Fuel Filter Replaced - Update/Tips/How To

Trev Hib · 06-01-2004, 13:14

Continuing from my fuel filter questions thread, I thought I'd write this new one to help out anyone who searches on the subject in the future.....

I've just replaced my fuel filter and it went very smoothly, although removing the rubber fuel pipe can be a right arse. What I had to do in the end was pour boiling water over the end of the pipes to soften them up. Then I was finally able to budge them!

I also found that when I tipped out the fuel from the filter once I'd removed it, it came out BROWN from the clean side!

Has anyone else found this? The fuel which I tipped out of the other side of the filter came out clean!

Good job I've bothered then!!

Anyway, here is a little 'How To'.

************************************************

To source a new filter:
You will find that Nissan are just about as cheap as any Motorfactors, unless you can get trade price somewhere. Look to pay 10-11 pounds inc VAT.

To remove the filter:
Take out fuel pump fuse. It's 3rd fuse down on the right-hand side column of fuses. The fusebox can be found in the drivers footwell.

Turn the engine over for a few seconds to release the pressure from fuel system.

The fuel filter can be found on the drivers side of the engine bay between the suspension turret and the intake plenum. Size-wise it is a little smaller than the size of the oil filter on the S14. It is attached to the suspension turret by a holder from which it can be easily prised when the time comes...

There are just two screw clips to be undone which hold the fuel line onto the filter (the underside and the top). Loosen the top one first (and take off the pipe) then unclip the filter from the holder and push it down. This will allow you access to the clip which holds the feed pipe onto the underside of the filter. Once this has been loosened and the pipe removed, the filter is then free.

Note: There was no pressure in the line when I undid my fuel line and very little fuel came out.

To replace:
The new filter should have arrows on it to show the direction of flow OR it will have the word OUT on one end to show where the fuel should come out of the filter and go into the engine. Make sure to replace the filter the correct way round.

Reattach the fuel line at the bottom, tighten the clip and push the new filter into the holder. Attach the fuel line at the top and tighten the clip.

Refit the fuel pump fuse and you are ready to fire up the engine!

Note: I didn't pour any petrol into the new filter before refitting. You may want to (once the bottom fuel line has been fitted and the filter put back in the holder). Also I didn't feel the need to undo the negative side of the battery, again you may want to.

I know this is an easy job but some people like to be sure of what they are doing and so I thought it may be useful to type out a step by step. Hope it helps.

Oh and if I've missed anything, feel free to point out my shortcomings! lol.

Trev

Mark · 06-01-2004, 13:32

excellent work Trev, have added a link to the useful thread sticky in the section

Trev Hib · 06-01-2004, 13:34

Woo hoo, I was useful!

Hehehe. Thanks Mark.

Busky2k · 06-01-2004, 13:45

Yeah I full noticed brown gunk come out of the filter once i removed it. It was foul. Later on i got the hacksaw out and i cut it up, and yeah, the pleats were fully clogged up.

I was glad I changed the fuel filter. Its gotta be one of the most neglected items....

Oh yeah one tip, its probably better to pull the fuse while the engine is idling. Once it dies, then you know for sure the fuel pressure is gone.

Sabrex · 06-01-2004, 14:15

im just about to do this much appreciated m8 - is it like this for the s13 though?

archenemy.co.uk · 29-03-2004, 11:57

Filter should be changed every 36,000 miles according to pdf manual maintenance section.

hadyn · 07-08-2004, 16:10

just replaced my old fuel filter with a halfords one, when I changed the filter, a lot of petrol seemed to pee out of the pipes - does this indicate the filter was clogged?
Also got some darker coloured petrol coming out too...

AshT_200 · 07-08-2004, 16:14

Not sure if this applies to S14s etc but 300zx fuel filters are large and cost £11.98

hadyn · 07-08-2004, 16:24

ill probably fit a z32 filter next time.....

hobbsy · 09-08-2004, 12:57

I used a Z32 filter on my S14a, clips in place once you pull the bracket apart a bit. Was a pig to remove the hoses but I was ready for that after doing my S13 one a couple of years ago.

hadyn · 09-08-2004, 13:35

my s14 seems to fire up quicker as well since fitting a fresh filter too

RICE BURNER 01 · 09-08-2004, 19:59

going to do mine next oil change,are there any advantages in using an uprated item such as filter king or billet,there supposed to allow a greater flow of petrol ,just wondering if the o/e one was restrictive in anyway

hadyn · 09-08-2004, 20:02

has hopefully sorted my hesitation issues out, car feels a lot smoother now

glens14a · 14-08-2004, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev Hib

To remove the filter:
Take out fuel pump fuse. It's 3rd fuse down on the right-hand side column of fuses. The fusebox can be found in the drivers footwell:

Got my 300 filter went to check it over but could not find the fuse's as above.
I know there is a fuse box next to the battery is it in there and if so which fuse is it.

Dan E · 14-08-2004, 21:01

"The fusebox can be found in the drivers footwell"

... next to the accelerator.

tyan707 · 17-09-2004, 17:22

Fitted my Z32 fuel filter some months ago and now replacing my FPR when I can acrossed this situation that seemed odd to me, and might maybe explain why Trev Hib had dirty gasoline on the supposely clean side.

Why is the filter not in the line with the FPR? While changing the FPR, I saw that the fuel filter was installed on the fuel return pipe and not on the pipe to the FPR?

Logically the filter should be in the pipe going to the FPR right? So that you can have clean fuel going to the injectors right? And not that the filter is in the pipe for the fuel return going back to the tank right?

I don't if it's of factory like this or that someone screw up while changing some stuff on the car.

Papa Lazarou · 17-09-2004, 17:28

My fuel filter is not on the return side

The fuel pipe coming from the FPR is the return by the way. It regulates pressure by controlling how much fuel gets returned to the tank.

tyan707 · 17-09-2004, 17:40

Quote:

The fuel pipe coming from the FPR is the return by the way. It regulates pressure by controlling how much fuel gets returned to the tank.

So you are saying the pipe coming from the FPR is the return pipe? If what you are saying is right then my filter is in the right place.

I thought that the FPR is regulating how much fuel is allowed to enter the fuel rail thus feeding the injectors.

Papa Lazarou · 17-09-2004, 18:06

Yes the pipe from the FPR is the return. Like I said the FPR regulates fuel rail pressure by controlling how much fuel is allowed to return to the tank

tyan707 · 17-09-2004, 18:16

Thanks Papa

06-01-2004, 13:14	#1
Trev Hib NON-MEMBER Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Derby Posts: 258	Fuel Filter Replaced - Update/Tips/How To Continuing from my fuel filter questions thread, I thought I'd write this new one to help out anyone who searches on the subject in the future..... I've just replaced my fuel filter and it went very smoothly, although removing the rubber fuel pipe can be a right arse. What I had to do in the end was pour boiling water over the end of the pipes to soften them up. Then I was finally able to budge them! I also found that when I tipped out the fuel from the filter once I'd removed it, it came out BROWN from the clean side! Has anyone else found this? The fuel which I tipped out of the other side of the filter came out clean! Good job I've bothered then!! Anyway, here is a little 'How To'. ************************************************ To source a new filter: You will find that Nissan are just about as cheap as any Motorfactors, unless you can get trade price somewhere. Look to pay 10-11 pounds inc VAT. To remove the filter: Take out fuel pump fuse. It's 3rd fuse down on the right-hand side column of fuses. The fusebox can be found in the drivers footwell. Turn the engine over for a few seconds to release the pressure from fuel system. The fuel filter can be found on the drivers side of the engine bay between the suspension turret and the intake plenum. Size-wise it is a little smaller than the size of the oil filter on the S14. It is attached to the suspension turret by a holder from which it can be easily prised when the time comes... There are just two screw clips to be undone which hold the fuel line onto the filter (the underside and the top). Loosen the top one first (and take off the pipe) then unclip the filter from the holder and push it down. This will allow you access to the clip which holds the feed pipe onto the underside of the filter. Once this has been loosened and the pipe removed, the filter is then free. Note: There was no pressure in the line when I undid my fuel line and very little fuel came out. To replace: The new filter should have arrows on it to show the direction of flow OR it will have the word OUT on one end to show where the fuel should come out of the filter and go into the engine. Make sure to replace the filter the correct way round. Reattach the fuel line at the bottom, tighten the clip and push the new filter into the holder. Attach the fuel line at the top and tighten the clip. Refit the fuel pump fuse and you are ready to fire up the engine! Note: I didn't pour any petrol into the new filter before refitting. You may want to (once the bottom fuel line has been fitted and the filter put back in the holder). Also I didn't feel the need to undo the negative side of the battery, again you may want to. I know this is an easy job but some people like to be sure of what they are doing and so I thought it may be useful to type out a step by step. Hope it helps. Oh and if I've missed anything, feel free to point out my shortcomings! lol. Trev

06-01-2004, 13:45	#4
Busky2k Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 792	Yeah I full noticed brown gunk come out of the filter once i removed it. It was foul. Later on i got the hacksaw out and i cut it up, and yeah, the pleats were fully clogged up. I was glad I changed the fuel filter. Its gotta be one of the most neglected items.... Oh yeah one tip, its probably better to pull the fuse while the engine is idling. Once it dies, then you know for sure the fuel pressure is gone. __________________ *S14.5 - 400 bhp* SXOC NVCS (VVT) Sprocket Groupbuy V.3 £270 delivered - Finished!

06-01-2004, 14:15	#5
Sabrex Flamethrower Join Date: May 2003 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,737	im just about to do this much appreciated m8 - is it like this for the s13 though? Last edited by Sabrex; 06-01-2004 at 14:18.

29-03-2004, 11:57	#6
archenemy.co.uk formerly Mono Phil Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Herts Posts: 12,618	Filter should be changed every 36,000 miles according to pdf manual maintenance section. __________________ archenemy.co.uk Arch contact is a thing of the past, no more clenching your butt cheeks over every bump

09-08-2004, 12:57	#10
hobbsy Guest Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Posts: 1,129	I used a Z32 filter on my S14a, clips in place once you pull the bracket apart a bit. Was a pig to remove the hoses but I was ready for that after doing my S13 one a couple of years ago. __________________ Ex-Black 2000V S14a Touring with 366bhp - missing it :'(

06-01-2004, 13:34	#3
Trev Hib NON-MEMBER Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Derby Posts: 258	Woo hoo, I was useful! Hehehe. Thanks Mark.

07-08-2004, 16:10	#7
hadyn Guest Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: www.octaneboost.co.uk Posts: 15,005	just replaced my old fuel filter with a halfords one, when I changed the filter, a lot of petrol seemed to pee out of the pipes - does this indicate the filter was clogged? Also got some darker coloured petrol coming out too...

07-08-2004, 16:24	#9
hadyn Guest Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: www.octaneboost.co.uk Posts: 15,005	ill probably fit a z32 filter next time.....

09-08-2004, 13:35	#11
hadyn Guest Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: www.octaneboost.co.uk Posts: 15,005	my s14 seems to fire up quicker as well since fitting a fresh filter too

09-08-2004, 19:59	#12
RICE BURNER 01 NON-MEMBER Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: In manchester,On 2 Wheels,Dancing with the Grim Reaper Posts: 2,392	going to do mine next oil change,are there any advantages in using an uprated item such as filter king or billet,there supposed to allow a greater flow of petrol ,just wondering if the o/e one was restrictive in anyway

09-08-2004, 20:02	#13
hadyn Guest Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: www.octaneboost.co.uk Posts: 15,005	has hopefully sorted my hesitation issues out, car feels a lot smoother now

14-08-2004, 21:01	#15
Dan E Jow powered rocket ship Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Near MK Posts: 4,303	"The fusebox can be found in the drivers footwell" ... next to the accelerator. __________________ Rest in peace Jow

17-09-2004, 17:22	#16
tyan707 NON-MEMBER Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Posts: 348	Fitted my Z32 fuel filter some months ago and now replacing my FPR when I can acrossed this situation that seemed odd to me, and might maybe explain why Trev Hib had dirty gasoline on the supposely clean side. Why is the filter not in the line with the FPR? While changing the FPR, I saw that the fuel filter was installed on the fuel return pipe and not on the pipe to the FPR? Logically the filter should be in the pipe going to the FPR right? So that you can have clean fuel going to the injectors right? And not that the filter is in the pipe for the fuel return going back to the tank right? I don't if it's of factory like this or that someone screw up while changing some stuff on the car. __________________ FlAmInG S14a

17-09-2004, 17:28	#17
Papa Lazarou Guest Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 17,762	My fuel filter is not on the return side The fuel pipe coming from the FPR is the return by the way. It regulates pressure by controlling how much fuel gets returned to the tank.

17-09-2004, 18:06	#19
Papa Lazarou Guest Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 17,762	Yes the pipe from the FPR is the return. Like I said the FPR regulates fuel rail pressure by controlling how much fuel is allowed to return to the tank

17-09-2004, 18:16	#20
tyan707 NON-MEMBER Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Posts: 348	Thanks Papa __________________ FlAmInG S14a