Feul Filter how does it effect the car
 

My car has been running on the crappy side lately. I know that I need a new feul filter. How does that effect the car? I have had a low vacuum lately, it has been around 11lbs. Boost is normal. I thought I had a vacuum leak somewhere, but I can not find it. Is it usaul to here air blow out around the elbow? I would apperciate any help.
Thanks,
Eric

Replace that filter before you do anything else with your life. if you run too lean you'll run into detonation territory and you'll blow your engine. Do this poste haste! I have a friend that lost his engine for this reason.

Yup, the fuel filter is one of those things you want to keep up on - like oil changes and coolant flushes. If it's been a while, you'll notice a smoother idle and just better overall performance. I just had mine reaplced - it cost $120 from the dealer and is one of those things that's just too much of a pain in the ass for me to do it myself. If you buy the filter alone and replace it yourself, it's around $65.

I've heard all the horros stories about changing the filter but it took me about an hour and it was not as hard as everyone makes it sound at least in my opinion. You can get the RP filter from rx7.com for $25 or the original mazda for $33. Look at the robinette site for installing instructions.

You need a rack
 

I changed my fuel filter, for the first & last time, on jack stands. What a major pain in the ass.
If you can use a service station or tire store rack to raise your car up high enough to stand under, it's bearable.
For such a small important part, it sure is buried it in the most inaccessible spot on the car.
This is one job I could trust the monkeys at the Mazda dealer to handle. I was quoted $89 for part & labor.

That's odd how the prices differ at different Mazda dealerships across the country. You'd think they'd be standardized.

Screw the OE filter. Take it out and replace it with a relocated aftermarket unit. I moved mine (K&N unit) up to the engine bay. Now I never have to raise the car up off the ground to service it again!

Mazda probably didn't put the filter in the engine bay due to the extreme heat. There has been posts on this issue before.

Yeah...and Mazduh also...

Put a plastic AST on the FD.

Put a crappy Precat on the FD.

Put a junk radiator on the FD.

Put a juck IC on the FD.

I don't know, take your pick. Seems like quite a few people have done the relocation without issue. I am one.

I'm gonna change my own fuel filter for the first time myself this weekend (time permitting). I have listened to issue with relo of the filter to the bay, and, while this does make it easier to access, i don't like the idea of having it in the hotass bay. Sure many people do it without problem, in fact i've never heard of a problem....but i don't want to be the first.
~Tom