Changing a Fuel Filter on a 98 Pontiac Sunfire
The fuel filter replacement on the '98 Pontiac Sunfire requires a different process than most cars. The fuel filter on the '98 Pontiac Sunfire receives the fuel from the gas tank. The fuel filter then traps the sediments inside of the fuel filter and releases the fuel into the outlet tube of the fuel filter, where the fuel then goes into the gas tank. You can replace the fuel filter on the Sunfire yourself in about 30 minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Car jack
- Jack stands
- Fluid catch pan
- Adjustable wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- New fuel filter
Instructions
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1
Unscrew the gas cap from the gas tank to relieve the fuel pressure from the fuel filter.
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2
Jack the rear end of the car up and place the jack stands under the back axle. Make sure to put the jack stands securely and evenly under the back axle so that the car is stable. Release the jack so that the car is sitting safely on the jack stands.
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3
Locate the fuel filter. The fuel filter on the '98 Pontiac Sunfire is in the rear of the car between the gas tank and back axle. The fuel filter is a small round container with lines coming out of both ends.
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4
Slide the fluid catch pan under the fuel filter so the excess fuel from the filter and lines can go into the pan. The fuel filter on the Sunfire has a locking nut on the inlet side of the fuel filter and a hose clamp on the outlet side of the fuel filter. Remove the inlet line that is coming from the gas tank into the fuel filter with an adjustable wrench by turning the nut counterclockwise. Remove the outlet line by unscrewing the hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver. Turn the screw on the hose clamp counterclockwise until the clamp is loose enough to slide the fuel line off of the fuel filter. Pull both lines away from the fuel filter.
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5
Loosen the clamp that is holding the fuel filter in the mounting bracket with the flathead screwdriver. Turn the screw on the clamp counterclockwise until the clamp is loose enough to slide the fuel filter out of the bracket. Remove the fuel filter from the bracket.
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6
Slide the new fuel filter inside of the bracket and tighten the clamp over the fuel filter so that the fuel filter is secured to the mounting bracket. Make sure you slide the new fuel filter in the clamp with the arrows pointing toward the engine and away from the gas tank. The flow arrow on the fuel filter represents the flow of the fuel from the gas tank to the engine.
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7
Screw in the inlet fuel line and tighten it down with the adjustable wrench. Make sure that the inlet fuel line is tight.
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8
Slide the outlet fuel line onto the fuel filter and tighten the hose clamp down. Look over everything to make sure that everything is in place correctly and tight.
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9
Screw the gas cap back onto the gas tank. Then turn the ignition key back and forth 3 times to prime the fuel filter with fuel. Crank the engine.
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10
Inspect the fuel filter and the fuel lines while the engine is running. Repair any leaks if necessary. Then shut off the engine.
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11
Jack the car up and remove the jack stands. Lower the car back to the ground and remove the jack from under the car.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that the fuel filter is positioned with the flow arrow pointing toward the engine. If the filter is backward, the engine will not crank.
Discard the fuel filter into the fluid catch pan and dispose of properly.
Always wear safety glasses when working around fuel.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit The breakage. image by FAFANJA from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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the only problem with this instruction is that the filter runs paralel with the axle... not fr-rr of car, so which way should the arrows point in this case?
