97 Grand Am GT Fuel Filter Replacement Issue

[RoBsTaMaCk]

My father and I were working on my 97 Grand Am GT yesterday doing various odds and ends. The fuel filter was one of them and was being stubborn - as a result I want to make sure that what we did was ok.

The fuel filter has the side with threads and the side with a little metal tube-like structure onto which one of the fuel lines connects. The parts store had sold us the wrong tool so we were forced to wrench the line off of the filter. When we had gotten the thing off there was this metal piece that was inside the end of the fuel line. We thought it was the compression/fixture piece for the old filter so we yanked it out of the line. Unlike the old fuel line, the new filter only had a plastic compression/fiture piece to hold it in place. After we put that on the force needed to literally yank the hose off the filter was substantially less than the original. So far no gas leaks whatsoever so the connection appears solid.

My question is: did we need to reinstall that little metal piece into the end of the fuel line or was that merely a part from the old filter? I need to know before that piece gets pitched and I have to go buy another part. Also, what is the easiest way to change these things? We inspected it and couldn't figure out how to remove the thing short of wrenching it off. Any help would be _greatly_ appreciated.

[4kQuad]

I can't answer your question, but I have seen threads like this a few times. You might get help faster by searching for fuel filter or change fuel filter.

Not a lot of people on right now.

My gut feeling is not to drive it till you know for sure. I hate walking home from a broken down car.

[RoBsTaMaCk]

Ah, after searching the forums it appears everyone else had a horrible time getting the thing off. I'd still like to hear anyone's opinion on that little metal piece, however.

[lifeliberty]

basicallythe one nozzle end that should have the washer looking thing on it about the size of a dime gets pushed into the fuel line. there is an o ring in the fuel line that seals the nozzle, and there are 3 or 4 metal (copper??) tabs that you push the dime piece on the nozzle up past and those tabs lock the dime piece into the fule line. to get the filter off you have to push the filter into the fuel line, push those metal tabs back to keep them from pushing on the dime piece, and hold them back so you can slide the fileter off the line. i spent over a week figuring how to remove the filter.

on the original GA filter there is a black plastic ring around the nozzle where it meets the fuel line, you are supposed to use this piece, push it into the fuel line and twist it to back the metal tabs off the washer dime piece and then slip the filter out.

I broke the black plactic piece. I think there is a tool that can be purchased that clamps around the nozzle and you slide it up toward the fuel line and push the pins back and that releases the nozzle. I didn't realize that until later. to eventually get the nozzle off I basically packed strips of zip tie around the nozzle and by packing it in there i was able to back the pins off the dime piece and slide the filter off

the new filter does come with a plasctic piece that does no good. it is for a quick disconnect type fitting. it is basically garbage unless you install an updated fuel line.

to connect the filter, insert nozzle into fuel line until dime piece pushed past pins and the lock into pisition prevent the filter from coming loose.

that was my experience with the fuel filter on the 97

[RoBsTaMaCk]

Ok, when we removed the OEM filter there was this round metal thing that was stuck in the fuel line. Is this the dime piece you are referring to? We removed that because we thought it was part of the OEM filter. If so, do I need to disconnect the filter, push that metal thing back into the fuel line, and then reconnect the filter?

[rixGAphx]

You are fine as you are.

On at least my '96 and I see for your '97, teh GM boneheads used a goofy 'quick-connect' fitting between their 'normal' plastic fuel line and everybody's 'normal' fuel filter.

Note this is a Quick CONNECT fitting, making it easy for GM to assemble.
Nobody said ANYTHING about 'Quick DISconnect'!!!

By the time the vehicle is old enough to need a fuel filter replacement, the spaces inside the GM QC piece are solidly-junked with sand, gravel, road tar, bubblegum, bird poo, and everything else from the pavement.

Everybody has a biotch of a time removing that old QC fitting; I was replacing my fuel pump anyway, and it came with new tubing. So I just whacked my filter off with shop shears.

Anywho, all of the sealing in the 'new' QC fitting is performed by the O-ring, and the design is such that it is self-tightening when the fuel pump pressure increases.
As you've observed, it doesn't leak.
As you've observed, you can't just grab the tube and pull it from the filter.

The proper tool for removing a QC fitting depends on the available space.
For *most* applications, where there is an inch or more of space for access, there are metal 'scissors-like' tools with several different size combinations.
For the '96-'97 GA POS FF QC fitting, the proper tool is the set of 6 different colored plastic disc 'wrenches', that look like they cost about 7 cents each to make. They ought sell them at the 99 cent store, instead of asking $12 at Checker :banghead:
These are the only 'tools' narrow-enough to fit in that space.

So unless you did something very wrong, and I don't comprehend how 'loose' the thing is, then you're ok.

I definitely did NOT reuse any part of the old fitting, and frankly I don't know what 'dime' part lifeliberty is talking about.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

You throw stuff out??
I have used gaskets and fan belts older than you.
Toss that metal thingy in the glovebox, as a momento :D :D

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by RoBsTaMaCk
The fuel filter has the side with threads and the side with a little metal tube-like structure onto which one of the fuel lines connects. The parts store had sold us the wrong tool so we were forced to wrench the line off of the filter. When we had gotten the thing off there was this metal piece that was inside the end of the fuel line. We thought it was the compression/fixture piece for the old filter so we yanked it out of the line. Unlike the old fuel line, the new filter only had a plastic compression/fiture piece to hold it in place.

I've replaced the fuel filter in my '97 twice and I have no idea what metal piece you are talking about except to think maybe you broke part of the end of the fuel filter and it just came out afterwards??? :???:

As for the plastic part on the new filter, if you're talking about that greenish clip on the end, you're supposed to remove that for installation on a 1997 car. It doesn't need/use that plastic bit to hold the fuel filter in the quick-connect side. In fact, I'm curious as to how you even fit the fuel filter in the quick-connect with the plastic bit attached... I too tried this the first time I was replacing it, but there was no way it would fit. The old filter didn't have it so I removed it and it fit fine.

Also, there is no tool required to remove the fuel filter on a 96-98 car... Unless the clips (which do get extremely brittle over time) break, a tool is not required. All you need to do is squeeze the quick connect end (with the multi-segmented plastic thing) really well and pull on the filter. If the segments of the plastic break, then is when you'll need a tool to remove it. I'm assuming that when you say you pulled it off with a wrench, what you actually did was hold the one end and pull the filter off the other end... I'm willing to bet you squeezed the quick-connect fitting and you essentially did what you're supposed to do to get it off anyway.

[lifeliberty]

for some reason pontiac decided to use 2 different fuel filter fittings on the 97. so depending on what 97 you have, the removal process will be different

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/09/d0/ee/0900823d8009d0ee.jsp

mine is figures 1 and 2. figure 5 shows the "dime/washer" piece that is part of the fuel filter nozzle. (don't know how else to describe it) it is around the male fitting. it should be welded and part of the male fitting.

with any fuel filter you should always have a way to "lock" it into position.

"8. Once installed, pull on both ends of each connection to make sure they are secure. " (from autozone website)


did the piece you got out of the fuel line look more like a ring that fits around the inside wall of the fuel line and have 4 prongs, or like a washer?

[humphreyxiao]

I have done several times, it was quite easy. Take a look at the picture, you need to squeez the two plastic latches and pull from the fuel line, I did not even bother with any tools other than the open end wrenches which are for the othe end of the filter.

http://www.rockauto.com/ref/WIX/DetailWIX.htm?www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=33311

[RoBsTaMaCk]

did the piece you got out of the fuel line look more like a ring that fits around the inside wall of the fuel line and have 4 prongs, or like a washer?

Definitely a ring that fits around the inside wall of the fuel line w/ 4 prongs.

-=Rob

[VanishingImage]

yea I can vouch the quick connect or "quick disconnect" was in a PITA for me when I replaced mine. I ended up getting a new small section of fuel line and making it easier for me next time.

[lifeliberty]

Originally posted by RoBsTaMaCk
Definitely a ring that fits around the inside wall of the fuel line w/ 4 prongs.

-=Rob


yeah, that goes back in. the prongs point away from the filter. you can probably see how it works now. those prongs are what lock the fuel filter into the fuel line. that ring will sit in the fuel line. as you insert the fuel filter the ring around the nozzle will push the tabs back against the wall of the fuel line. keep pushing until the ring passes the tabs and they (the tabs) will lock into place behind the ring making removal difficult. and you can see in the pictures on the website I posted that you get a tool that just fits around the nozzle and you slide it toward the fuel line. as you slide that tool up the nozzle into the fuel line fitting, the tool will push the tabs against the wall of the fuel line thus releasing the ring.

that's the way this fitting works, I wish I had the easy one with the 2 tabs, but it's not hard once you know how to do it.

[RoBsTaMaCk]

Unfortunately, at this point that washer thing is _long_ gone. However, I've yet to see any leakage or other issues with the fuel filter, fuel line, acceleration, etc. Is it going to be fine to leave or should I replace the part of the fuel line going to the fuel filter?

[lifeliberty]

I can't tell you if it will be fine or not. I would not leave it that way though. I wouldn't trust the pressure of some O-rings around the nozzle to keep the filter locked on the fuel line.

since you are dealing with gasoline, a substance you don't want leaking, I would err on the side of caution. I have no idea what would happen if you left it alone, how lucky do you feel? I'm a better safe than sorry person.

anyway, you would have to replace that entire line (best way), or cut off the end and connect a new fuel line fitting to it.

or if possible, I don't know if they are still around, but if you can get your hands on the part you threw away, either from a junk yard or auto store (I highly doubt they carry this style anymore, it's all clips now.) , you can install that piece into your current fuel line to lock the filter to the fuel line.

in the future I suggest keeping any parts you take off your car and don't know what function they carry. I normally through all used and old parts into a big plastic storage container because you never know when you might be in need of something.