Tried (and failed) to replace fuel filter in LT4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 285
Tried (and failed) to replace fuel filter in LT4
I thought it would be a good idea to set a baseline and install a few things in my "new" '96 CE LT4. I replaced the PCV valve...not too bad right under the driver's side fuel rail. OK soooo I drive the car up on ramps and crawl under. Holy Crap
The back of the fuel filter is accessable. But the front of it is behind the catalytic converter (or pup converter..whatever). There is no way to get two wrenches up there in order to remove it from the fuel line. So I thought if I freed up the filter from the bracket, maybe I could manuever the front so I could get wrenches squarely on the nuts. Guess what? The little bolt holding the filter bracket has a hard fuel line on top of it. So as it is unscrewed and moves upward it's going right into the fuel line. So it was after work and about 7:30PM so I put everything away. The only way I see to get two wrenches SQUARELY on the front nuts of the filter is to drop the front exhaust and move the converter out of the way.
Has anyone replaced the fuel filter on their '96 LT4?
I'd like to know how you did it.
Thanks,
Bob
The back of the fuel filter is accessable. But the front of it is behind the catalytic converter (or pup converter..whatever). There is no way to get two wrenches up there in order to remove it from the fuel line. So I thought if I freed up the filter from the bracket, maybe I could manuever the front so I could get wrenches squarely on the nuts. Guess what? The little bolt holding the filter bracket has a hard fuel line on top of it. So as it is unscrewed and moves upward it's going right into the fuel line. So it was after work and about 7:30PM so I put everything away. The only way I see to get two wrenches SQUARELY on the front nuts of the filter is to drop the front exhaust and move the converter out of the way. Has anyone replaced the fuel filter on their '96 LT4?I'd like to know how you did it.
Thanks,
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
I thought it would be a good idea to set a baseline and install a few things in my "new" '96 CE LT4. I replaced the PCV valve...not too bad right under the driver's side fuel rail. OK soooo I drive the car up on ramps and crawl under. Holy Crap The back of the fuel filter is accessable. But the front of it is behind the catalytic converter (or pup converter..whatever). There is no way to get two wrenches up there in order to remove it from the fuel line. So I thought if I freed up the filter from the bracket, maybe I could manuever the front so I could get wrenches squarely on the nuts. Guess what? The little bolt holding the filter bracket has a hard fuel line on top of it. So as it is unscrewed and moves upward it's going right into the fuel line. So it was after work and about 7:30PM so I put everything away. The only way I see to get two wrenches SQUARELY on the front nuts of the filter is to drop the front exhaust and move the converter out of the way. Has anyone replaced the fuel filter on their '96 LT4?
I'd like to know how you did it.
Thanks,
Bob
The back of the fuel filter is accessable. But the front of it is behind the catalytic converter (or pup converter..whatever). There is no way to get two wrenches up there in order to remove it from the fuel line. So I thought if I freed up the filter from the bracket, maybe I could manuever the front so I could get wrenches squarely on the nuts. Guess what? The little bolt holding the filter bracket has a hard fuel line on top of it. So as it is unscrewed and moves upward it's going right into the fuel line. So it was after work and about 7:30PM so I put everything away. The only way I see to get two wrenches SQUARELY on the front nuts of the filter is to drop the front exhaust and move the converter out of the way. Has anyone replaced the fuel filter on their '96 LT4?I'd like to know how you did it.
Thanks,
Bob
Now pull the fuse for the fuel pump and start the car and let it run until it quits. This will get the fuel out of the lines, if you don't do this you'll be sorry. The screw that holds the bracket on will come out and the hardline will move out of the way, just don't crank on it with a prybar or anything crazy. You can remove the line from the bottom and then take the bracket off that holds the lines and slide the filter down.
This bracket is where the fuel lines run into the rail on the passengers side. It is above the passengers side fuel rail cover. Do a search for IDIOT changes fuel filter and have a laugh on me.
Last edited by JD'S WHITE 93; Apr 19, 2007 at 09:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
On my 96', you release the back connection, then with a fuel line release tool ($6.00 anywhere), disconnect the fuel line at the fuel rail and pull down in one peice.Change the filter and reverse the process. Try it again.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
I did mine a little different. I got a stubby wrench on the front nut and used a ratchet with appropriate socket on the back of the filter and spun it off. The bracket was loose enough to allow it to turn. Then pushed the return line up and loosened the bracket bolt and removed the bracket and filter. I even cut my filter open to see what it looked like inside (very dirty). I never thought of loosening the top line. I did not drain the line which as mentioned in a problem unless you have a way to cap it which I did.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 285
Thanks folks for your ideas. I will give it a shot when I have time to go slowly.
96blklt4, that is a clever idea. I never would have thought of using a socket wrench and countering it with a stubby. Was it hard to maneuver the stubby wrench over the converter? I would worry about not having the stubby snug and tight and when I turned the socket wrench, all the torque was supported by the stubby wrench and did not twist the fuel line.
Trebor
96blklt4, that is a clever idea. I never would have thought of using a socket wrench and countering it with a stubby. Was it hard to maneuver the stubby wrench over the converter? I would worry about not having the stubby snug and tight and when I turned the socket wrench, all the torque was supported by the stubby wrench and did not twist the fuel line.
Trebor
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
Thanks folks for your ideas. I will give it a shot when I have time to go slowly.
96blklt4, that is a clever idea. I never would have thought of using a socket wrench and countering it with a stubby. Was it hard to maneuver the stubby wrench over the converter? I would worry about not having the stubby snug and tight and when I turned the socket wrench, all the torque was supported by the stubby wrench and did not twist the fuel line.
Trebor
96blklt4, that is a clever idea. I never would have thought of using a socket wrench and countering it with a stubby. Was it hard to maneuver the stubby wrench over the converter? I would worry about not having the stubby snug and tight and when I turned the socket wrench, all the torque was supported by the stubby wrench and did not twist the fuel line.
Trebor