With proper maintenance, your Volvo 740 can go for miles without a problem. As part of its recommended maintenance schedule, Volvo advises replacing the fuel filter every 60,000 miles (96,000 Km). Over time, dirt, rust and other foreign particles trapped in the filter element begin to restrict fuel flow. Installing a new filter will keep the correct amount of fuel flowing to your 740 engine. You can replace the filter at home in less than an hour without any special tools.
Detach the ashtray from the center console by pushing in the spring clip at the top of the ashtray.
Remove the fuse panel cover.
Detach the cigarette lighter cover using a small flat head screwdriver.
Remove the ashtray assembly by unscrewing the two mounting bolts using a Phillips head screwdriver.
Locate the relay box behind the fuse box under the console and remove the fuel pump relay. This is the white or cream colored box in the middle row and to the left of the relay box. Pull the relay straight out of its base.
Start the engine and let it idle until it dies from lack of fuel. Turn off the ignition key.
Plug the fuel pump relay back into the relay box.
Reinstall the ashtray assembly by securing the two mounting bolts using the Phillips head screwdriver.
Snap on the cigarette lighter cover.
Replace the fuse panel cover and ashtray onto the center console.
Disconnect the battery terminal from the battery post using a wrench.
Loosen the fuel filler cap.
Raise the rear driver's side tire and wheel assembly using a floor jack.
Support the vehicle with a jack stand.
Locate the fuel filter mounted on the frame rail in front of the fuel tank.
Hold the top filter nut with a back-up wrench and loosen the fuel line retaining nut with a flare wrench. Then unscrew the retaining nut the rest of the way by hand. Wrap a shop rag around the retaining nut and back off the nut to separate the line from the top of the filter. Use the rag to absorb the residual fuel in the line.
Detach the other fuel line attached to the bottom of the fuel filter.
Loosen the fuel filter clamp bolt using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Slide the fuel filter off the mounting clamp and out of the vehicle.
Replace the fuel lines' copper seals with new ones.
Slide the new fuel filter into the mounting clamp with the flow arrow on the filter pointing to the fuel line that goes to the front of your Volvo. Then tighten the mounting clamp with the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Start one of the fuel line retaining nuts into the fuel filter fitting by hand to avoid stripping the nut.
Hold the fuel filter nut with the back-up wrench and tighten the line retaining nut using the flare wrench.
Install the other fuel line to the other end of the fuel filter as described in Steps 3 and 4 of this section.
Lower your Volvo using the floor jack.
Tighten the fuel filler cap.
Connect the battery terminal using the wrench.
Turn the ignition key to the "On" position to pressurize the fuel system and check for fuel leaks at the fuel filter. Then turn off the ignition.
