Fuel Filters suck!!!! (When you have to change them) I just finished changing it and the son of a bitch hoses would not come off for nothing. Eventually I grabbed a flat head screw driver and pried them off. It definetly needed to be changed. It was considerably heavier than the new one. I also took a wrench and knocked it against the filtes. There was a pretty big differnece in sound as well. New one was much more hollow sounding. Anybody have a special trick to getting those bad boys off?

This may sound odd, but I always use a bit of vasaline (sp) on the filter nipples. You can always go aftermarket for a fuel filter.

Usually a pair of pliers and twist.


Just make sure that you replace it with a metal one. The plastic ones are a disaster waiting to hapen.

The first time I changed mine, I had problems getting the hose off, so I just cut it a little :D

Not the best thing to do, but I was getting frustrated, after that, every other time I changed it, the hose came off easier.

Originally posted by Fast91SER
The first time I changed mine, I had problems getting the hose off, so I just cut it a little :D

Not the best thing to do, but I was getting frustrated, after that, every other time I changed it, the hose came off easier.

I think whoever had my car before me did that too...it may have made it easier for them the first time, but i know I had a bitch of a time trying to get the new filter on with the shorter hoses!!!

Originally posted by Soopastank
I also took a wrench and knocked it against the filtes. There was a pretty big differnece in sound as well. New one was much more hollow sounding.

Could this be because the old filter was still dripping wet with fuel, and the new one was dry? ;)

Originally posted by NismoSER


Could this be because the old filter was still dripping wet with fuel, and the new one was dry? ;)

Lol..maybe, I did pour out what fuel was left in the filter before I tried..but I might have not gotten it all.

As bad as this sounds, if you want to check if the one you took off is all clogged up, blow through it (I forgot which end). I did this when I changed mine for the first time, and it was hard for met to blow through it, compared to the new one. Try to clean it good before you do this. :)

Originally posted by NismoSER
I had a bitch of a time trying to get the new filter on with the shorter hoses!!!

The stock fuel hose for the '91 was short to begin with. You may want to change out that lower hose with a new longer one to help aid in future changes and to prevent fuel from leaking from an old cracked fuel hose.

DON'T CUT IT..lol.

Its always tight the first time :D After that its much easier. The vasaline idea is good. If you want they do make a hand tool that pulls hoses away (vacume lines, fuel lines) without stretching or breaking. I love it and it helps alot especially with the fuel filter since the hose is already short and in a somewhat difficult position

When i changed mine, i couldnt get the top hose off, so i cut it a little and then i was able to get the bottom one off by holding the filter and twisting the hose. I still have enough slack in the top one to be cool for the next time.

LOL same problem here, can't get the hose off until i got my magic plier

Where do they sell one of those tools to pull hoses away? Iv never seen one.

Something that works well to pry hoses off - find the smallest open end wrench that will fit over the metal tube part of whatever the hose is connected to. Then you can pry the hose off the end with the open ended wrench.

Does this make sense?

My strategy for removing hose first involves grapping the hose with a pair of plyers and rotating the hose - just to try to break any seal. Then pry it off - usually works pretty well.

If its really stubborn, just cut it off and replace the entire hose. :) Well, with the fuel lines this might not be an option here...

Aaron

Pry the hose and squirt some WD40. Be liberal with it.

Go make some coffee.

Come back and it should be a piece o cake.

I had to cut mine off, it wouldn't budge at all, likely because it had never been changed. The resulting lack of slack was tough to deal with and next time it's done the hose ought to be replaced unless it comes off easily. I tried grabbing it with pliers and it wouldn't budge but the hose was getting garfed up. Even after I cut it I had to cut the short piece off of the filter itself and there was still rubber stuck to the nipple. IIRC the bottom side hose came right off. I put in one of the plastic ones, never even thought of how brittle that sucker is going to be someday and will likely break. Is there a specific brand or store that carries the metal ones? Or do I have to pay a $tealership for one? I won't liekly be changing it again on the XE anyways, but it helps to know for future reference. Thanks.

i got the purolator fuel filter and it was metal. i had the same problem as all of you with pulling the hoses off...haha and i tried like 3 weeks after shoulder surgery, wouldnt recommend it. but damn i had the same problem when i took my throttle body off. those hoses just wouldnt come off..and they were at an awkward angle to pull them off. those of you who have taken your tb off..what do you suggest?