Fuel Filter Removal - 1997 Escort

"Greg" <v65rider.TakeThisOut@freeshell.org> wrote in message
news:uvico39ief1ij9r5i8i08k9hsst2nq10ss@4ax.com...
> All,
>
> Found the location of the fuel filter on said car. Knowing this, how
> is a grown man supposed to get his hand down in front of the firewall
> on the driver's side to remove it?
>
> From the top, I barely can get my hand down to remove the fuel filter
> from the clamp. Would I be better off attempting this removal from
> beneath the car? It seems awfully high to be reaching from the bottom?
>
> Lastly, after reading several posts here... it seems that I should
> head back to my local auto parts store to buy the special tool before
> attempting to remove the fuel lines from the fuel filter.
>
> I miss the days of when fuel filters were easily accessible from
> beneath the car clamped along the frame rail.

If you disconnect the two hoses running over/near the brake booster,
you should have enough room to get your hand in to loosen the clamp
and remove/break the plastic clip that holds the fuel line to the filter.

You don't need any special tools to remove the clips, just a thin
screwdriver or needle nose pliers. Make sure your replacement
filter has new plastic clips. Motorcraft fuel filters have them.

Your hands will get scratched up a bit, but you should be able to
change the filter in under 30 minutes. After installing the new
filter and hooking everything back together, turn the key to ON
for 3 seconds, then to OFF. Repeat 5 times to pressurize the
fuel system so you don't kill your battery cranking the engine
waiting for it to pressurize. The engine will then start on the
first try.

Bob
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Filter Removal - 1997 Escort 

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:19:43 GMT, "Bob Bailin"
<72027.3605.DeleteThis@compuserve.com> wrote:

>If you disconnect the two hoses running over/near the brake booster,
>you should have enough room to get your hand in to loosen the clamp
>and remove/break the plastic clip that holds the fuel line to the filter.
>
>You don't need any special tools to remove the clips, just a thin
>screwdriver or needle nose pliers. Make sure your replacement
>filter has new plastic clips. Motorcraft fuel filters have them.
>
>Your hands will get scratched up a bit, but you should be able to
>change the filter in under 30 minutes. After installing the new
>filter and hooking everything back together, turn the key to ON
>for 3 seconds, then to OFF. Repeat 5 times to pressurize the
>fuel system so you don't kill your battery cranking the engine
>waiting for it to pressurize. The engine will then start on the
>first try.
>
>Bob

Thanks Bob for the tip about removing the hoses. I was in the process
of doing that but I felt there still wasn't enough of room for my hand
and arm. I'll take a closer look.

Greg
remove "rider" to respond directly
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Filter Removal - 1997 Escort 

I always changed my wife's through the bottom. It's always a hassle.
Hank


On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:51:58 -0600, Greg <v65rider.DeleteThis@freeshell.org>
wrote:

>All,
>
>Found the location of the fuel filter on said car. Knowing this, how
>is a grown man supposed to get his hand down in front of the firewall
>on the driver's side to remove it?
>
>From the top, I barely can get my hand down to remove the fuel filter
>from the clamp. Would I be better off attempting this removal from
>beneath the car? It seems awfully high to be reaching from the bottom?
>
>Lastly, after reading several posts here... it seems that I should
>head back to my local auto parts store to buy the special tool before
>attempting to remove the fuel lines from the fuel filter.
>
>I miss the days of when fuel filters were easily accessible from
>beneath the car clamped along the frame rail.
>
>Regards,
>
>Greg
>remove "rider" to respond directly
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Filter Removal - 1997 Escort