loxx0050

I just changed my fuel filter on my 99.5 1.8TQM and man was it a PITA job. Mainly getting it apart and the fuel filter changed wasn't too bad. But I couln't get the whole assembly back together completely.

So how bad is it to not put back the fuel filter strap bolt and one of the fuel tank strap bolts back on the car (one of the threads somehow stripped so it won't screw back in anymore)? I can't seem to get at these at a good angle because I used jack stands and didn't use a lift to do the work. They do seem secure enough not to present a problem but what do you guys think?

Next time I would rather pay someone to do it than do the work without a lift.

Gjaime

Get those straps back on there. You don't want the fuel filter to move around.

I did notice when I changed mine, it was a little harder to start the bolts back in. Holding the fuel tank straps in. Try again by hand then tighten with socket.


jaime

loxx0050

There isn't enough space to get the bolt to line up with the threaded hole (tried by hand for almost an hour). Also the fuel tank strap bolt doesn't want to go in. I can get it started by hand tightening it but when I try to thread it any further it will just pop out on its own. I am going to take it to a shop on my next day off and see what they can do. It should take more than 30 minutes for them to adjust it correctly.

CharlieGSanD

after i got the filter back in, i wanted to see if it would leak before i put the straps back on & tightned the whole tank back up in there... i just happened to have a drum of 100 octane @ the time so i figured i pump in a few gals & run the pump to see if the filter drips....

i must have gotten high off the fumes or something because i didnt stop pumping until the tank was full of fuel & impossible to maneuver back into place, much less get those straps on

i ended up using a few cardboard boxes to distribute the load across the tank, then lowered the car until i could get the straps on