First time changing the fuel filter on my FD today. Took about 30 minutes to get it off, but in the 2 seconds between the time I disconnected the rubber line and jammed a bolt in it, I got about a liter of fuel down my shirt sleeve. That stuff burns your skin if you leave it -- my arm is all red. Nice engineering, Mazda ;P

On my other car, the filter is mounted to the firewall. You just reach down from the top and don't get any fuel pouring on you. Takes no more than 5 minutes.

 

Get some hose clamps and relocate the fuel filter to the rear cross-member..

 

Relocate It.

 

did you relieve the fuel pressure? i hate the fuel filters as well

 

It's much easier if you remove the gas tank or differential.























But only if you needed to remove the gas tank or diff for another reason.

 

Outside of obviously de-pressurizing the fuel system, did you pull the fuel cap before beginning? Sometimes fuel vapor expansion in the tank causes enough pressure to literally pressurize the "in" fuel line to a small extent. I've also found that using something long and tapered (like a large punch) works far better than trying to jam a bolt into the fuel line. If you separate the bracket, you can maneuver the filter enough so that you just plug the hose temporarily with your finger, work the punch into position, and the hose is plugged; it also allows you to easily remove the stock spring clamp and replace it with a more appropriate worm-type hose clamp.

While the location of the FD's fuel filter obviously leaves a lot to be desired, it wasn't nearly as bad as some were making it out to be the first time I attempted it. Not trying to belittle you or anything here, but reading up as much as I could on the subject beforehand (which back then was mostly the "big list" and then Ciriani's site), then looking the job over carefully before beginning and visualizing each step made the job a lot easier. I think the actual job took about 30 minutes, and I might've spilled maybe a quarter-cup of fuel on my first filter replacement.

 

Yes, I did the "pull the relay while the engine is running" trick to relieve fuel pressure and I also opened the gas cap. The fuel that came out is only the residual fuel in the lines and also what's inside the filter, but it's enough to be messy. The entire project took less than an hour, so it wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be, but I sure don't see any way to do it without spilling fuel. Maybe next time I will relocate. It strikes me as odd that the engineers would place it where it is, centered, when there is PLENTY of room a little to the right (passenger's side) that is more easily accessible and visible.

 

Hahaha the second I saw the first part of the thread title on the main page I knew it was about the fuel filter Relocate that bitch!

 

filter move:
http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/fuel_filter_move.htm

filter change with mod:
http://www.mazdarxparts.com/index.php?topic=22.0

 

Yes they are. I just did this--twice as I had kinked the fuel line on the first try. Next time I will relocate it. I just changed it so I should be good for a couple of years, but I feel your pain!

 

Try taping a few napkins or paper towels to your forearms next time. Keeps the gas from going down your arms and makes for a lot less messy change.

Hehe make sure it's daytime too.

 

Yea is retarded. I relocate everyone I do to the bottom of the rear subframe.

 

thats what i did i highly recommend doing it, life is much easier now

 

This was my experience too. I didnt think it was bad at all but like Kento said, it could have been placed in a better location. Having slim arms definitely helps