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Changing the fuel filter

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Old Nov 18, 2010 | 10:11 PM
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Changing the fuel filter

Hi guys. I hope I posted this in the right section. I made this account a couple weeks ago, but was really busy because of school and never got the chance to use it. So I don't know if i still qualify under new member Rx-7 techinal. I was planning on changing my fuel filter and i am really in need of help. This is my first rx-7 and car. I have the 1990 Rx-7 Turbo II. I have no clue on what to do so can you guys explain it to me step by step with lots of pictures =)? Thanks so much.
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Old Nov 18, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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1. Jack up the front of the car
2. Disconnect the fuel line from the engine
3. Disconnect the fuel filter from the fuel line coming from the tank
4. Plug the line with something and raise it up to stop fuel flow
5. Replace filter and put everything back together

You'll get fuel all over, but it evaporates. Let the car sit for awhile if it has been run recently. This will cool off anything that is hot, and allow time for the pressure in the lines to dissipate. If you need a picture, there's probably one in the Haynes manual.
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Old Nov 19, 2010 | 01:08 AM
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Oh okay thanks so much rotaryrocket88. I really appreciate it. Would i have to take my lip of to give some more clearance to lift it? The lip is super low. I don't have a floor jack, would the stock jack from my dad's van work?
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Old Nov 19, 2010 | 09:32 AM
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If you can't fit a floor jack under the car, you can put a scissor jack at each side of the front subframe and slowly raise the car. Or use the jacking point on the pinch welds if they are not already flattened (be very careful not to flatten them). Then pop jack stands under the front subframe at each side.

This sounds like the first time you have raised a car, so best bet is to get help from someone who has done this safely before.
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Old Nov 19, 2010 | 10:01 PM
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Yeah I never had a car before. This is my first =). I'll ask someone to help me when i actually do it. I can't wait. I think i'l' do it tomorrow. Sorry if i change the subject, but would the oil changing area be near the fuel filter? I think i should change it since the car will be lifted. Do you guys recommend a certain oil/filter? I was thinking of getting royal purple oil and filter, but if i get castrol gtx what filter should i use? Thanks so much =).
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 05:59 AM
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Depending on clearance it's sometimes easier with a set of ramps than with jacks. But like jacks, be sure to block the rear wheels.
Check the top of the 2nd generation section for the FAQ sticky. Post #6 is where you can download the Factory Service Manual re: the fuel filter. But spending some quality time reading through all the stickys will probably answer a lot of other questions.

As for oil, anyone that suggests the "best oil" or "best filter" is only giving you their opinion. Search the 2nd Gen. section for oil and filter related threads, network with some of the other FC owners near you and make your own decisions.

Since it's your first car you should be congratulated for doing maintenance. Not as much glamour, but shows responsibility.
Good luck.
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 09:56 AM
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Yep, you can change the oil at the same time. The drain plug is on the bottom of the oil pan, driver side.

As for oil, I'll tell you a secret: there is no subject that automotive forums love more then to debate about oil. And much of it is hearsay, with few actually able to provide a proper analysis.

I buy whatever oil is on sale when I need it, and I don't use synthetic (no point, in my opinion, when a car has such short change intervals) and I do the same for filters but I make sure to avoid any filters with silly additives.
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 04:02 PM
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Oh okay. Thanks for answering my oil question. Haha i guess people do like talking about oil. I guess i am going to buy a cheaper oil so i can have some money left to change my other fluids. I'll be sure to keep the silly additives as a "no" in my mind. I'll head over to the faq right now and have a good read. If the rain clears up a bit i think i'll go pick up some oil and prepare to do the change. I can't wait haha. Thanks again. I really appreciate it. You guys are soo awesome =).
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 04:38 PM
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For the oil part, I'm trying Mobile 1 right now, have been switch to that since August. Before switch to Mobile 1, it was on Redline. But you better check out other posts.
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:44 PM
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Oh okay. How much oil does a 90 turbo II fc need? About 5 qtz?
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cloudz
Oh okay. How much oil does a 90 turbo II fc need? About 5 qtz?

According to the factory workshop manual the capacity oil pan on a stock engine is 4.7 US qt. If you are doing a oil chage, around 4.5-4.7 US qt is fine. Be sure check out the FAQ section, there are tons of useful information.
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 10:33 PM
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Okay I'll go check the FAQ. I wasn't able to get my oil and oil filter today. I need to go to a different place in stock. Is 7.99 a qt for royal purple cheap? It's the lowest i've seen so far. I heard that you had to have 1 qt extra and check your dip stick everytime you go get gas. If needed use it to refill. Is this true? Thanks =)
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 10:38 PM
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You can get a 5 qt. jug of conventional oil for about $12-$15. I always buy an extra quart to top it off between changes. Oil consumption between changes will vary based on how much throttle you give it, but expect to use around 1 qt. per 1000-3000 miles.
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by cloudz
If the rain clears up a bit .
It just stopped after a while of hard, solid rain and hail here in Boulder Creek. Looks like it's going to be rainy around here until Tuesday, but hell it's good I can go Steelhead fishing on Tuesday, that should be nice.

As far as oil, most anything works fine and same with filters. Wix is a good brand, I usually use the Napa brand which is Wix anyway. Don't waste your money with Synthetics, I'd just do Dino oil. Where abouts are you in SJ?
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 11:48 PM
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I live near berryessa and king i think. I live really close to independence high school if you know where that is. So are oil pretty much all the same? Hmm. I might just get Castrol gtx and a wix filter. I am still not sure. Royal purple looks so sexy haha.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:08 AM
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Yeah, Castrol is good stuff. Wix filters are good, change it every 3-4000 miles and you'll be fine. I use Kendall, it's cheaper at Car Quest than Castrol and it's good stuff. With how much oil you'll be burning you don't want expensive stuff.

Cool that we've got more guys doing their own work. Nice having club members around the region too. If only there was a club member over in my area, of course there's no people where I'm at either.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:25 AM
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Yeah Castrol seemed good and my friend recommended wix. Good reasoning haha, with that much oil being burnt im not quite sure i want royal purple anymore. Is it true that if you use royal purple, you have to stick with it? Can i still switch to another syntethic? I think working on cars is fun. I used to build computers and stuff so i'm trying to switch over to cars. Cars are soooooo much harder lol. Yeah having club members in the same region is good. This club is awesome =)
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:55 AM
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Yeah I don't recommend doing synthetics because, it's better to stay with it once you go there. And yes, burning a quart every 1000 miles or so is kinda shitty if you have something that's upwards of $7 a quart. Working on cars can be fun, but I get burnt out on it at times. Have fun with your car and you should come to one of the meets that they have around the Bay Area. Right now my car's down I'm doing all new brakes and a front end, and just put the pumpkin in there so I have posi now. Now I need to get my alignment and tires on and then It'll be peachy. Also going to be getting fresh paint on there because my bud that works at an auto body shop owes me work. lol
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 01:10 AM
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Yeah thanks =). I'm having fun. =( your cars down? What happened. I hope you get it done faster. I can imagine how bummed out i would be if my car was down. That's good that your getting a paint job. I need to get one after i get all my stuff changed. I want my fc to be white haha. Initial D! lolol.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 05:54 PM
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my car has been down for about 4 months now. i am doing a turbo swap and i just cant find time to work on it but weekends. but oil changes are just the start to all the fun. i usually use conventional oil. because its cheaper and you are going to burn some oil
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:14 PM
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Oh okay. I am having trouble finding the oil filter in my 90 turbo II. I found the drainage for the oil but where is the oil filter located? Thanks
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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On the top of the rear iron. You can remove the intercooler if you need more room to get your hand in there.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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Oh how do i remove the intercooler? Is it really hard?
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 09:40 PM
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if you want cloudz, this week i can come help you on your car and give you some very general tips but i dont know **** about 2nd gens. funkjaw is a good guy to talk to if your looking for advice, he's pretty knowledgable on 2nd gens. and btw im doing idler arms, tie rod ends, and all new brakes front and rear. it doesn't bother me if my car's down since i have the bronco II and my chevy truck as well and i dont really drive the car in the winter much anyways

lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Bronco_II

Last edited by bmeyer; Nov 21, 2010 at 09:42 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 09:49 PM
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Wow bmeyer. You would be a god if you came haha. I appreciate it. If your not busy sure, just stop by. Well i got the intercooler and installed the oil filter. So fun haha. I think i am going to do the fuel filter right now too. Still trying to find that haha.
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