I've got my '94 Mazda Protege with 120k miles on it. I've been doing some regular maintainence on it, but the one thing I have not yet done (only had the car for about 4k miles) is change the fuel filter. I know you're supposed to do it every 12k miles, but I don't know when the last time it was done, so I was going to do it. I am going to go over to autozone right now to pick up the part, I just wanted to know if there was anything special that needed to be done in the process of doing this? Is it just a matter of removing two clamps and swapping the filter out? Should the fuel tank be empty or does it not matter? Best if done if engine is hot/cold or doesn't matter? Thanks guys.

BTW: '94 Mazda Protege DX 1.8L SOHC

~jeff~

 

I did mine not too long ago, a real PITA! Just hard to get to and a small working area. I would do it with the engine cold and try removing the intake for more work space. The bottom hose proved to be the hardest and I eventually came from under the car to remove it. Hope this helps.

 

Actually, the manual specs fuel filter changes at 60k intervals (when you're doing the timing belt ).

The procedure is to pull the back seat to access the fuel pump wiring, start the car and then unplug the fuel pump. The car should run a couple of seconds and then die. This will relieve the pressure in the system. Then remove the air intake hose for clearance, pull the hose clamps and then the hoses off the filter (and they well be stuck on), and then loosen the two bolts holding the filter to the firewall (10mm socket). Installation is the reverse.

 

you think it's a good idea to run the car until it runs out of fuel ...
i am not sure about that one ....
Bruce

 

Its the same as if you were to run out of gas. It doesnt hurt the engine. Its just to relieve the fuel pressure so when you take the fuel lines off it doesnt come pouring out.

 

ohh ok ,, gotcha .. just never tried it .. I usually just unplug em ..
Bruce

 

You might have to remove the battery as well for more space.

 

I just bought some hose clamps from auto zone. Clamp the top hose.

 

yes i have done this a few times since i probably have more miles on my protege than anyone on here LOL. ya its a real pain in the you know what to get to and like someone said i would unplug the ful pump under back seat and start the car to let it burn up the pressurised gas.

 

no, cablemirc has ya beat buddy... has a red dx just like you as a matter of fact...lol. i have to tackle this task myself, i know it was in the last 30,000 miles, but who cares, couldn't hurt to change it, right?
peace

 

a long pair of spring loaded needlenose pliers work really good for that bottom clamp. i had mine changed in less then a 1/2 hour and this was the first it looked liked it had ever been changed. ( i bought back in feb. and it ran like ****, but once i changed it ran a whole lot better)

 

When you change your fuel filter do you experience better mpg??

 

i experienced a whole lot better, but that's because the filter that was on there looked like it had never been changed since the factory!!!

 

Something else I thought of to get the hoses off easier, try twisting the filter, that helped to break the lines free for me.

 

when i first changed mine i was experiencing hesitation at high speeds like over 90 or so. it seems that at those high speeds the clogged up filter was limiting the fuel pressure going to the engine. i know its good to change parts after a certain # of miles but this one is hard as hell to change (for me) so i do it when i have that hesitation again