When your vehicle needs a new fuel filter, save money by doing the job yourself. Here's how.
Introduction
If your car is not running smoothly, especially if it’s idling roughly, hesitating or having difficulty starting, then the culprit might be your fuel filter. It’s job is to keep dirt and debris in the fuel from entering the engine, and once it starts to get clogged, it can create a host of problems, including a breakdown.
If your car runs on gasoline (vs. diesel) and the fuel filter is located outside of the fuel tank, experts recommend replacing it every two years or 30,000 miles. In general, it’s a relatively easy DIY task, but “It is a messy and stinky job,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an automotive expert with JustAnswer. “Most often fuel filters are under the car, so the car has to be lifted some, and often you need a fuel line disconnect tool.” If your vehicle’s fuel filter is located inside the fuel tank, you probably only need to change it when you change the fuel pump. If that’s the case, you might want to leave the task to the pros, though, as it likely requires special tools. Here are the steps for replacing your fuel filter. Keep in mind that details vary from one vehicle to another, but the basic procedure is the same as I have described here.Cost for parts = $15 to $125.
Cost for professional labor = $30 to $100.
Time for DIY replacement = 15 to 60 minutes.
Tools Required
- Drain pan
- Fire extinguisher
- Garden hose connected to water source
- Needle-nose pliers
- Safety glasses
- Slot screwdriver
- Vehicle ramps (if fuel filter is mounted underneath the vehicle)
Materials Required
- Replacement fuel filter (must be correct size & type)
Project step-by-step (5)
Step 1
Relieve Fuel Pressure
- To replace a bad fuel filter, first locate the fuse or relay for your vehicle’s fuel pump and unplug it.
- Try to start the vehicle. If you disconnected the correct circuit, the engine will turn over but not start. It might also start and run for a few seconds before dying.
- Shut off the engine and let it cool, if it has been running.
Step 2
Find the Fuel Filter
- Check an auto repair manual to locate your vehicle’s fuel filter.
- Remove the replacement fuel filter from the box.
Step 3
Disconnect and Remove the Old Filter
- Connect your garden hose to the nearest water source, turn the water on at the source, then make sure the hose is within easy reach of the vehicle you’re working on.
- Pro tip: There’s a chance a small amount of fuel will squirt out of the lines when you disconnect the filter, and if any gets in your eyes you’ll need to wash it out right away.
- Put on your safety glasses, then drive your vehicle up on ramps if your filter is housed underneath your vehicle and you need extra clearance.
- Position your drain pan under the filter.
- Find, loosen and remove the fuel lines connected to either end of the filter.
- You may need to use pliers to remove retaining clips from the ends of the lines.
- Pro tip: Watch out for squirting gasoline and catch it in the drain pan, if necessary.
- You may need to use pliers to remove retaining clips from the ends of the lines.
- Loosen the screw clamp or bolts holding the fuel filter in position, then remove the filter and place it to one side.
Step 4
Install the New Filter
- Put the new filter in position, then tighten or clip it into place.
- Pro tip: Make sure it’s facing the correct way because fuel is only meant to flow one way through a filter. Look for an arrow on the filter body indicating direction of flow and orient the filter so the arrow points toward the engine.
- Connect the fuel lines to each end of the filter, then replace the retaining clips.
Step 5
Reinstall the Fuse or Relay
- Reinstall the fuel pump fuse or relay that you disconnected earlier.
- Try starting the vehicle. If it runs normally and there’s no fuel leaking from the new filter, the job is done.
FAQ
Can I drive my car with a bad fuel filter?
Yes, you can drive with a bad fuel filter, but it’s not a great idea because a clogged filter can cause poor acceleration and stalling, and may prevent your car from starting.
“If it’s only slightly dirty, you might get away with it for a while, but eventually, it could strain your fuel pump and lead to bigger, costly issues,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “If you’re noticing hesitation, rough idling, or trouble starting, it’s best to replace your fuel filter sooner rather than later.”
Driving with a bad fuel filter also runs the risk of ruining your fuel injectors, says Pyle. “One injector is much more expensive than the fuel filter,” he says. “Also, a clogged filter makes the fuel pump work harder, which can make it fail as well.”
How do I know which fuel filter to buy?
Check your owner’s manual, look it up on an auto parts retailer website or have the local auto parts store look up the correct one for you.
“If you’re replacing an old filter, the part number is usually printed on it,” says Watson. “Just make sure it matches your fuel system so everything fits and works properly.”
About the Experts
- Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair, has trained thousands of technicians and earned many industry awards, including Chevrolet Technician of the Year and Buick Service Master of the Year.
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer since 2006, where he answers hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day.
