Help with Fuel Filter, 1997 Protege LX / Z5-DE 1.5L

[Baralheia]

Okay, I've got a 1997 Protege LX with the Z5-DE 1.5L engine, and I'm trying to replace the fuel filter. However, it seems Mazda was on crack when desiging the layout of the engine compartment, and so far, I've had to remove the air cleaner and hose assembly, drain the radiator and remove the hoses for the heater core, and unplug upteen number of sensors just to get into the vacinity of the filter. I've unbolted the clamp around the filter and gotten it lose from it's bracket, but there is no physical way I can find to get at the hose clamps to remove the damn thing.

Anyone have any tips for getting the fuel filter out of the car?

 

[Salmon_Rob]

have you tried aproaching it from the bottom?

 

[Baralheia]

have you tried aproaching it from the bottom?

Sure have. The rear engine mount makes it impossible to get my hand up in there with a pair of pliers to get the clamp off. I mean, I can get my hand up to the filter, just not with a pair of pliers.

Had Mazda put the fuel filter closer to the passenger side of the car, this job would be a piece of cake. Instead, they mount it right above the rear engine mount. >.<

 

[Salmon_Rob]

hmm...i know in the first gens its a pita...we ended up using one of those pliers that are like needle nose, but the nose bends like 90 degrees so you can get it in odd places

 

[Baralheia]

hmm...i know in the first gens its a pita...we ended up using one of those pliers that are like needle nose, but the nose bends like 90 degrees so you can get it in odd places

I swore at it for a while, and it stared back unflinchingly, so I gave up and just cut the rubber hose. The fuel line that comes up to the filter was a PITA to get to so I could put the new hose on, but it wasn't as difficult as trying to move the clamp and remove the hose from the filter end as it was in the car.

Man these things are a PITA. I guess I'm just too used to American steel, lol (my other car is a 1985 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton pickup =D )

Anyway, thanks for the help. Much appreciated. =)

 

[Salmon_Rob]

no problemo. glad you solved your problem

 

[9296D21B14]

FWIW, I just replaced the original ff on my 98 with 196K miles. Yikes. It was my third attempt. I used a 90 degree angled pick from a set I got in the $3.99 tool bin to loosen the hose at each end of the filter by inserting it between the filter fitting and the hose. Lineman's pliers were also a help with the spring clamps. They were replaced with screw clamps. All made much easier with tips from here. Good to go for another 200k!

 

[Baralheia]

Good to go for another 200k!

Thanks for the tips, but...

(omg) Read your owner's manual! The service interval might have changed, but at least in 1997, these fuel filters need to be replaced every 60k! If you let the filter run too long, it will just clog and bypass the fuel without filtering it... in other words, bad news for fuel injectors, valves, pistons...

An engine will NOT last if you don't take good care of it. Good care means following the manufacturer's service interval (even if somewhat loosely followed).

 

[9296D21B14]

Just kidding about the next ff interval. I'm just coming out of a long fog on some DIY PM items thanks to this and other forums. When I emptied the old filter, the gas didn't look as bad as some others I have changed on other vehicles with far fewer miles. Hopefully not too much long term damage was done. This Pro actually has had very few problems in spite of my unintentional neglect in some areas. A current first AutoRx treatment for the engine cleared a P1195 code (MAP boost sensor) and and some in the auto tranny has smoothed out shifts after too long between pan drops/filter changes there as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[grey1]

Thanks for the tips, but...

(omg) Read your owner's manual! The service interval might have changed, but at least in 1997, these fuel filters need to be replaced every 60k! If you let the filter run too long, it will just clog and bypass the fuel without filtering it... in other words, bad news for fuel injectors, valves, pistons...

An engine will NOT last if you don't take good care of it. Good care means following the manufacturer's service interval (even if somewhat loosely followed).

How the will filter bypass if clogged? ...never heard that before

 

[nativebackup1]

if the filter gets clogged the the fuel will bypass the filter altogether, and the fuel will be used unfiltered.

 

[grey1]

you are saying there is a bypass valve within the filter housing?