How to replace the fuel filter?

I have a 2001 GMC safari van and am about to replace the fuel filter. I am not familiar with auto mechanics but I am quite handy (and short of funds to have this done at a garage).

If I disconnect the battery and use some pliers to do the job will it go ok or is this device constructed in such a complicated way that parts will fall out when the nuts are loosened? I dont mind if some gasoline sprays all over the place.

Reply to
ississauga
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I bet you won't like it if the fuel sprays in your face though. Relieve the fuel pressure first.

Reply to
Steve Mackie

Usually these things are just canisters in-line with the fuel line. Inside is a filtering media. The only complication is usually the special connectors that *might* be fitted to each end of the canister to seal it with the pressurized fuel line. You "MIGHT" need a special tool available at any auto parts store to take off this connector without damaging it.

When you go to buy the replacement filter, ask for any *special tool* that might be required to replace it with. I see them being sold all the time, and they are quite inexpensive.

Lg

Reply to
Lawrence Glickman

You will mind if it's under high pressure, and some cars have pressures over

100 psi at the fuel injector rail.

Start the van and pull the fuel pump fuse. The engine will die quickly and then you can work on the filter. Whatever pressure is in the line then won't be much.

Reply to
Bob M.

His 2001 safari van doesn't.

What if the fuel pump fuse also powers the fuel injectors and/or the PCM?

Reply to
aarcuda69062

Agreed, unplug the fuel pump/sender at the tank.

Steve

Reply to
Steve Mackie

Look under the hood at the fuel rail. See if you see a spot that has a cap on it like you see on a air valve to a tire. This is where you would connect a manual fuel gauge to test for pressure. It is spring loaded like the air valve on the tire. Turn off the vehicle, and press the spring on this connection down. The fuel will squirt out until the pressure is down to zero. You can buy a fuel pressure gauge that will screw into the manifold that has a bleed line off the gauge. If you have access bleed the pressure into a gas can. My mechanic always opens my gas cap. (not sure why but he does). Uses the required tool to remove spring connection fittings if your filter is equipped with them or loosen the flare nuts if equipped to remove the filter from the line. Once new filter is in place, close gas cap and remove any manifold you may have installed on the fuel rail. Turn key over but do not start the vehicle. Do this three times to ensure fuel has reach the injectors then try to start the vehicle. Check for leaks.

Sarge

Reply to
Sarge

Don't do this, unplug the fuel pump/sender and run the vehicle until it stalls. Restart a couple of times to make sure as much pressure is bled as possible.

Steve

Reply to
Steve Mackie

All other responses aside, wrap a rag around it. You'll get an ounce at most. Geez! The girlies that post here......

"When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all."

- Justice William O. Douglas

Reply to
MisterSkippy

Yeah, on both my '88 Safari and my '99 Yukon I just unscrewed the filter and caught the little bit of gas with a rag. No big deal. The OP should use two wrenches though, one on the filter hex and one on the fuel line nut, not pliers.

WW

Reply to
WaterWatcher

Maybe unplug the fuel pump????

Reply to
Bob M.

That will work if you can get to the plug easily enough.

My reply was meant to remind that pulling the fuel pump fuse technique does not always work -if- that fuse also supplies power to the injectors and/or the PCM. i.e., killing everything at once won't deplete the pressure in the system.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

On my Merc Sable ( fancy Taurus ) it says to unplug fuel inertia switch and run engine until it stalls. Later, after filter change, plug back in, turn key on but don't try to start. Do this 3 or 4 times, and then try to start engine.

This is on a FORD. I don't know if OP's vehicle has a fuel inertia switch. Would be nice if it did, but he can just unplug wires going to fuel pump? Cable harness?

Lg

Reply to
Lawrence Glickman

No GM doesn't use that item thank god. The GM system has redundancy. If the fuel pump relay dumps, it will still start once oil pressure comes up. If you know where the inertia switch is on a "found on road dead", you can smack that area on the outside of the car with the palm of your hand and disable the car. Most people don't know about the bloody thing, so they end up calling a wrecker for a tow to the shop. More than a few tow truck operators don't know about it ether. If the inertia switch goes bad your not going to get the vehicle started. and there have been more than a few times I have had customers tell me they hit a bad pot hole or a bump and the car just shut down. Great idea ford. Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

It is to keep gasoline from burning you alive in a crash. So I don't think it is a -bad- idea as long as you know where it is, what it does, and how to Reset it. On my car, BIG red switch to Reset it. In trunk near rear wheel well. Can't imagine anybody not noticing this monstrosity, especially with its neon-red dayglo color ;-)

Also, front crash sensors, one on each side of radiator. IOW, don't bump into ANYTHING with this car, including a shopping cart, or you might not get home except in a taxi.

Lg

Reply to
Lawrence Glickman

NO!!!! FORD's = Found On Road DEAD, Fix or Repair Daily, Factory Ordered Road Disaster, Factory Ordered Rebuilt Dodge, For Only Retarded Drivers, Ford Only Rolls Downhill!!!

try this -- take a large hammer and hit the rear bumper hard -- guess what happens?

BBA

Reply to
Billy Bad Assr©

Well way back in 1971 Chevy came out with a new car called the Vega. A great piece of automotive engineering that was unfortunately about 20 years a head of the times. No steel sleeves in the aluminum block, silicon injected into mold as aluminum begins to solidify, silicon goes to surfaces. Special hone process to smooth silicon in cylinders, chrome molly rings (one of the first production cars to use them). and a strict oil change recommendation. So you have chrome moly rings riding on thin layer of oil on a thin layer of silicone. If you loose oil pressure, the rings scrap the silicone off and score the cylinder walls. So GM tied the oil pressure sending unit to the fuel pump circuit(Yup, another first for american iron, in tank electric fuel pump). Nice side affect, if car is in accident, and fuel line busted, engine stalls, oil pressure goes away, fuel pump shuts off. This system worked so well on the accident side, that GM continued to use it on vehicles with electric fuel pumps. (I have a fond spot, make that a severe love affair with Vegas)

You and I as gear heads know about the inertia switch. Grandpa and Grandma Smith haven't a clue, and I fear often get taken to the cleaners over that inertia, as do many other ford owners who like 70% of car owners would be hard pressed to tell you where the oil dip stick is on their vehicle.

Reply to
Whitelightning

Tell me this is Satire. Every Vega I've ever seen was so shot-through with RUST it looked like it came from a salvage yard. The body work on those Vegas left much to be desired.

Today's engines are being sold as "maintenance free" to the public, but you and I know _better_. In some ways, they are easier to work on; less moving parts and gizmos, in some ways they are harder to work on; computer modules with secret algorithms and special factory programming. It all washes out in the end. You take care of your car, IT will take care of you. Ignore your car, it will let you down, sooner if not later. Some people have money to burn; I'm not one of em.

Lg

Reply to
Lawrence Glickman

Air bags only deploy at a variable velocity based on weight detected in front seat(s) and distance between passenger and steering column as measured by electric-seat motor monitoring equipment. So nothing will happen, except you will get a police ticket for criminal damage to property. Or maybe you will trigger fuel inertia switch, which is re-settable in all of about 3 seconds.

Lg

Reply to
Lawrence Glickman

bah, your no fun....

BBA

Reply to
Billy Bad Assr©

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