YACT: Fuel filter stuck, how to get it out?

[pac1085]

I have a 1990 pontiac sunbird gt turbo, and need to replace the fuel filter. One problem, I cant get the old one out! It's pretty rusty, so I sprayed some WD-40 on there hoping it would loosen up the connections, but I still cant get them to budge. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it out? Thanks!

 

[Zim Hosein]

A match will work

Seriously, let the WD40 sit for a while

 

[notfred]

pull harder.

 

[KEV1N]

St4b it with a breaker bar. Or is that for oil filters only?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Vortex
I have a 1990 pontiac sunbird gt turbo, and need to replace the fuel filter. One problem, I cant get the old one out! It's pretty rusty, so I sprayed some WD-40 on there hoping it would loosen up the connections, but I still cant get them to budge. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it out? Thanks!

Where is the filter on this car?

I've had stuck filters before and just drilled out the core and put a filter further back in the line. Also just rpelaced a fule line system one time that had a fliter inline and put a filter in that I could take in and out with clamps next time.

 

[pac1085]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Vortex
I have a 1990 pontiac sunbird gt turbo, and need to replace the fuel filter. One problem, I cant get the old one out! It's pretty rusty, so I sprayed some WD-40 on there hoping it would loosen up the connections, but I still cant get them to budge. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it out? Thanks!

Where is the filter on this car?

I've had stuck filters before and just drilled out the core and put a filter further back in the line. Also just rpelaced a fule line system one time that had a fliter inline and put a filter in that I could take in and out with clamps next time.

It's right behid the gas tank on the passenger side, near the rear right wheel

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Vortex

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Vortex
I have a 1990 pontiac sunbird gt turbo, and need to replace the fuel filter. One problem, I cant get the old one out! It's pretty rusty, so I sprayed some WD-40 on there hoping it would loosen up the connections, but I still cant get them to budge. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it out? Thanks!

Where is the filter on this car?

I've had stuck filters before and just drilled out the core and put a filter further back in the line. Also just rpelaced a fule line system one time that had a fliter inline and put a filter in that I could take in and out with clamps next time.

It's right behid the gas tank on the passenger side, near the rear right wheel

WD-40 is not a real penetrating oil,
try liquid wrench,or even better,PB Blaster


http://www.webpartsmart.com/PB16.htm

you may also need a 20 mm wrench,which you can get at most sears stores;

if worst case you can cut the line and use high pressure fuel line hose to repair it.

 

[LAUST]

PB blaster

No breaker bar, as you have to use 2 wrenches, one to hold the filter still and the other to turn the bolt on the fuel line itself.

 

[richardycc]

oops nevermind, thought you were talking about oil filter.

rich

 

[OrganizedChaos]

get some channel locks on it and remove by any means nessisary, your replacing it anyway

 

[pac1085]

I tried some castle penetrating oil, its still not comming loose. I'll pick up some of that PB blaster stuff and give that a try.

get some channel locks on it and remove by any means nessisary, your replacing it anyway

I wish i could, but i cant afford to break the fuel lines

 

[Vette73]

You are using flare wrenches right????

One flare wrench on the fuel line bolt and one open wrench on the fuel filter.

Also remember, righty tighty, lefty... sounds dumb, but upside down a lot of people get it wrong. I know I am a lot of those peoples mechanics that bring it to me after they try and FIX it

 

[HannibalX]

Channel Locks.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Vortex
I tried some castle penetrating oil, its still not comming loose. I'll pick up some of that PB blaster stuff and give that a try.

get some channel locks on it and remove by any means nessisary, your replacing it anyway

I wish i could, but i cant afford to break the fuel lines

Fuel pipe and lines aren't expensive. Probably not worth the amount of time and effort spent on the clogged stuck filter. You should have it bypassed and replaced in no time.

 

[Quixfire]

Vortex, if you are still having trouble try cutting the fuel filter off right behind the hex end, with a hacksaw blade, then put a socket on the filter end and a flare wrench on the line. This has worked in the past for me on badly rusted GM filters.

 

[BlackOmen]

Spray some PB and let it sit. Also use some flare end wrenches if you can, they grip better on the soft and rusty metal of the fuel fittings. Secondly, Lisle makes a tool for those stupid plastic disconnects on the one side of the filter. It's much easier with this tool. You can find it at Pepboys or the same thing from another manufacturer at any other parts store.

I owned a 94 Cavalier (same car basically as the Sunbird) and the first time I did the fuel filter it took over an hour. Second time it took a matter of minutes. Good luck!