Relieving fuel system pressure prior to fuel filter replacement.

Thanks for the great advice about the serpentine belt. Went smooth.

Now for a question about the fuel filter. Actually, it's really about the relieving fuel system pressure step that the Haynes manual recommends prior to replacement. Mine's an 2002 S10 V6-4.3L

Questions

- What's the worst that can happen if I don't relieve the pressure (other than maybe opening the gas cap) and take out the fuel filter. If it's just a little spit gas that comes out, then I don't see that as a problem. If it will cause more problems, then I do see it as a problem. Haynes manual makes a big deal out of it like the world will end if you don't relieve the pressure and they say you can get hurt if you do so. If all that happens is a small amount of gasoline shoots out, then no biggie. I'll just make sure I have a tank to catch the gas and plenty of rags handy.

- To relieve the pressure, is it enough for me to just open the gas tank and remove the fuel pump fuse and then let the engine run until it sputters to a halt? Some engines talk of a pressure valve. I'm not sure I know where that is.

Now for the dumb question (hey, sorry.. I'm not a certified mechanic. Just a weekend DIY)

- When the engine is off and the gas tank is full. If I remove the fuel filter, can I be assured that the fuel line will be shut closed so that fuel does not constantly run out of the fuel line before I have a chance to put in the new filter? Is it not the function of the fuel pump to keep the line closed while the engine is off?

that is all and thanks again.

Fumes are minimized by the fuel nozzle collar (if properly held against the filler neck) while pumping gas. Having a little gasoline spray out is definitely more of a fire hazard anytime. Good luck and may the force be with you...

thanks... If that's all it is, then I'll just open the gas cap and do the "thingee with the fuel pump fuse". I won't bother trying to figure out where the darn pressure release valve is. I can handle a little gas squirting out *and* I do have a fire extinguisher. However, is this really any more of a fire hazard than someone talking on a cell phone while pumping gas at a gas station? Ha Ha!

why take the cap off ?

just crack the fittings and have a rag to wrap around it to soak up the gas, it's not much

Just did mine, and I let mine sit over night so that all exhaust etc was cool and simply had a towel ready, cracked the fittings and soaked up the remaining gas. The amount of gas that drained is what was left in the lines. The only problem I had, if you want to call it a problem, is releasing the small plastic clips holding the fuel line. Was trying to be careful not to break them.

The fuel pressure valve that they are referring to is on the fuel rail just before the injectors. It will have a cap on it and will look like a stem of a tire on the inside.

It is best to relieve the pressure on the fuel line before removing filter for safety purpose. It will reduce gasoline from spraying all over the place. It will reduce the fire hazard.

This is a link to some instructions someone wrote for a 2000 Chevy Pickup.

The fuel pressure can be released safely by removing the fuel pump fuse and let the engine run until it dies or by hooking a hose to the fuel pressure test port Valve and bleed into a gasoline container. Loosing the nut side of the filter can cause gasoline to leak and spray. What happens if you think you have removed all the pressure and you loosen the nut to far and it strips the threads from the end of the fitting.

Sarge

Changed my old '95 S10 fuel filter lots, have changed my 2001 Impala filter a few times. Never had any "spraying", mostly a little leakage. As said previously, best done cool and with a fire extinguisher at hand. That said, you're only going to lose a couple of shot glasses of fuel at most. I, too, use a couple of rags to catch any spillage (and dispose of them carefully). Long-nosed (needlenose) pliers work well at squeezing the plastic tips on the fitting on the intake end. Hopefully it goes without saying, don't do this with your face right under the fuel filter ...

-= Larry A.