Mazda Miata Fan - Episode 7 - Fuel filter replacement

Hi! Welcome to episode 7 of Mazda Miata Fan. Time to change out your fuel filter? Got the original one, like I do? This tutorial will help you take the old one out and put the new one in. Ready? Let's go! Remove the gas cap from the gas tank. It'll remove some of the pressure from the fuel system. Remove the undercover from the steering column. Start the car, let it get to idle, and take a look under your steering wheel for a particular yellow plug. It's this one right here. This yellow plug is the plug for the fuel pump. Pull it while the car is at idle, and the car will shut off, but the fuel pump will help depressurize the fuel system. That way, when you're under the car, it'll be safer. Jack up the rear end of the Miata by following the instructions in your owner's mannal. Time to get under the car. Go under the passenger side of the rear bumper, past the passenger side rear wheel. You'll see the fuel filter cover right there. This is it right here. This is the plastic cover that covers the fuel filter. Use a phillips head screw driver to partially remove the screws from the retainer clips on the plastic housing. Once you get the screws about half-way out, pull them out by hand, and gently pull on the fuel filter cover. It'll pop these tabs right out, and you can remove them from the fuel filter cover. Inspect them and just make sure that they're in good condition. If not, replace them. Once you remove all five of these, you can remove the fuel filter cover from the car, exposing the fuel filter. Use a 10mm socket and wrench to remove the bolt from the fuel filter clamo that holds it on to the car. Get a pair of pliers, and use them to loosen these hose clamps on the fuel lines that are attached to the fuel filter. We're starting here with the top one. Once you get the hose clamp removed, you can start pushing the fuel line back. Now, the fuel system is essentially depressurized at this point. However, gravity still works, so once you push this line back, you will get fuel out of this line. There it goes! That's why you want to have these rags handy to catch this fuel. But, be quick! Get something and plug that line. I happened to have a fat ink pen handy, so I stuck that in the line, and it did a reasonably good job of plugging it up. Next, use the pliers to move the hose clamp on the bottom line. Now, I tried removing this line by hand and with a screwdriver. And I fought... and I fought... and I fought... and I fought... and I fought some more... until finally... it came loose. Be prepared that those lines may be seized to the filter. The good news is the installation process is much simpler than the removal process. Take the new fuel filter and connect both ends of the filter to the hose lines that were originally in place. if you find any rotting or any damage on the original fuel lines, replace them with 5/16" rubber hose fuel line. replace them with 5/16" rubber hose fuel line. As you work the fuel lines onto the fuel filter, you'll have to remove that ink pen at some point, which will let a little a little bit of fuel drip again. Just make sure to have some cloths handy to catch any excess fuel that drips out. You may have noticed a little bit of gasoline dripping from that ink pen while it was inserted into the top fuel line. Be prepared for the possibility that anything you insert into that fuel line could potentially let a little bit of gasoline to leak, and be prepared to keep a clean cloth nearby to allow about the excess gasoline to drip safely into it. Ok, once you've got the lines re-inserted onto the fuel filter, use the pliers to reattach the hose clamps. It's funny that where I fought so much to get those old fuel lines off the filter, and getting the old filter off the car, the reassembly process for all of this went quite quickly. In fact, it's actually shown in real time here in about two minutes and 33 seconds. I found that the clamp that held the fuel filter to the body had bent slightly, so I used a pair of vice grips to secure it in place, then used the 10mm socket to reinsert the bolt and secure the fuel filter to the body. Ok, so the fuel filter is clamped in place, the lines are secured to the fuel filter, and the hose clamps are secured back in place. Everything underneath the car, with the exception of the cover, should be in great shape. But, uh... don't forget to get the socket off of the bolt! All right, let's plug back in the fuel pump plug underneath the steering wheel so the fuel pump will work again. Reattach the plastic cover for the housing underneath the steering wheel, and don't forget to screw it into place. Now, remember we depressurized the fuel system for the purpose of replacing the fuel filter safely, so we're going to need to establish fuel pressure back into the system before the car will start. Bridge the F/P fuel pump terminal to the ground terminal in the diagnostic connector underneath the hood. What this will do is allow the fuel pump to run without the engine running with the key in the on position. in the ignition. Don't start the car; just leave the key in the on position for about ten to fifteen seconds. It should be enough time to reestablish pressure in the fuel system. Turn the key back to the off position, and pull the diagnostic connector. Start the car - it should turn over right away. Just like that. The system is repressurized, and everything is working beautifully. Have a look under the car, and make sure the fuel filter isn't leaking. Check the ends where the fuel lines connect to the filter carefully. Also, you can take a look on the ground, and make sure everything is dry. If you see any gasoline wet spots, you know you've got a leak, and you need to check everything carefully. Once you're convinced you're leak free, then it's time to attach the cover. Put those five push pins and five screws in place and tighten them with a phillips head screwdriver. And, don't forget to put the gas cap on the car. If you haven't replaced the fuel filter on your Miata in a while, or it's never been done, get to it right away. It's a quick and easy project that will have an immediate impact on your Miata's maintenance. Thanks again for watching Mazda Miata Fan, as always, take care. Bye Bye.