuel filter out of its bracket. To put a new fuel filter in, just slide it into the bracket, reattach the fuel lines, and supersede the plastic clips holding the filter in position. For information on how to relieve the pressure in your vehicle's fuel arrangement, keep reading!

Did this summary assist you?

Cheers to all authors for creating a page that has been read 236,441 times.

Did this article help you?