My car is stalling/hesitating majorly under load and I am thinking it is either the fuel filter or the fuel pump going bad, it runs fine at idle. So where is the fuel filter? The Chiltons book is worthless, no pictures no location. I would go look, but it is -10 degrees out and I don't have a garage. So is it easy to replace?

 

i believe in front of the rear end left side "frame rail".

 

Cool, thx. I assume I can get to it just by jacking the car up and getting under it? I can get a garage for about 2 hours this morning, so if it is easy i am gonna go for it.

 

Yep. Make sure you use two wrenches as to not break the fuel lines. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

 

Might wanna have a rag ready to wrap around the fuel line as you are loosening it. There may be abt 50 psi of fuel spraying out. Also need a container to catch the fuel.

If you do have a heater going and the garage closed up, be careful, heaters and gas fumes are a bad combo.
Without ventilation, the gas fumes will spread out along the floor since they are heavier than air. Don't ask how I know this..

You could disconnect the fuel pump wiring with eng running to relieve the fuel line pressure. A little will dribble out, but it won't be spraying out.

 

umm... or you could open the gas cap to relieve most of the pressure.. when I changed mine I only had a little fuel drip down my arm...

just open the gas cap, and make sure the car is off and the key is NOT in the ignition..

 

Venting the gas tank will do nothing to relieve to the 40-50 psi of fuel line press.. Besides, the fuel tank should be already be vented via the charcoal canister.

The amount of fuel that leaks out is effected by many variables.
If car has been shut off for a few hours, the press will have probably bleed off, but don't count on it.
If the injectors are leaky, press will bleed off quicker.
If the fuel press reg is leaking (internally), the press will bleed off quicker.
If the checkvalve on the pump outlet is leaking, press will bleed off quicker.

I used to work in a tune-up shop. I've been soaked a couple of times replacing fuel filters on FI cars.

BTW, it doesn't take much gas to make a serious garage explosion.

 

put a large piece of cardboard down, then tape a plastic tarp (or large garbage bag) down to it to catch the gas. use a rag to cover the spray as you loosen one end, let it drip onto the tarp, then get that out from under the car to a safe place (like outside) where it can evaporate.

it will spray out in all directions, so wear goggles and try not to have your eyes in the plane of the spray.

 

Hell ya you better. I saw the guys at 76 change mine, and my gas went FUBAR. They had a nice little fuel catcher, so it was cool. :rockon: