Changing fuel filter on my ‘96 Base model

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Apr 23, 2023 | 06:25 PM

Biloger

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Changing fuel filter on my ‘96 Base model

I have a plugged up fuel filter and I’m trying to change it out. I’ve got the inlet fitting off but can’t get at the outlet (top fitting) so I thought I would disconnect the fuel lines at the rail and slide the filter down where I can get at it. Problem is I don’t know how the fuel lines disconnect. There is no shank to put a wrench on and the two rubber covers, one black and one white didn’t reveal anything when I pull them back. Do these lines just pull out of the female receivers? They are located near the back of the engine just before they go into the rail. Thanks for any help you can give.

Apr 23, 2023 | 06:56 PM

racerseks

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I did this recently myself. I bought a set of metal ones, at harbor fright...$5.$6, You need 3/8" and 5/16" sizes I believe. Harbor Freight item number is 38732. Good luck!

Apr 23, 2023 | 07:13 PM

Biloger

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Maybe I confused some of you with my post. My fuel filter has steel fittings at each end. The top end is the one I can’t get at so I thought if I disconnected the fuel lines where they enter close to the rail I can drop down the filter so I can get at the fitting. The fuel rail fittings are the ones that I can’t figure out. They don’t appear to be a “push release” type of fitting. It is just a small male tube slid into a larger female tube with plenty of room around the small tube. I would take a picture but haven’t figured out how to post it.

Apr 23, 2023 | 07:39 PM

Biloger

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Great thanks very much. I’ll hit Harbor Freight tomorrow.

Apr 23, 2023 | 08:13 PM

racerseks

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Biloger

Great thanks very much. I’ll hit Harbor Freight tomorrow.

Sure thing! All in all, it wasn't that bad of a job. The toughest part for me was getting the bracket bolt back in. I had trouble getting the fitting to line up, so loosened the bolt that holds the fuel line brackets to the car, to be able to wiggle it some. It worked better for me peeking at it from the front as opposed to from underneath. The tough part was pushing on the filter in order to get the bolt started for the bracket. Initially, I left the bracket in place, and only loosened it, but just couldn't get the line fitting to line up, so took the bracket off. I didn't want to risk cross-threading it, etc. Hopefully, you'll be able to get yours without having to take the bracket off.

Was well worth the effort though...could tell quite a difference once it was done...

Good luck...

Apr 23, 2023 | 08:24 PM

racerseks

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Biloger

Great thanks very much. I’ll hit Harbor Freight tomorrow.

Oh yea...While the lines were disconnected, I blew compressed air through my fuel lines from the back of the car. I duct taped a water bottle to the end...mostly I was curious to see...It blew out some pretty nasty stuff that was probably backed up by the filter, so might be a good complimentary thing to do while you have the lines off. If this is not advisable by any member, feel free to step-in. I'm definitely no expert...just a hobbyist :-)

Apr 24, 2023 | 05:43 PM

Biloger

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Well fellow Corvette lovers the fuel filter has been changed. I finally had to remove the supply and return fuel lines at the rail and just let them slide down to the floor where I could easily get at the filter fittings. I was able to get the bottom one but no way on the top one. Thanks to all that helped me out because otherwise I probably couldn’t have done it. Now it’s off to the back of the car to pull the sending unit/pump assembly and check it out plus clean the tank.
Again guys thanks for your help👊👊

Apr 24, 2023 | 11:41 PM

Yonker

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From: Indiana

Just for future reference it's easier to disconnect the bottom hard line of the fuel filter, loosen the fuel filter bracket, and pull the fuel filter, via the flexible fuel line, up into the engine compartment to get to the top fitting of the fuel filter.