Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: SR71blackbird on May 31, 2010, 01:04:20 PM

Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 31, 2010, 01:04:20 PM
my car is acting sluggy so im going to change out the fuel filter. i was wondering how much gas i should expect to run out of the lines when doing so.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: 88turbo on May 31, 2010, 01:06:54 PM
not a whole lot, you will lose some but not enough to really worry about.  make sure you bleed off the fuel pressure at the valve in the fuel rail before you disconnect the fuel lines ;)
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: vinnietbird on May 31, 2010, 01:08:49 PM
Not even a small bowl full of fuel. Very little.Once you unplug the fuel lines from the old filter,cap the ends and you'll lose even less fluid.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 31, 2010, 01:14:26 PM
Quote from: 88turbo;323762
not a whole lot, you will lose some but not enough to really worry about.  make sure you bleed off the fuel pressure at the valve in the fuel rail before you disconnect the fuel lines ;)


thank you for your help 88turbo and vinnie. im relatively new to this stuff, how do i bleed  the fuel pressue at the valve?
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on May 31, 2010, 01:44:48 PM
You can also unplug the inertia switch in your trunk, start the car and let it run out of fuel.  Start it again until it dies and that should get most of it...but you will still have some run out.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: 88turbo on May 31, 2010, 06:19:53 PM
in the firewall side on the intake on the fuel rail there is a little shrader valve, remove the cap and push it with a pointy object (watch your eyes and do this with the key off).
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on May 31, 2010, 06:27:29 PM
I generally just unhook the lines at the filter (once again watch your eyes). My way looking at it is; if your going to lose fuel, I would just soon lose it under the car rather than under the hood. JMHO :D
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: Haystack on May 31, 2010, 08:29:10 PM
x2, also, I would replace the regulator while your at it.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 01, 2010, 02:59:47 AM
alright thank you very much for your help. i appreciate it
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: sarjxxx on June 01, 2010, 09:17:15 PM
ha ha I just clamp each end of the line w/ vice grips. (not too tight you don't wanna damage them) and pull them off the filter. works every time. no fuel loss
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: vinnietbird on June 01, 2010, 10:54:21 PM
I don't lose much of anything through the lines,it's the filter itself.That';s why I sometimes cap the ends....depending on where I change it.Most of the time I just swap it in the Autozone lot....takes 3 minutes,and don't care if I spill a little.LOL. I swap mine 3 times a year.They are cheap,and easy to swap,plus,no worries ever.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 02, 2010, 07:37:27 AM
alright thanks for the tips! im changing it today and i'll you know how it goes.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on June 02, 2010, 09:15:41 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;323976
I don't lose much of anything through the lines,it's the filter itself.That';s why I sometimes cap the ends....depending on where I change it.Most of the time I just swap it in the Autozone lot....takes 3 minutes,and don't care if I spill a little.LOL. I swap mine 3 times a year.They are cheap,and easy to swap,plus,no worries ever.


Lol...I just changed mine over the weekend.  1st time since 2005.:dunce:
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 02, 2010, 10:41:49 AM
IF you have a nearly full tank of gas, it's possible for fuel to siphon from the tank(esp if the rear is high), either be sure the front is higher than rear or change it with a 1/4 tank...
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 03, 2010, 10:27:32 PM
haha so the clip on the backside gave me one hell of a fight so i broke after awhile. it feels good doing stuff yourself on cars. thanks again guys
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: 88turbo on June 03, 2010, 10:29:21 PM
those clips can be a pain sometimes but they are a pretty good idea
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 04, 2010, 03:01:47 AM
Quote from: 88turbo;324197
those clips can be a pain sometimes but they are a pretty good idea


i agree with both statements. my fingers started to hurt trying to get the one in the back out. doing it all took my 13 minutes for my first run at it.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: sarjxxx on June 12, 2010, 03:07:28 AM
Quote from: SR71blackbird;324216
i agree with both statements. my fingers started to hurt trying to get the one in the back out. doing it all took my 13 minutes for my first run at it.

Use a screwdriver next time. Just pry it right out.
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 13, 2010, 03:26:59 PM
thanks for the tip. it sounds alot less painful
Title: changing fuel filter?
Post by: vinnietbird on June 13, 2010, 05:38:40 PM
Now you have a grasp on it.This is a lot of thread for a fuel filter swap.LOL.