How to change the fuel filter on your Subaru

Don't have 90 pliers? Amazon can help with that www.amazon.com/...
How to change the fuel filter on your Subaru

[@wave3trader]

I am always in awe and humbled by those like yourself who so graciously share their knowledge for free.. much appreciated

[@michaeleverettkolb3333]

Thank you .

[@dakellymon]

Thank you for your efforts. It's a simple procedure, but it's always nice to see it done before doing it.

[@TravelingKory]

Brian, thanks so much for sharing! Changed my fuel filter among other work on my 03 Forester today without incident, thanks to your video!

[@turbofiat]

If you let the engine sit overnight, the fuel pressure will bleed off to nothing. Or pull the fuse and let the engine run until it stalls. My '03 Baja developed this bucking condition around 2700 rpms in 3rd gear. It would also do this after I topped the fuel tank off. I replaced the fuel filter at around 71K miles. I'm not sure if fuel filter was the cause. I also cleaned the battery posts which reset the ECU and have not noticed any bucking since then. Weird.

[@briansmobile1]

@emadseksek Free info like I provide is all over the web. It just takes some ingenuity to come up with the right search phrase on Google to find it. If it sat for 3 months with the battery hooked up it's likely got the "white death" on the cell plates inside. I would have it charged, tested bad, and hold a funeral for it, so you feel good about replacing it with a new one. Autozone does all but the funeral for free. (they do handle burial costs for free. Hidden terminal corrosion check too

[@briansmobile1]

It's one of the two likely.

[@gabels540]

what about the fuel filter in the fuel tank? wouldnt you want to change that one first? And do you have a video for that one????? Thanks!

[@mohamuduhashi9355]

Where's the fuel filter located for 02 models? I'm not sure but i think its the same as this one but it's a bit bigger and black instead. I'm not sure whether thats the Fuel Filter.

[@mohamuduhashi9355]

Thanks Elias

[@adrianafokshey259]

How often should the fuel filter be changed? My Subaru has about 48,000 miles. Should I have done one already @briansmobile1?

[@testdirver]

what year its???

[@briansmobile1]

@paulievox Please Thumb up this comment. Thank you. I would highly suggest you advise folks to depressurize the fuel system prior to disconnecting fuel system lines, as well as to make sure the car is cool. You wouldn't want to get petrol on a red-hot catalytic converter or exhaust manifold. As you mentioned in this video, that petrol is under pressure.1) Open fuel fill door and unscrew gas cap.2) Disconnect the fuel pump power cable.Start and run the car until its out of gas.

[@Illiescu7]

After watching your video, I got the idea to spray the silicone lubricant in to help get the rubber tubes off of the fuel filter, and that worked. I just used some pliers to pull up a little gap in the opening of the tube and spray the lubricant in it and then use the pliers to rotate the tube back & forth to get the lubricant spread down inside the tube. Then I was able to push them off a lot easier.

[@briansmobile1]

+Eli Dumitru FOR. THE. WIN!

[@eyeofbast]

You can get a cheap tool to pop off the lines at NAPA, etc. careful spraying lubricants as it can find it’s way into the fuel line.

[@tommygray7250]

@@eyeofbast L

[@jontague3896]

Wish I read this before I did mine.. I just ended up cutting them off. They broke when I tried using pliers

[@briansmobile1]

@counkev It gets full like your trash can. Every 45k miles is recomended on most cars. Do it every year if you live where you buy 1. Oxygenated gas 2. Maverick gas 3. Costco gas 4. Crappy rusted ground tank gas station gas.

[@briansmobile1]

As long as you do it safely utilizing a spare hose and a catch basin. Otherwise you're hosing your left bank plug wires with gas when you crank it. FIRE!!!! AHHH!!!!

[@ciarancavalleri8326]

Just got done changing mine - many thanks for the video. I think I take the cake for stuck hoses though - took me 3-4 minutes just to get them off! Seriously though, your videos have been indispensable in saving me quite a bit of money on labor - changing the fuel filter sounded like a trip to the shop before I watched how relatively simple it is.

[@Nordlicht05]

a hinge i heared was to drop very hot water over the hoses.

[@jontague3896]

Bro..I just had to cut mine off. Ha. Had to replace the whole line.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

If you have a really small flathead screwdriver you can sometimes wedge it into the space between the rubber and the aluminum lines to break them loose, running it around the inside circumference while twisting.

[@briansmobile1]

That's a bad filter! Get one made in USA or Israel- they're usually pretty good. CHINA! WHY YOU MAKE THINGS POORLY??

[@briansmobile1]

@bigrigdriver22964 You can't say it will solve it till you have a waveform showing it's faulty, or by replacing it.

[@briansmobile1]

You can't pull the lines off without tearing them. You have to PUSH them off like a Chinese finger trap.

[@briansmobile1]

It's more than just suspended fuel like water in a garden hose- it's more like a small water balloon.

[@briansmobile1]

Check that your lines didn't get switched. If you have them backwards fuel will not flow.

[@PapaGaledar]

Video might be 12 years old but by God you just saved this 21 year old a lot of money. Thank you for the help big man

[@briansmobile1]

lol Almost every fuel injected car I can think of is pressurized. ; )

[@briansmobile1]

Fuel pump is under the back seat passenger side (North American)

[@jno2366]

I agree with wave3trader. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. It has saved me a ton of money recently. I did my own timing belt, and I am about to do a tune up as well. Thanks Brian, keep up the good work. Jeff

[@briansmobile1]

This one is a 1998 built right here in the USA

[@briansmobile1]

You can get to the pump under the back seat and unplug it really easy. That's as good. The relay is just in the relay box under the hood. Check your manual for which one to pull.

[@briansmobile1]

@Flaheat Pushing seems to work best.

[@briansmobile1]

@mom3jmz Napa, Autozone, Parts Plus, Rockauto.com . When disassembling the filter pay attention or even mark what goes where. That way assembly will be easy.

[@Touretiquette]

Just curious, why don’t you mention what year the car is?

[@briansmobile1]

@TPB420 Thanks

[@JacanaProductions]

Just don't use the cheapest Fuel filter you can buy - $10 or less I think I paid - I bought a cheap one and it leaked after about 6 months. Now have OEM one.

[@briansmobile1]

@bigrigdriver22964 I got nothing for P1057. Codes 1570 and 1507 relate to Vehicle Speed Sensor 2 (VSS 2) and it's in the front differential in the right front of the transmission, above the axle shaft. Half the time it's not the sensor it's the plastic drive gear for it- it winds up looking like an apple core instead of a square cross section. You should also mention a speedometer failure or symptoms if this is the case.

[@briansmobile1]

I don't have a candidate to do at the moment. I can tell you this- Lift the front of the vehicle- pull the battery and washer tank. Pull the intake boot. Remove spark plug wires from the wells. Remove oil filler tube. Remove the six 10mm bolts from each cover. 3 from under hood 3 from undercar each side.

[@spelunkerd]

I've been in the habit of pulling the fuel filter relay and then running the car til it dies, to try and depressurize the fuel system before I disconnect the gas lines to the filter. Seems logical to avoid getting gas all over, though I suppose pressures will be minimal if the car has been sitting for long.

[@briansmobile1]

@mom3jmz It's easy. Under the hood there's a black fuse block cover next to the washer fluid tank. Take it off and flip it over. Underneath it's marked which one is the fuel pump. I don't have a Subaru handy, but if I get one I'll make a quick video on it.

[@jessjones56]

Brain I Love!!!!!! your videos I want to be a certified Subaru technician someday and I'm starting out by taking the best care of my 2011 Subaru Legacy and I credit you with a lot of the things I know about Subaru's. Thank You soo much... I'm going through all the videos You have made so far keep em coming

[@BlairAir]

Yes, this is nearly a decade old - but the classics never die... or something... just had to comment, if Brian still reads comments - I watched 2x to make sure you poured gas from the INLET.. like 3 card Monty hands there, but you got it. 2nd thing - pet peeve: PCV Valve - spoken like someone form the redundancy office of redundancy. LOL. Helpful video either way. Now I have to do the PCV.. Thanks a LOT, grrrr. :

[@reddeadryan78]

What if your subarus fuel filter is under the back seat like where most are located...

[@EntryLvloutdoors]

Fuel pump

[@briansmobile1]

@mom3jmz The fuel filter is a solid singular unit. To depressurize the system you pull your fuel pump relay and then start the car till it runs out of gas on these.

[@briansmobile1]

Yes/no. Crank the engine over. It won't start immediately, but it will eventually. Sometimes right away.

[@briansmobile1]

Toyota owns/controls much of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (company that builds Subaru's). Thus they use much of the same suppliers in the same country.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

You can relieve the pressure on the lines by taking off the gas cap, then unplugging the fuel pump relay in the fuse box. After that, turn over the engine and if it starts, let it run until it dies from lack of fuel. That way you will have less gas to clean up and you won't have to clamp the lines when they are bleeding gas all over. Another quicker way is to have a couple of sharpened Number 2 pencils handy to jam into the rubber fuel lines to stop the gas. You have to be careful not to break off the pencil tips if you do this.

[@briansmobile1]

You're welcome Moaski!

[@briansmobile1]

@jboydmv90 I don't know on that one for sure. On some they are on the left side of the vehicle kind of inside of the rear wheel well in front of the rear axle. I would follow the fuel line from the fuel rail back to the tank. The tank is behind/below the rear seat back.

[@briansmobile1]

@emadseksek What does it do when you turn the key to start? Does it rotate the engine? Fast? Slow? Rapid clicking? One solid clack!?

[@briansmobile1]

@prodriver1 They ARE EASY! = ) But you'd be surprised the questions I get- like "how do I clean my battery cables" etc. I figure just film all kinds of spectrum of difficulty- there's always people that it will really help.

[@motonerd14]

Your videos are super helpful. Sure beats paying a dealer tons of money to do this stuff. Thank you for sharing them!

[@briansmobile1]

I'm glad I could help!

[@RamiFef]

i wasn't looking to replace the filter but i found what i was looking for in this video and in the same time i got some useful idea how to replace the filter thanks

[@briansmobile1]

@emadseksek That IS the starter motor for sure- text book case. Specifically the back end of the starter is getting poor contact due to wear or corrosion. There are "L" shaped copper contacts that wear down or corrode. Usually you only have to do those, sometimes brushes too.

[@briansmobile1]

@prodriver1 Not a problem at all. I always love your feed back. Caps are hard to tell if you're being happy loud or angry loud. I was smiling when I typed that. = ). I love the simplicity of the Subaru too. I especially love the way the intake manifolds have disconnects on the wire harness'

[@briansmobile1]

@emadseksek Follow the positive batter cable to it. (the thickest one) It's located under the exhaust manifold. The best way to see it is through the wheel well behind that black tar paper curtain thingy.

[@matthewmarquis8732]

Thanks a lot Brian. This was incredibly helpful.

[@briansmobile1]

@spelunkerd It's a good Idea. That same thinking is key to servicing high pressure CNG cars.

[@briansmobile1]

You may need a new fuel pump. The symptoms match that of a waning fuel pump. (it's under the back passenger seat. It's easy.

[@briansmobile1]

@Mrjmoyer78 PA rocks! I used to live in Bucks County just over the bridge from Trenton.

[@briansmobile1]

Top hose in the bracket is the discharge from the tank.

[@kelseyk8752]

Any chance you could do a quick Subaru video on de/re-pressurizing the fuel system?

[@Ryan-jl5ox]

Thanks bud, too easy!!!

[@briansmobile1]

The sleeve is to prevent chafing and abrasion. (fuel leaks are bad for your health) You can substitute that sleeve/armor with most anything. The hose clamp is what keeps the fuel hose tight.

[@briansmobile1]

@Mrjmoyer78 I would LOVE to do vids on some swanky new Subie's the newest one's I see are 2008. The local Subaru dealership 2 blocks from my shop has been gone since 2008 and people just aren't getting new ones lately around here.

[@briansmobile1]

@ANGELVENCEDOR I can't say for sure. This is my first time hearing that happen. Sounds like a shorted bundle of wires. Does this happen multiple times? If so what conditions are present. Has it bottomed out hard recently? Has it been in a collision?

[@briansmobile1]

I would recommend to do it yourself if you feel you're up to it. It's easy once you've watched the video.

[@briansmobile1]

@transdetendal Sounds like you've worked on some Chrysler mini-vans ; )

[@briansmobile1]

The whole thing is replaced as a unit pipes and all.

[@richardwitt8248]

my 2004 forester seems to want to shut off when coming to a stop. Sometimes it's hard to start. it seems like if I pull up to a stop and put it in neutral, it doesn't try to shutoff. I don't have any problems at highway speed. Could it be fuel filter? It's got 240,000 miles, and I really don't know how long the filter has been in without replacement. Ideas?

[@tiopauw]

Possible vacuum leak if stalling at stops check vacuum hoses as well.

[@arthurpetryakov6836]

I have the same exact problem with my 1995 impreza!! Let me know if you ever figured out what the problem was because i changed my fuel filter (thanks to this awesome video) but my car still has the same problem going on. Anyone else that has an idea of what it might be please share!

[@Drieleven]

Did you ever figure this out? I have the exact same issue? Would love to know? Thanks!

[@cooliokilla6535]

If you haven’t already ready figured it out , it’s the torque converter. They put out a notice out for certain models. It’s not a recall but they’re fixing ones that show the problem for free. You to take it to a Subaru dealer. Just got mine done never stalled and shuttered again.

[@briansmobile1]

@BadBaru Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad I could help out.

[@briansmobile1]

@vangmc I did one on this a week ago. Next one I get, I'll video it for sure. Thanks for the request!

[@SALMANDER33]

I'm with Richard on that my subby also has 187xxx miles and shuts down after getting to a stop only in 3/4k rpms I replaced fuel pump like 2k ago and I'm fixing to replace pcv valve but would the fuel filter cause the car to stall out and start back up all by itself or is it a vacuum leak somewhere

[@briansmobile1]

Fuel filter, EGR valve, Pump, or ignition system.

[@Jayeeyee]

Isn't that the fuel damper? I thought the fuel filter is inside the gastank? At least that's how my setup is on my '04 STI. I have a fuel damper where its mounted to the location where your video shows and a fuel filter inside the tank.

[@briansmobile1]

@mjdaubney lol You're most welcome my friend! GINGER POWERRRRR!!!!

[@briansmobile1]

Every 15K miles or two years.

[@briansmobile1]

@TriniOnCrack Good question. "should I have drained the fuel lines before?" Many domestic cars have a schrader type valve to depresurize with. Subaru's don't. I did put a drain pan below to catch the fuel. The fuel pressure test done on this vehicle are done with an in line tester.

[@gizzyguzzi]

Can you pull the fuel pump fuse or relay fuse and crank to release the pressure?

[@Flaheat]

Good call on the goggle warning. I got splashed pretty good when I changed the fuel filter on my WRX. Mine had only been on there for 2 years, but was still pretty tough to get the lines off.

[@DagaenGolomb]

Did this today, checked online because my lines were being stiff as well. Saw that yours were and I realized I wasn't doing anything wrong lol. Thanks for these videos, though!

[@briansmobile1]

I can't think of anything in life that isn't "potentially hazardous."

[@logan5326]

Thanks, straight to the core and easy to understand and execute. 👍🏻👊🏻

[@bobholzman4242]

thank you for taking the time

[@briansmobile1]

@kylebielaproductions thats correct

[@johnlarisonsculpting]

I appreciate your time and your video. Of course, no easy job on an old car is ever easy. My hoses were dry rotted and so I had to ride my skateboard to the parts store (thankfully .4 miles away) and the guy there just gave me the hose, which I appreciated.

[@briansmobile1]

@krot84 You're welcome!

[@briansmobile1]

@TPB420 Thanks

[@rcdyer]

I've got 63,000 miles on my 2015 Legacy 2.5 premium. I shouldn't have to change anything on it yet.

[@tinamarie9047]

I have a 98 Subaru Legacy Brighton wagon...exactly like the outback. I did a dumb last week and put mid grade gas in and now the check engine light is on. I did put some octane boost in and the light went off but, now driving it today, the light came back on. Any suggestions?

[@tyjlewis1]

I'm a newb with car repairs, so this video helped a bunch. Thanks! Also, you have introduced me to the new most useful tool I own - those handy 90 degree pliers. Doubly thanks!

[@johnnacua9942]

Recently just changed my fuel filter, after doing few pulls on my NA, i saw smoke coming out of the hood LMAOOO

[@occysuby5241]

My engine cuts out randomly while driving. It starts straight up again. When it cuts out it cuts out in idle or when I back off the accelerator. Sometimes it cuts out straight away with no warning and other times I feel it loose power-like its running out of petrol. Sometimes I can stop it from cutting out by slamming my foot down on the accelerator to keep it going. Changed the fuel filter and drove fine for 100km then next day it cut out 3times. Do u know what else could cause these problems?

[@briansmobile1]

@Marhear2010 Glad to help. More love less fear!

[@eiworeldstahl4958]

Thank you! Sooo very informative. Very helpful to a Swedish chick who knows nothing 😁😁👍

[@briansmobile1]

It's in the tank. ; D

[@donjames5761]

i have a 2002 subaru out back limited 2.5l. my pcv is Part #:28-0225 and is down below where the hose leads down

[@dawnminto4789]

I just purchased a 2002 subaru forester. it bogs out a little when warmed up.i was think injectors. i am now thinking dirty fuel filter or fuel pump.where is the pump located? changing the filter looks quite easy. as i have background in auto mechanics,just not alot with subarus. so your veido was etremly helpful. thank you so much.

[@SushiPac]

On your 2004 STI your have the FUEL PUMP in your gas tank and in your engine bay you have a FUEL FILTER. your fuel filter is in the same exact spot as Brian is showing.. i have a 2002 wrx the cool thing about it is that everything on your 2004 STI can be directly bolted onto my car with little to no modifictaion. just alittle fun fact lol

[@transdetendal]

@briansmobile1 ha ha no ,well mey be , opel is part of GM so its a bit thesame,but alfa romeo s has the same trip and fords of european origin ,citroen peugeot too and it sucks crwlin under cus"whats wrong-when i press the gas it kinda dies" doeh whattayouthiknk not enough gas in intake

[@tj1229]

so in order to do this proceess correctly u have to starve your vehicle of all the fuel????? and will this process work on an 04 2.0 turbo wrx moter? im oing to be doing my 1st 90k maintaince and im taking care of almost everything to kinda give my self a clean slate to start out at.

[@codyshields9751]

holy shit those hoses took me like 20 mins to get off… advice for anyone reading this in the same situation just be patient and definitely pull the pump fuse to release pressure because i just got a nice gassy shower 😅

[@crosschofas]

10k miles later my fuel filter is leaking from underneath the cap like top, could it just be a bad filter? and i heard if you open the gas cap it'll help relieve some pressure? I tuned my car so don't know if it makes a difference in certain type of filter?

[@mattz164]

This video that shows a potentially hazardous way of replacing the fuel filter. Subaru fuel systems are unlike others in that they are pressurized. Because of this, the fuel system should be depressurized prior to disconnecting the filter.

[@samurphy]

If you pull the fuse to the fuel pump, start the car, and let it run until it stalls, you've depressurized the fuel system. To repressurize, reinstall the pump, turn the key to ignition for a few seconds, then start the car.

[@elizalde23ge]

Huge fan of your work, any possible way to do a video on changing the fuel injectors on a subaru impreza 2.5i