The fuel system on the 1999 Ford Escort comes equipped with a canister-type fuel filter. The fuel filter is a cylinder-shaped canister with a inner filter that traps any type of impurities from the gas. These impurities can include small particles of debris and sediments. Once that the gas is pumped out of the gas tank, the gas travels through the fuel filter. Once the gas strains through the inner filter, the clean gas then flows to the engine. Replace the fuel filter anytime between 60,000 and 75,000 miles as recommended by Ford.
Park the 1999 Ford Escort in a ventilated area and open the hood. Turn off the engine. Remove the gas cap from the gas tank to relieve the gas pressure from the fuel filter and the fuel lines. This process will prevent gas from spraying everywhere once the fuel lines are removed from the filter.
Locate the round cylinder-shaped fuel filter mounted inside of the engine compartment on the passenger side firewall. The fuel filter has a fuel line coming out of the top of the filter and a fuel line coming out of the bottom of the filter.
Position the drip pan underneath the Ford Escort in the general area of the fuel filter. Locate the plastic clip that secures the bottom fuel line to the bottom of the fuel filter. Slide the end of the screwdriver underneath the clip and pry outward until the clip is completely out of the fuel line. Pull the bottom fuel line straight off of the bottom of the fuel filter.
Remove the top fuel line from the top of the fuel filter by sliding the end of the screwdriver underneath the clip and prying outward until the clip is completely out of the fuel line. Pull the top fuel line straight off of the fuel filter.
Loosen the clamp from the fuel filter by unscrewing the clamp screw with the flat-head screwdriver. Make note of the direction of the arrow that is stamped on the side of the fuel filter. The arrow represents the proper flow of the gas through the fuel filter.
Pull the fuel filter out of the bracket and put it in the drip pan. Position the new fuel filter into the clamp with the flow arrow pointing in the same direction as the old fuel filter.
Push the fuel lines straight onto the fuel filter ports. Push the new clips inward until the clips are completely inside of the fuel lines. Gently pull out on the fuel lines to ensure that they are secured to the fuel filter.
Turn the ignition to the accessory position for about five seconds and back off. Repeat this process a total of three times before cranking the engine. This will prime the fuel filter with gas and remove any air from the fuel lines and the fuel filter.
Crank the 1999 Ford Escort and inspect the new fuel filter for leaks. Turn off the engine and close the hood. Slide the drip pan out from under the car.
