Fuel filter (the kind mounted to frame rail)

[Stitz Love]

This may be the dumbest question ever posted...
Are the threads which hold my fuel filter reverse threaded?
Or are they just rusted on so much, that I can't budge them?

Nothing in the Haynes Manual indicates they may be reverse, but man, I can not get them to move and am afraid I will break fuel line trying to undo them. I have sprayed them with Liquid Wrench just a few moments ago... to come in here and type this.

The little plastic bracket that holds the filter has already snapped... Do I need to replace that? (or can I make one? As I expect the part is big $$$)

If I can't budge them, I'm going to have to take it to a shop... because if the fuel lines break they can deal with that much better than I can.

But you know I would really like to do this myself... for God's sake it's just a FUEL FILTER!!!

Thanks.

[bradrhale]

threads are right handed like a normal bolt. i reckon you dont have to replace that plastic deal but would suggest wrapping the filter in a material to keep from it rubbing against the frame causing a hole. maybe you can wrap it with thin insulation and put a zip tight around it.
oh, use a GOOD set of tubing wrenches. regular combo wrenches tend to not work as good and you really dont want to round of those connections.

[Stitz Love]

Ah.. okay.. normal.... good. Thank you.)
Yes I am using the Flare-Nut Wrench for the fuel line nut. (5/8)
But can you believe the hold nut on the filter is a 20 mm!?

I keep hearing this old tune in my head now... "...turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanse I really think so..." (by, the Vapors)

...coincidence?
I think NOT!

[bradrhale]

crazy, i know. those things will corrode up over time making it seem impossible to quickly remove. did not realize that it was a 5/8 and 20MM though. cant believe i am going to say this but i have never had this problem with fords and their neat little filter tool remover. no wrenches at all and snaps apart easy as pie everytime. and of course, dodge doesnt even have a fuel filter, or at least what i would call one. socks dont count.
i have found though, which you probably already know this, taking tubing lines and turning them a hair tighter, then going looser will alot of times free it up than just back and forth it off to death. just throwing that out there, i guess.

[Stitz Love]

SUCCESS!!!
Thanks for the quick reply on the threading question...
The liquid wrench worked it's magic and I went at it with a little more gusto... and I did the back and forth mojo too.
Even though I relieved the pressure properly I still got more fuel dribble than I care for... so by the time I got my work area all cleaned up, tools back in their places, it was time to call it a night. I will start it tomorrow after work and check for leaks. ...Tomorrow I will also add the results of my other efforts (done JUST prior to the filter change) in the thread titled 'Code 44'.
I just have to get some dinner and get some sleep... L-o-n-g days at work ... but no complaints, as ...well... I am working.

[crabtruck]

Good deal, glad to hear it.

[fbhart@wk.net]

has it been a while since you changed the filter?
when i had my fuel pump installed at 45K the gm service tech told me to change filters at 15K intervals and never let tank get below 1/4 fuel to protect fuel pump.

by changing the filter at 15K intervals the fuel filter (so far) has never been rusty or hard to get apart.

[schlak]

You might also consider putting some of that gray colored "anti-sieze" goop on those threads and along the line behind the nut. That stuff works great.

[Stitz Love]

fbhart, Oh yes... that filter had been on there since about 2003... (give or take a year) the truck sat inactive for about 6 years. (I just bought it in April this year and have more of a project than I bargined for.) I believe I will change that filter about every 10 to 15K miles from now on.

schlak, I hadn't thought of that... I would be afraind to get some in my fuel system... I wonder if a drop of motor oil (and I mean ONE drop) might be a good idea, the next time I change filter? Anyone? ...anyone? ...Bueller?

[FaselZ71]

That maybe worth a try and true anti seize after the fuel filter may cause a clot in the injectors should any ever get in there... however I've ran into the problem of stuck filter bolts and I've recently began doing this to all the filter jobs I come across it's alittle unorthadox but ease of replacement and installation is worth it but I take a small pipe cutter and cut the fuel line in front of and behind the fuel filter and use rubber gas line and hose clamps and then when you need it out just undo 2 of the clamps and it slides right out... And believe it or not those fuel lines as long as they are not completely rusted will withstand quite a bit of bending in one case I bent the fuel line so that it was perpendicular with the frame rails and bent it back and never broke it... Just me $.02