I need to replace my fuel filter on my 88' 35th, just wondering if any of you had any tips or ideas on how to make it quickest and easiest... :cool:

Thanks in advance... :cheers:

 

On a rack is easiest.The guy that did mine ignored my advise of depressureizing it.He just rapped a rag around it as he loosened it & the fuel dripped into a pan.
It did save time.

 

Number-1, get the right size "flare" wrenches. De-pressurize the fuel system, catch the gas that leaks and be extremly cautious with the gas. The rest is straight foreward. Good luck Sid.

 

:cheers: All of the above!

Use the GM rep;acement filter, the others are a little smaller diameter which could allow them to rub in the holder.

If you use anither filter, put a piece of rubber tube around it if it isn't held firmly by the bracket

:steering: [ I love that Lil Guy! ]

 

What symptoms lead you to believe that the filter needs to be replaced? Replacement of the fuel filter is not part of the routine maintenance schedule. It doesn't harm anything by replacing it, but if your vette is operating properly, there is no need to replace the filter.

 

Respectfully disagree. Regular fuel filter changes, (believe the book is around 30,000) is a very good idea. Some even change around 20-25,000 miles.

Partially clogged filters are big contributors to premature fuel pump failure. Pumps work harder against clogged filters (even partially clogged with no acceleration problems) and increases wear. When changing pumps, some shops routinely change the filter. A good practice. Further, keeping debris from injectors is also a good idea.

After removing the filter on my 90, residual gas in the filter looked like mud, with nary a problem indicated.

Regular filter changes, a good idea.

dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks

 

I agree. On my 90 there was rust in the filter. They should be changed regularly.

 

Absolutly! :withstupid:

 

I got to jump on the bandwagon too, you should change the filter on a regular basis. During normal street conditions alot of times there will be no apparent problems but at the track under WOT a partially clogged filter will cause a loss of performance. Why kill a day of fun.

 

Got the directions for changing it on a 93 on my home page.

 

Make sure the car is cool, especially the exhaust. You might not get all the pressure out of the system and if you don't, fuel will spray out and could land on the exhaust.

Don't ask me how I know :banghead:


[Modified by VetBoy89, 9:43 AM 2/6/2003]

 

Thanks for the polite response, dlmeyers, et al. As a commercial fisherman for 25 years (during my off-days while employed as an engineer at IBM) I appreciate preventive maintenance, as there is no "road service" 200 miles off-shore. As a pilot, dl, you have mandatory maintenance schedules. I own 6 fuel injected vehicles (including my vette), and all are equipped with fuel pressure gages. I learned the value of this gage early-on in the fish business maintaining two diesel engines. The vette fuel filter has no maintenance schedule. It is serviced as required. Since most vette owners do not have fuel pressure gages installed, they are not aware of any reduction in fuel pressure, so a routine replacement of the filter is acceptable. Both the part and labor are inexpensive. Why not?
Since I am able to monitor fuel pressure loss on all vehicles, my filters are changed when ever a drop in pressure is observed, which is very rare. As an example: my Cadillac -110K miles has required one filter change at 90K miles resulting from a minor change in pressure. My vette has 42K miles, and zero drop in fuel pressure. Those of you who are experiencing fuel contamination problems should evaluate your fuel supplier, and your fuel tank. Vettes stored over winter months are subject to condensation forming in the fuel tank causing rust, as the moisture settles at the bottom of the tank. To alleviate this condition, all vehicles stored over the winter should have the tanks filled to reduce condensation, and engines should be started periodically to circulate the fuel. Fuel tanks should be analyzed for rust contamination after storage.




[Modified by Oldman, 7:45 PM 2/6/2003]

 

Your points are well taken.
I would add this to our discussion.
Fuel system pressure AFTER the filter will typically be around 39.5lbs, system or regulated pressure. (Corvette) When system pressure begins to drop, the VOLUME of fuel has decreased to the point where pressure can no longer be maintained, and filter servicing is required. (Assume proper pump operation) Now when filters begin to clog (PARTIALLY or FULLY), the pump will start to work harder and develop higher pressures going into the filter. This pressure can increase to the "head pressure" or whatever pump people call it. We begin to see a differential pressure develop across the filter. Depending on where the pressure gauge(s) are located, one could compute the differential pressure by subtracting the output from the input and differential pressure is obtained, likely indicating filter blockage. The input pressure becomes higher than output pressure. Delta P. Some filter systems even have a button that pops indicating the differential pressure has increased to the design point and functions as a filter warning system. Some systems even add a light for filter bypass. I have seen systems that measure both pump pressure and regulated pressure. You then do your own math to determine any problems. Whatever.

My point is this, a partially clogged filter can generate pump pressures high enough to cause premature failure. This condition may not even be noted by the driver. Insidious failure mode for sure. Some suggest the best defense against this is routine replacement of filters. The key measure for filter blockage is differential pressure and few systems actually measure this, due to the expense of additional hardware.

Be happy to go fishing sometime.

Keep the greasy side down.

dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks