Does anyone have experience with fuel filter replacement DIY? I tried to replaced the fuel filter on my 98 Acura CL 2.3. It seems very simple: one only needs to unscrew too nuts. The thing is I was able to unscrew the top one and release fuel pressure.

However, I was unable to unscrew the bottom one by using two open wrenches. I should turn clockwise to unscrew the bottom one , shouldn't I?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

If this is like the 94-97 Accords, located on firewall foot well area on driver's side, then a special crow's foot socket is required to release the lower nut from the fuel filter housing. You also need to restrain the fuel filter housing from above.

This filter is not a normal maintenance item and only needs to be replaced if you have diagnosed a blockage. There is a pickup screen in the fuel tank that catches significant particles, so filter lasts a long time. It's never been replaced on my 94 Accord EX w/ 230k miles.

good luck

 

It is helpful to leave the filter completely attached to its bracket while you are trying to loosen the bottom nut. You need all the help you can get holding that thing.

A flare-nut wrench is not required, but it is helpful. It takes 2 open end wrenches.. one to hold the bottom of the filter, and the other to loosen the nut around the pipe. It also takes A LOT of strength and patience to break that nut free. If you have 100K+, it is kinda frozen on there, but it is possible to remove it. You should be turning the wrench on the pipe nut "up" toward the driver side of the car when looking down at the filter from the engine bay.

 

if you can spray it with pb blaster it will make it a lot easier!

 

I hope you have resolved the problem already. Anyway, I've just changed mine 2 weeks ago(at 130K). I was able to do it with 2 open end wrenchs(19mm and 14mm, I believe). As iansanderson mentioned, leave the filter on when you are loosing the bottom nut. I assume your are doing this standing at the driver side of car by the front fender. I pulled the accelerator cable out from it's holder to gain a little bit more access.

 

sorry I forgot to mention that I did loose the bolt on the top first(just a little bit though, ~half turn) to release the pressure in the fuel line. Also, what you are trying to loose is the 14mm nut, which is the lower one if you view from the top.

 

its a bitch either way,good luck/