HELP! Fuel filter disaster

[Champ1415]

I was thinking about that but didnt know if it would be safe and now it's to late I'm stranded

 

[dawudih]

1. the fuel lines have compression fittings on them, so pull the nut towards the distal ends of the fuel line while hand tightening them to the fuel filter (give it a good tug in both directions after hand tightening).
2. use 2 wrenches to tighten, make it very snug but don't go nuts.
3. my cel came on within 50 miles after doing this, so unplug your neg terminal to reset if this happens.

 

[Socco]

1. the fuel lines have compression fittings on them, so pull the nut towards the distal ends of the fuel line while hand tightening them to the fuel filter (give it a good tug in both directions after hand tightening).

Not quite - It's an inverted flare, there's no compression ring. But yes, tighten by hand as far as possible. I found that giving the line a wiggle at the same time helps to seat it entirely. Then tighten the nut with a flare nut wrench and a back up wrench on the filter body.

FYI:
Teflon tape is a get-it-home fix. I wouldn't recommend it for anything more. Teflon tape is used to lubricate tapered threads to get the male/female threads into each other tightly. It's the threads that form the seal, not the tape. With any type of flare fitting, the threads don't form the seal. They simply hold the two flare faces tight to each other. You could still get a leak from between the nut and the tube, rather than the nut and the filter.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I bought a WIX and it fit fine. I think it's like Pitbull Rescuer said and you need to press the line in more and retighten. It's probably sitting a little cockeyed in there and not seated correctly.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Champ, if you're local (Philly area) give me a call. (two-six-seven) six-eight-eight-1973. I'd be happy to stop by and help you out.

 

[rubbman]

PBrescuer is right. The smallest missalignment can be a real B*^ch. Make sure the fuel line is seated before tightening.

 

[Champ1415]

I wish but I'm in Texas thanks man for the offer and yeah I'm gonna take it slow and make sure it aligns today

 

[Running4life]

Where in Texas? I can help you out if you in the DFW area.

 

[Champ1415]

I gave in and took it to a mechanic after another hour and a half in the Texas heat with no such luck. I'm in San Antonio

 

[Drcoffee]

With a compression fitting, don't secure the fuel filter in the bracket until the lines are tight. It causes a mis alignment of the flared ends and results in leakage. The flared end has to line up correctly while you are tightening the nut. Also, you may not be getting it tight enough.

 

[jham]

I threw a Bosch on mine with no problems. What worked for me (first time with ease) was connecting the lines before mounting the new filter so you have play in the lines. Like others have said, make sure your line goes as far in as possible into the new filter, then tighten things down with TWO wrenches. These lines can bend/break if you start tweaking them too much with a single wrench.

The whole process took 15 minutes. Don't forget to pull your EFI relay and open your gas cap prior to starting.

 

[Diagram14]

My wix filter was a breeze to install. I agree with those who said to bolt the mounting bracket up last. That way the filter has the mobility to seat properly without fighting any funny angles created by the frame mount location. Something to consider for the next time YOU change your fuel filter.