Fuel filter change 5.3 2004 Flex fuel.

[Jimmy John]

Changed my fuel filter and thought I would pass along some of the issues I had. I bled the pressure in the line first. Mine is located under the frame just about where the driver sits. The screw end broke loose pretty easy and the hose end actually came loose easier than I thought it would by pushing the two clips together with my fingers. The hard part was getting it off due to not having any access to the upper bolt that holds the plastic mount on. I finally gave up on removing the mount and took loose the flex fuel sensor it has 4 screws that have plastic washers that cover both sides of the metal mounting bracket apparently to isolate it from ground. An yellow o ring fell off when I pulled the hose off the end of the filter. After removing the screws from the fuel sensor I could push the filter out towards the front of the suburban. When putting it back together I put the yellow o ring on the filter first then tried to get the hose fitting to clip back on but could not get it in far enough to snap back in finally took it back apart and looked in hose with light and could see another o ring still inside the hose this oring was black. Took that o ring out and could still see something blocking the hose inlet and a metal washer came out. I find it hard to believe that there would be 2 orings in there but went a head and put the other oring on the filter next to the orange one and finally put the washer on it went right back together and didn't leak.

 

[mizzouguy]

On mine, same year, I've always just changed the o-ring on the inlet side of the filter (metal line) and never had anything fall out of the rubber quick connect side. Strange.

 

[Jimmy John]

Didn't have one on the metal side unless the yellow one fell out of that side which is a possibility. So far i haven't seen a leak.

 

[Jimmy John]

 

[Jimmy John]

 

[Jimmy John]

 

[Jimmy John]

 

[Jimmy John]

 

[mizzouguy]

If its not leaking I guess I'd roll with it, but the end of the metal line is supposed to have an o-ring on it, it has a small "nipple" on the end of the line that an o-ring sits on and assists with sealing, in addition to it being a flared fitting. As for your flexible line side, that looks sketchy lol. None of those o-rings or washer should be there, only an o-ring that is recessed into the metal fitting that also houses the spring clip. It may even have two side by side, i've never looked in there with a flashlight to verify. It's a nice tight fit as the filter slides into the metal fitting on the end of the line and it clips into place.

 

[mizzouguy]

Your other problem may be that the clip supplied with the filter, as well as the one in use, is wrong. It uses a metal spring clip.
Only place I've found them besides the dealer is dorman part number 800-093. That may be a lot of the confusion about that side. Sorry I didnt catch it before.

They look like that and are a pain to release/replace lol. But I've done it several times.
MAYBE the plastic one can be used instead but next time you change it I would switch it to the metal one.
Almost makes me think someone in the past just kinda used what they had available and rigged it.

 

[Jimmy John]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[mattt]

Thread resurrection. My 04 Tahoe does not have the plastic fitting on the outlet, press, spring lock side. It appears to have the metal spring lock but I can't see due to the filter being a tight fit on the line. I have tried my fuel line release tool, the plastic ring tool type and they are too deep to work. Is there a special release ring tool for an 04 Chevy? The replacement fuel filter I bought at O'Reillys came with the plastic spring lock clip with the tabs to push, but it wasn't there factory.

 

[xjsc16x]

Thread resurrection. My 04 Tahoe does not have the plastic fitting on the outlet, press, spring lock side. It appears to have the metal spring lock but I can't see due to the filter being a tight fit on the line. I have tried my fuel line release tool, the plastic ring tool type and they are too deep to work. Is there a special release ring tool for an 04 Chevy? The replacement fuel filter I bought at O'Reillys came with the plastic spring lock clip with the tabs to push, but it wasn't there factory.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-35000-Fuel-Filter-Disconnect/dp/B000K1IVV4

 

[mattt]

Is that the only one that works on GM fuel filters? I see it is a little slimmer in design.

This is the tool I have currently and it's worked on everything else I own thus far.....

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ol-disconnect-tool/w83148/4614577?q=AC+&pos=5

 

[Chubbs]

There are several DIY threads on this subject. If the original fuel filter is being replaced (such as @mattt has going on here) a hacksaw is used since there aren't any disconnect tools that will fit in the allowed space. There are a couple ways to go about it. The replacement fuel filters are redesigned with a longer output shank so that a disconnect tool can be used in the future servicing.

I more recently had the same problem with a 2008 Ford Escape where the fuel filter stub ends were so short that the canister body is too close to the pipe fittings such that the proper release tool could not be used. UNTIL ... I dropped the $25 or $30 something ridiculous on the tool NAPA sells. It would prob even have worked on the Yukon.

The 2-piece slim disc is required, nothing else is going to work. There isn't anything you can think of which hasn't already been tried.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-34750-Profile-Fuel-Disconnect/dp/B002BI2DU4

 

[mattt]

What type of hacksaw is everyone using who's gone this route? My hacksaw has a frame to hold the blade and I don't see it getting in there. Is there a special hack saw with blade only? Thanks in advance.

 

[mattt]

I'm thinking when people say hacksaw, they're using the wrong name for the type of "hack saw" they used to get the factory filter out?

Hacksaw, never going to fit where the filter is. https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/4b....jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

 

[PG01]

Framless hacksaw..blade and handle only
Any hardware store/hd/lowes/hazard fraught/amazon have them.. been around for years. I used to make my own with papertowel center cardboard, rag and black electrical tape, pain in the *** to hold on to but worked in a pinch.

 

[mattt]

Cool. Thank you for the info....never seen one of those before. I see a need a new tool. Thanks again.

 

[Doubeleive]

duck tape on one end of a bare blade would work too, if it doesn't your not using enough duck tape, also when changing fuel filters I just pull the fuel pump fuse then give it a few cranks to relieve any pressure.