You know it is time to replace your car's fuel filter when you begin to experience these symptoms: engine hesitation, stalling, rough starts (or not starting) or a noticeable drop-off in performance or horsepower. You may experience some, or all, of these symptoms when your fuel filter gets clogged. Fuel filters get clogged from the deposits that are filtered out of fuel and rust from the moisture that has a tendency to accumulate in your fuel tank.
Open the car doors, the hatch, and the garage door (if you are in one) to ventilate the area. Gas fumes can be toxic if not well ventilated. Do not smoke in or near your car as you perform this task.
Remove the rear seat by pulling the two tabs located in the middle section of the left and the right seat (not the middle of the back seat, the middle of each respective seat) and pulling the seat up.
Remove the metal plate (the lid plate) toward the center of the rear seat area. There will be four screws (one on each corner) and a wire running through the middle of the plate. Remove the screws and lift the plate off its base.
Unplug the two wiring harnesses that you'll find once you remove the plate in Step 3.
Remove the fuel line and the fuel return line (the only two hoses connected to the assembly). Be extremely cautious (and wear eye protection) as the fuel line is pressurized and is prone to spray if your car hasn't been sitting for 24 hours or more.
Mark a line on the black plastic ring directly across from the green circle with a white marking pen. This ensures that you can line up the ring in the same spot when you re-install it.
Remove the black ring encircling the assembly using a flat-head screwdriver and a rubber mallet. Put the screwdriver against the bottom of the black ring and start to tap with the mallet until you can remove it. Be gentle. You don't want to break this piece.
Pull the fuel pump assembly out of the gas tank by pulling straight up and then angling it to the right once you feel resistance. There is a bobber attached to the bottom that will snag when you pull it up. Simply angling the fuel pump will allow you to free it. Don't force it.
Place the fuel pump into a bucket so that you don't drip gasoline into the rear seat area.
Separate the fuel pump (black) and the fuel reservoir (white or tan) by pushing the three tabs and pulling them apart.
Remove the fuel filter from the fuel reservoir and insert the new one.
Connect the fuel pump and the fuel reservoir by lining the two up and pushing until the tabs lock.
Connect the electrical plugs in their respective places on the fuel pump and fuel reservoir. The plugs will only plug into the holes they are meant for, so don't force one if it doesn't seem to fit.
Insert the bobber into the fuel pump at an angle and then turn the fuel pump straight to drop it in the gas tank.
Put the black ring back over the assembly and use the rubber mallet and screwdriver to tap it into place. Line up the line you drew on the black ring with the marking pen (in step 6) and the green triangle on the outside of the ring.
Connect both fuel hoses.
Connect the electrical plugs.
Replace the lid plate and screw the four screws into place.
Replace the rear seat by setting it in place and pushing down until the tabs lock in place.
