Proper way to replace a fuel filter?

[Brother]

How should I have done this. I had the car parked. I had just washed it and I decided to replace the inline Mahle fuel filter with a new one.

So, I loosened the clamps. Then I pulled one side of the filter out of the hose and then started on the other side. Of course, the POS plastic nipple broke off in the hose. Now, I have a slow flow of gas coming from the supply side hose. In my mind, I was going to be F1 pit crew fast on putting the new one in so I didn't clamp the line. In retrospect, I'm an idiot. It took me a few minutes to get the old plastic nipple out and then get the new filter on. In those few minutes, I spilled some fuel.

How would you have done this better?

[Joe Sharp]

Hey Paul, I think you know, but this is the trick that I use.
I use a set of small needle nose vise grips on both lines at the filter.

[Joe Ricard]

Yup clamp the hoses. if you end up damaging the hoses you needed new ones anyway.

[Brother]

Lesson learned.

What kind of clamps are you using?

I think that I'll end up using AN lines and Canton filters with a removable element. Seems cleaner and better.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

"Fuel injection clamps". They are shaped like a letter Omega (kind of horse-shoe with the ends of the 'U' bent in) with a screw through the ends. The sides of the clamp have rolled-up edges so the clamp does not cut into the hose.

Those are the original style clamps; they are available a wide variety of places. Using the common worm-screw type clamps is not recommended; they will cut into the hose (they are designed to!) and typically don't help high-pressure hose last very long.

--DD

[Brother]

Does Pelican sell them?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I suspect that this is an appropriate one. The part number cross-references to this clamp, though.

--DD

[Brother]

OHHHH. I thought you were talking about something completely different.

I thought you were talking about a clamp so that fuel didn't flow out while you were changing the filter. I have normal hose clamps to hold the hose on the filter.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

"Normal hose clamps"--the worm-gear type that is common in the US--cut into the hose. Not so good on a hose that carries high pressure toxic flammable liquid. The FI hose clamps have rounded edges and do not have the "slices" in the middle for the threads on the worm-gear. No hose slicing, so the risk of leaks is reduced.

I recommend using the "proper" clamps. (You can find them at some FLAPS, too.)

--DD

[The cap'n]

The lines to-and-from the fuel filter aren't under high pressure. You should, however, use the correct hose clamps.

The Cap'n