Fuel filter rant cry for help

[GTS Dean]

About 20 years ago I tried to R&R my filter without success. 20 years later, I'm at it again with no better luck. It is a massive PITA to get at in the first place. I have proper movement of the inlet release mechanism, but the plastic line absolutely refuses to dislodge. I even grabbed it from below with long-nose 90 degree needle nosed pliers and no luck.

What's a guy supposed to do short of going into the trunk, removing carpet and fuel module cover to release the whole line from the top and pulling it out the bottom?????

[Steve-Indy]

Give me a call. 317 402 9013

UPDATE: Skip the call since I now have time to type.
Once the depressureized system is disconnected on the filter's outflow side, THEN remove the screw in the mounting bracket...allowing the filter to hang by the inflow line. At this point, go to the left rear wheel and take down the top front of the wheel well liner, reach in and GENTLY pull the filter and inflow line out to where you and see the connector. Using a disconnect tool, try to remove the line from the filter taking great care not to break the tip of the fuel line (since Dodge was out of them many years ago). If you are on a two post lift that allows the wheels to droop, it is easy. If now, one can remove the left rear wheel.

There was one case here in Indiana that would not release even with multiple soaking rounds of REAL penetrating oil (Schaffer's Penetro 90 or Kroil or something similar). In this case, I suggested trying CLR...and it worked.

CREDIT: The above "trick" of gently extracting the filter through the wheel well was shown to me by Viper Tech Tom Sessions.

Best if luck, Dean.

[My98RT10]

Thanks for the tips, Steve! This is something I still have on my to-do list...

[dave6666]

Step 1) remove old fuel line in it's entirety from the trunk to the intake

Step 2) install new AN hose and filter

Step 3) sell old parts to the BAT junkies that have no idea where the fuel line actually is on a Gen 2 but can tell you down to the minute when the next auction ends


One thing about those old factory quick release fittings is that they can't be serviced easily with new seals. The fact you couldn't easily get it apart is a clue that the o-ring seal has likely hardened and although it may not be apparent, the plastic release collar may not be 100% any more either. Keep an eye on it.

BTW, pulling the driver side rear fender liner makes the fuel filter job a snap. Of course the value experts will claim you damage your car by working on it. Soooooooo, proceed cautiously

Fender liner out.

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[Steve-Indy]

Hi, Dean. How did you end up handling the fuel filter problem?

[GTS Dean]

I've been working under the hood lately and just about done. I'll attack the fuel filter again later this week.

[Steve-Indy]

Dave's pic says it all.

[GTS Dean]

Success! It took about an hour, but it still wasn't easy. Getting the wheel well liner out required some careful, but forceful pulling and fist bumps. The filter inlet release was seriously stuck and I just kept pressing the line release tool and pulling the hose back and forth until fuel started to begin to seep out around the filter neck. Once that happened I figured it would eventually flush the grit out and lubricate the o-ring seal, then it finally popped out. The outlet fitting barely leaves room to insert the plastic tool, but it did. I worked it a bit and it released.

A fair bit of fuel will empty from the feed and discharge lines, along with the filter itself, so be sure to have a catch pan underneath and feed it to your lawn mower or leaf blower.

Thanks for all the help folks!
P.S. - The first thing you have to do before servicing the filter is to bleed the pressure off the fuel rail. You will never get it loose under pressure.

[goggles Pizano]

Did you have to drill out the bottom rivet? I pulled the side sill to look at it and it has a 3 star legs. I saw the post about using the flare rivets.

[GTS Dean]

I did not. Later models may have slightly different rivets though.

[goggles Pizano]

Mine's a 97. that was the only rivet holding the inner liner. I will go take a pictures. The 98 manual only states remove, but on some other sections for other rivets it states drill.

[goggles Pizano]

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