petrol engine - fuel filter replacement

[Caveman_nige]

was about to change the fuel filters on my cars today as they have not been done before during my ownership. Starting on my Signum, I have the car jacked up and can see the filter but cannot see how you get the hoses off, obviously they clip over the retainer clips on the filter, but how do you remove them?

Another question, if the car has been parked up for 12 hours do i still need to depressurize the fuel system, haynes manual says not buy youtube says yes. Do you prime the new filter before fitting it?

[Marcosuk]

My mechanic used a set of mole grips at either end 2 stop fuel spill, then removed the filter...

Didn't see how he got the plastic clips of tho...

[ed taylor]

It is a good idea to buy some new clips as they can break. From memory to remove them you need to squeeze the centre tag "like thing" then pull the pipe off. Some fuel will run out. They can be very tight to come off too. As to presurizing the system. I just started mine up with the new filter fitted and it was ok.

[Caveman_nige]

the new filters come with new retaining clips so not so concerned about them, its just removing the hoses so that retaining clips stay on the filter in whatever state and not in the hose.

[Deztroyer]

i used 2 small flat bladed screwdrivers to pop off the end closest to the engine - then the 2nd was a doodle

[Caveman_nige]

thats what i have just tried, will go and have another go..

EDIT: Ok that worked, thanks.. Next question, how do you get the filter to come out of it holder?

[Caveman_nige]

ok, it slides forward and come out, just not so easy if its an old manky one like mine..

thanks guys, now for the other vecs..

[ed taylor]

They can rust in a bit sometimes.

[Caveman_nige]

one was really rusty and was a pig to get off, ended up with petrol on my face, but its a job worth doing and I did notice the difference in the drive afterwards..

[soulman]

one was really rusty and was a pig to get off, ended up with petrol on my face, but its a job worth doing and I did notice the difference in the drive afterwards..

Dean is borrowing a special tool for removing these when he finally gets the time to finish my service lol ...