How to Change a 2002 Accord Fuel Filter

by Grace Mclain

The 2002 Honda Accord was the last model of Accord to come equipped with the canister-type fuel filter. The Honda Accord model cars built after 2002 come equipped with the fuel filter inside of the gas tank. When the gas circulates through the fuel filter, it traps the impurities before sending the clean gas to the fuel injectors. It is recommended that you replace the fuel filter every 30,000 to 40,000 miles.

Step 1

Park the 2002 Honda Accord in a well-ventilated area on a level surface.

Step 2

Unscrew the fuel cap from the filler neck on the fuel tank. Removing the cap from the fuel tank will relieve most of the gas pressure from the fuel filter and the fuel lines.

Step 3

Open the hood, and secure the hood in place with the lock rod attachment.

Step 4

Locate the black canister fuel filter. The fuel filter on the 2002 Honda Accord is located on the driver's side, rear of the engine, under the brake master cylinder. The fuel filter is a round, black canister with a fuel line coming out of the top and the bottom.

Step 5

Slide the drip pan under the vehicle in the general area of the fuel filter to catch any gas that spills from the fuel lines and filter.

Step 6

Loosen and remove the bottom fuel line from the fuel filter by holding the fuel filter with one hand and turning the bottom fuel filter nut counterclockwise with the 14 mm open-end wrench. Once the bottom fuel line is loose, unscrew the fuel line with your fingers. Position the bottom fuel line toward the drip pan to so gas can drain into it.

Step 7

Loosen and remove the top fuel line from the fuel filter by holding the fuel filter with one hand and turning the top banjo bolt head counterclockwise with the 17 mm open-end wrench. Once the banjo bolt head is loose, unscrew the bolt with your fingers. Pull the fuel line off the top of the fuel filter, and position the fuel line to drain into the drip pan.

Step 8

Remove the fuel filter from the fuel filter bracket by unscrewing the two 10 mm bolts from the fuel filter clamp with the 10 mm open-end wrench. Pull the fuel filter out of the clamp. Place the old fuel filter into the drip pan.

Step 9

Slide the new fuel filter into the clamp, and screw the bottom and top fuel lines back onto the fuel filter. Tighten both fuel lines with the open-end wrenches. Double-check the tightness of the fuel lines to prevent the fuel lines from sucking any air into the fuel system.

Step 10

Tighten the clamp back around the fuel filter with the 10 mm open -nd wrench. Screw the fuel cap back onto the fill neck of the fuel tank until the cap clicks.

Step 11

Turn the ignition to the accessory position for five seconds and then back off again. Turn the ignition on and off two more times for five seconds. This process fills the new fuel filter with gas and removes the air from the fuel system. Then crank the motor, and let it run while checking the new fuel filter for gas leaks. Turn the engine off, and close the hood.