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Russianblue · #95 01-19-2019, 02:12 PM

I know this is an ancient thread but I thought I would put in my 2 cents after changing my filter today. I did this on my 2003 in 2012 and remember it being a PITA. I had to go back and re-read everything to refresh on the process.

I read and read and read about the squeezy black connectors with blue clips and was pretty confused. In the end, they were VERY easy to get off (on my car anyway). I used a small flat head screwdriver and simply depressed the blue 'button' on top and slid them right off. I remembered from last time that those connectors weren't something that held up the process for me.

A battery powered ratchet, drill or impact helps TREMENDOUSLY to save time on this job. There are upwards of 15 bolts and nuts to remove. I think my 1/4" impact probably saved me 45 minutes. Took about 1 hour from start to finish. This is the kind of repair that typically drags out for me to twice the expected time. I was very pleased : )

The weird thing I had issues with was re-installing the 13mm bolts in several places. They seemed to get cross-threaded very easily. In the end, the solution was pretty simple. Like on many other repairs, don't snug up every bolt from the get-go. Get them all threaded while there is still the ability to position the cowling. The 10mm and 8mm were simple. The 13mm bolts required some finessing. Be careful not to cross thread them.

In order to avoid re-connecting the lines incorrectly like one poster got unlucky doing (twice I believe), I had the old filter hanging and moved one line at a time to the new filter.

I got the vacuum line off without ripping simply by taking a pair of pliers and gently twisting it loose at the filter. Once it broke free, it came off easily.

The 13mm bolts at the top-rear of the belly pan thing required me to use two 6 inch and one 3 inch extensions IIRC. They are way up in there. I used a swivel on the one closest to the driver's side, but that probably wasn't necessary. It wasn't necessary for reinstallation.

I didn't de-pressurize the fuel system at all. I collected only about 6 oz of fuel drippings in total. I let it drip into a cup with a rag in the bottom. Lots of dripping, no pressure release or spraying though. I wish i'd paid attention to the post suggesting to put the plastic caps from the new filter onto the old one as soon as you remove the lines. I can't believe I didn't think of that while I was doing it.

I'd have had basically ZERO fuel leakage from the filter.

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