Fuel Filter Change

[squeasel]

I plan to change the fuel filter today (1996 Tahoe 5.7L, 4-dr, 4wd). I am new to this forum but did not find a DIY on this. So it seems pretty straight forward. The fuel filter is held in place by a metal strap and it appears one bolt needs to be removed to release the strap. The filter is attached front and back with what might be different sized fittings and there seems to be enough room for tools and hands.

Will I find any tricks or complications? Or is this job straight-forward?

What do you use for fuel spillage? And how much is going to spill?

Oh, and since I have done little work on this truck ... metric or SAE or "it depends"?

Much thanks.

 

[squeasel]

Fuel filter on the 5.7L 4dr 4wd was an easy change. You will need a 5/8" open end wrench (16mm will likely work), and an adjustable wrench or 20mm open end. The filter is held in place by a plastic housing that seems fragile so be careful. I found that I could spin the filter inside the plastic housing but if you can't, some lubricant might be called for. Using the adjustable wrench on the filter fitting and the 5/8" on the fuel lines I loosened front and back. There was no fuel spillage until I pulled the fuel lines off the filter. I wadded towels underneath but that didn't catch all the fuel. I then pushed the filter forward to remove from the plastic holder. Try to keep the filter on the horizontal as there is plenty of fuel left in it as well. Installation is the opposite of removal. I put a decent amount of torque when refitting the fuel lines. No leaks. I used a WIX filter. The job might take 20 minutes.

 

[lesterl]

Yeah, its an easy job, I usually use a round oil catch pan to catch the fuel..... put that in the lawnmower when I am done....

 

[Andrew99Tahoe]

if you havent done this yet, be sure to unscrew the fuel cap. this releases any pressure in the line

 

[squeasel]

@andrew ... the fuel cap is a good add. I had released the pressure when doing the pressure test so I may have lucked out.

 

[Gregski]

I may be ignorant but how can there be pressure in the fuel tank when the gas caps are vented, and or what does that have to do with the fuel line to the fuel filter when it is past the fuel pump, if there is any pressure in the tank for some reason it is blocked off at the pump which sits in the gas tank

 

[lesterl]

Gas cap vents can plug up, but the pressure that builds is usually a vacume (would suck the fuel back into the tank IIRC....)

 

[Gregski]

Gas cap vents can plug up, but the pressure that builds is usually a vacume (would suck the fuel back into the tank IIRC....)

again nothing to do with replacing the fuel filter 4 feet down the line, not being rude just have replaced a couple of these on different cars, and it's a job, not difficult, but a job, a little messy, a little gasoline will pour out of the line that is still sitting there past the fuel pump and out of the old filter, don't get it in your eyes, and you may wanna put the cigarette out while you do this, LOL

 

[NicoJones]

Might be obvious...don't forget to disconnect battery

 

[T69807]

My experience wasn't that easy. I had to reach up through a 6x10 inch space between the frame rail, the two transfer case supports (I think), and what looked like a torsion bar. Biggest problem, the steel fuel lines didn't have much give at all, so the *second* weekend I lassoed the filter neck with a long piece of para cord and put my foot through a loop at the other end. It took the strength of my foot to slide the filter a fraction of inch to free the rear fuel line. Other than that, it was routine. Oh, and I discovered that a two-ounce fuel filter holds about a quart of gasoline.

 

[Tahoebuzz]

unscrew fuel cap to release pressure, and just for safety you might wanna unplug the battery in case the pump kicks on for some strange reason (GF or kids playing around). And maybe a small Tupperware to catch whatever gas comes out. I like to blow into my filter after its removed and then blow into the new one just to see how clogged it really was