Car repair question

[slipperyslope]

Ok I am not a complete moron about cars in that I can change spark plugs and change the oil. I want to know how difficult it is to change a fuel filter? The fuel filter on my truck is 70,000 miles old and my truck is becoming harder to start and loses power during acceleration. I am already going to replace the spark plugs. I hope my fuel pump is not dead. I think it is the fuel filter though.

Should I do it myself(low on cash) or is it such a hassle that I should take it into a shop??

Jim

 

[yakko]

The feul filter could be easy could be hard. You really have to locate it and decide for yourself.

A good example is my car. I drive a 92 Jetta II. On older Jetta IIs that use a high pressure feul system are harder because they have bolt on feul lines at the filter while my car which uses a low pressure feul pump just has clamps. They filters are in the same place underneath the car but the difference betweent clamp on hoses and bolt on hoses can mean the difference of 20 minutes work(possibly more if the bolts are stubborn)

Locate your filter and decide for yourself. If you choose to do it keeep a fire extinguisher close at hand for obvious reasons. Burns suck.

 

[jonnyGURU]

It depends on the vehicle and where the fuel filter is located.

I for one would change any fuel filter on any vehicle in a heart beat, but level of difficulty varies wildly. If you were took simply look in a Chilton's shop rate book, you'd see rates on a fuel filter R&R ranging anywhere from .5 to 2.0.

What's the truck?

 

[shabby]

Its easy as pie.... mmmm pie

The fuel filter is probably located somewhere near the gas tank, its about the size of a pop can. Just follow the fuel line from the tank and you'll find it.
Safety first, disconnect the battery. Disconnect the clips on the hoses holding the fuel filter, before taking the hoses off get ready to seal them up with something or fuel will spill everywhere Dont be smoking while doing this
Now connect the hoses to the new filter, make sure the arrow on the filter is pointing to the front of the car(fuel flows that way) and reconnect the clips.
Its that simple

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Replacing the filter is cake...once you locate and get to it. Usually just a pair of hose clamps and some yanking.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Actually guys, the fuel filter is not always by the tank. I can think of a number of Fords that have the filter under the hood and is actually awkward to get to because of it's location behind the block. Also, as Yakko stated, some systems have fuel filters that are bolted onto high pressure lines. These also tend to be under the hood.

You can't take for granted that all vehicles are the same.

 

[Viperoni]

I highly doubt the fuel filter is the problem, although you should change it

Put in one of those fuel system / combustion chamber cleaners before the fuel filter.
It did wonders for my 86 Parisienne (170k )
If it doesn't work, do the filter.
Order:

Fuel treatment
Plugs
Fuel Filter
Lighter right foot

 

[Soybomb]

Don't forget too that if you have a fuel injected vehicle to get fuel injection hose clamps, and if you need to replace the fuel hose around it, replace it with fuel injection fuel line. You really don't want to break a fuel line

 

[slipperyslope]

OK i have a 95 dodge ram 1500 2wd 5.2L V8.

The reason I suspect the fuel filter is the problem is because it is getting progressively worse as time goes by although it could be a bad catalitic(SP.) converter. I have tried the fuel system cleaners in my truck and it is not doing any good. I am replacing the spark plugs today anyways because they are due. I figure that since the fuel filter has never been replaced it won't hurt to do it.

Thanks for the encouragement and keep the opinions coming.....

Jim

 

[Soybomb]

Definatley replace your fuel filter, not replacing them is one of the leading causes of fuel pump failure! If you think your cat might be bad crawl underneat and tap it gently with a rubber mallet. If it sounds lik marbles rolling around its gone bad. At your mileage you should definately replace your fuel filter though, and you're getting to the point where a new oxygen sensor wouldnt hurt!

 

[squirrel dog]

I dont know what type of truck you have,but at the 50-60,000 range some manufactors reccomend you change the fuel filter,the smog valve,the plugs and plug wires.Also the timing belt/fan belt,all hoses.Get my drift?My wifes car is an Impala Super Sport.The first scheduled tune up from the dealer was going to cost me $1700.I did it and it cost about $400.Vettes,Beemers,Jags,z28's are all like that.Thats because they advise you to replace the plugs/wires/smog control valve/water pump/termostat/all belts/hoses/all filters/and the dist/dist cap.Seems extreme,but thats how to avoid the symptoms you describe.Try the fuel filter.You may have a plug wire that is breaking down.That gives you 1 less cyl under a load.