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How to change your fuel filter

Posted on Jan 22, 2009 by Josh Merva in How To

This article was submitted by Tom Fraley aka MountaineerTom. Thanks Tom!

This covers changing a fuel filter on a ‘99 Extended Cab Silverado. Other models and years will be similar, if not the same. I’ve heard some newer models have the fuel filter in the tank. If so, this procedure most likely will be of no help. Of course, remember that your working around gasoline, so don’t have an open flame in the area and protect your eyes from getting gasoline in them by wearing some sort of eye protection. Wearing some latex gloves is a good idea too.

Relieve some of the fuel pressure from the system by removing the fuel tank cap. You’ll still get some fuel to come out of the lines, so having some rags handy is a plus. I placed a small bucket under the filter to catch any that may come out. The fuel filer is mounted on the inside of the driver’s side frame rail.

If you remove the nuts (on the outside of the frame rail) that hold the filter bracket in place along with popping the fuel line (going from the filter to the engine) out of the clips that hold it to the frame rail it will make it easier to move that line out of the way so you have more room to get the filters in and out of the bracket. Using two wrenches, place one on the nut that is attached to the filter, and use another one to turn the fuel line nut. A regular open-end wrench is fine for the nuts on the filter, but a flare-nut wrench is recommended on the fuel line nuts. (17mm is the correct size) It will help to avoid rounding the corners off of the fuel line nuts, which can be done very easily. If that happens, you will most likely have to replace the entire fuel line. If you do use a regular wrench on the fuel lines, just be careful not to round off the corners. Be prepared for some fuel to spray out when loosening the first line and some to run out of the lines and filter when you get it all disconnected. Once both lines are disconnected, maneuver the bracket and fuel lines so you can pull the filter out from the front of the bracket.

Check your lines for serviceable o-rings. Also, make sure they ARE THERE! Mine was missing one. I ended up picking up a package of 0-rings from one of the local parts stores.

All that is left to do is put the new fuel filter in the bracket, reconnect the fuel lines, snap any fuel lines back into their retainers, and reinstall the bracket nuts. When installing the new filter, look for an arrow pointing out which way the fuel should flow. You want make sure you have the filter set up to flow from the tank to the engine. When you go to restart the truck, it may take an extra crank or two of the ignition to get fuel back into the lines so the truck will start. Fuel that comes out of the lines and filter will remove some of the waxy coating that is sprayed on the frames for protection. After the job is completed, you can spray some aftermarket undercoating from any local parts store to cover any areas that need it.

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Tags: Fuel Filter, Maintenance