I went down to the shop today to play around with the car a little. I changed my fuel filter, spark plugs, the oil and filter and pressure-washed and cleaned the underside of my car. The fuel filter was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be by hearing people talk about it. I browsed Robinette's instructions the night before to get an idea, and then did it today. For those weary of changing the fuel filter, I say go for it. I did have access to a lift, so that did help. Spark plugs looked good, but went ahead and swapped some new ones in and the bottom of my car (which was not all that dirty to begin with) now looks like new. I do believe I'd rather change the fuel filter than the oil filter. The oil filter sits just right so that you can't get a good twist on it with the oil clamps. Just thought I'd share.

 

What the hell are you smoking? It's easier if you have a lift but crap, I can change my oil filter in a few seconds. Unscrew it with your hand!

To me it is worth the $65 to have someone else do the fuel filter.

 

I have a harder time getting the oil filter off than I did the fuel filter...it was on there very tight and there is not room to get a wrench in there to turn it.

 

You could always just yank the elbow out.

 

I jsut got one of those oil filter wrenches. easy as pie.

 

Changing the oil filter is always a breez. Just reach in, grab and twist. I only wish that the fuel filter was that easy. Those types of jobs are always ten times easier with a lift.

 

Easy???????

Fuel leaking down into the armpits stings.

 

depressurize the fuel system which takes all of ten seconds, then yank the fuel filter out. that was easy as cake, pie, stousel, etc... its a joke how much people complained when i did it. tell you guys what, ill charge you all half of what the shop charges you to do it. it took me longer to find the filter than it did to take it off. i think that people just use the wrong tools. just cause we drive cars that are made in japan, doesnt mean to use tools that are made their too. CRAFTSMAN works everytime.
kris

 

I'm sure after doing alot of fuel filters you get used to it and it gets easier but it will never get easier then the oil filter. Even if you relocated the f.f. to the passenger seat, it would still take longer to change then the oil f. That has to be the easiest thing on the car.

Anyways, good job on maintaining the car. Does it run any better?

 

Hahahahahaha.....some of you guys crack me up....obviously those that say **** like the fuel filter is easier to change than the oil filter or that they can change one in "ten seconds" have NEVER done it, in fact I doubt that they even own an FD!

The first time you change the fuel filter will take you a minimum of one hour....a lift would maybe cut that time in half.....but there is NO ******* WAY you can change it in TEN ******* SECONDS!

 

I didn't even depressurize the fuel lines. I crimped them with some line crimpers with some rags over them so as not to hurt them. The only gas that dribbled out was that in the fuel filter itself. I stuck it back in, using some screw type clamps this time and turned the ignition on and off a couple of times so the pump would prime itself. It cranked maybe one more time than usual before it fired right up. I really didn't think it was that hard, if I did I wouldn't have posted it. Granted it certaintly isn't the easiest fuel filter I have ever changed, and the space is quite limited, persistance prevailed and I feel much better about my car.

And Bajaman: I didn't post this thread to have people provide nothing meaningful to say. The fuel filter was not nearly as hard to change as it is made out to be. That is all.

 

Yes you can. In Shade Tree Mechanic time you can
He starts with the bolts....then into commercial...and when show starts again, he's done Oh wait, maybe that would be like 1 minute. Oh my bad

By the way, not counting jackup time, fuel depressurization and repressuring and aluminum pan removal, I can probably do my fuel filter in about 5-10 minutes. It just takes having the right size extension and the angle socket thing.

 

Just curious Rotaree, where are you able to simply "drive to the shop and throw your car on the lift" and do your own work to it? Do you work at a gas station or something? I am seriously considering getting a job at a station so I may be able to have access to a lift...

 

My girlfriend's dad owns an automotive business. If I ask for the keys to the shop he is pretty awesome about letting me do whatever I want there; he knows that I will take care of the stuff. Lifts are nice as hell to have.

-Kyle

 

Um my first time it only took about 1/2 an hour. Its not that bad. Next time I could do it in 15 minutes or so.