Hello,

I'm replacing my fuel filter. I released the fuel line in front of the filter (where the fuel exits the filter) with no tool, just my hands. The rear one however, will not come loose. I have that release tool, the one that is meant to wrap around the nozzles and release the little springs or whatever in the fuel lines. But it is not working at all on the rear side and I've been at it for about 3 hours this morning and my arms are just about dead. Does anyone have a tip that could help me other before I resort to my saw?

It would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

If you released the front one with just your hands then something is wrong with the lock in the line. On the other one make sure that all the dirt and stuff is out of the coupling and you may have to rotate the tool to catch all the fingers on the lock, and also try pushing the line toward the filter and twist it to help relieve the pressure on the lock.
But yeah they can be a pain to get off sometimes.

 

Ok, there's no way this things is going to come off. Very, very very mad. I bought some of those little plastic, quick release rings. No luck. Would anyone of you generous folks know what else I can do? Do I need to remove the whole god damn line, or what? Here's more details:

The fuel line has about a 1/8 inch of play, meaning if I hold the filter in one hand and the line in the other, I can move the line about 1/8 inch back and forth along the nozzle. There is just barely enough space between the rear side of the filter and the end of the fuel line for me to be able to squeeze the tool in there. The tool can slide about half way into the end of the line until it doesn't go any deeper. It's incredibly hard to get leverage, as the goddamn fuel tank is bolted right next to this thing, leaving about 3 inches for my hand to get up in there to work with the line. I push the line in toward the tool as hard as I can, and then try to pull it back, but nothing has changed at all.

Incredibly, amazingly frustrated, I don't have much strength left after trying this 20 different ways all morning. I attached some pictures of the crime scene... Does anyone have an idea what might be wrong, what I can do.... I'm lost and confused.

 

Buy a good release tool...I too worked on my filter with a cheap release tool for 30 mins...went and bought a good release tool and first time I tried came right off...make sure you buy the right size...3/8... 5/16

 

Doesn't the filter bracket bolt to the rail? Take the bracket lose where the filter will drop down from behind the tank to give you more room.

I agree you need a better tool I have used the white & gray plastic ones with the lip on top without any problems but I also have a couple different sets of metal ones.

It looks pretty clean but you may have someething behind the lock not letting the tool to go in far enough to release it.

 

Thank ya'll for the responses. I have those plastic rings, and they havent worked either. I took it out of the bracket first thing, removed the bracket, but the filter cannot come free of its position because it cant squeeze between the fuel tank. It can't go further up either because its still attached to the damn fuel line. Any suggestions there?

What are these better release tools you speak of? I would love to get my hands on one.

Thanks!

 

Cut off the nipple to the filter, not the line, so you have more room to work. Then you can see the fingers you have to release. I used half the tool to release two fingers and a tiny screwdriver to release the other one.

 

Sean, I've considered this, but wasn't sure. What did you use to cut it?

Thanks, dude!

 

...I'm also afraid if I cut it, I won't have a potential advantage of the big ol' filter to pull on, instead being left with a little stump of metal that I can only use two fingers on...

 

If you got a pair of needle nose pliers you'll be fine. I did pretty much the same thing as Sean. Cut it and used something to push the teeth out of the way and yanked it out. Then I replaced the clips in the front and rear fuel lines.

Just watch out for all the fuel from the filter and what's going to leak out of the lines. Have something ready to hold the fuel.