How to Change the Fuel Filter on a Kia Sephia 1.8

by Grace Mclain

Mark Renders/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The fuel system on the Kia Sephia vehicles comes with a fuel filter that is connected to the fuel lines. As the gas leaves the gas tank and enters into the fuel lines, the gas will travel straight to the fuel filter. This is where the fuel cleansing process takes place. The inner filter inside of the fuel filter acts as a strainer and catches and holds any sediments from the gas. The clean gas will then travel into the outlet fuel line and flow straight to the fuel injectors. Replace the fuel filter between 50,000 and 75,000 miles.

Step 1

Park the Kia Sephia on a level surface and in a safe work area. Allow the engine to cool off for about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Walk back to the rear of the Kia Sephia and remove the gas cap.

Step 3

Jack the back end of the Sephia up and position the jack stands underneath the designated jacking points on both sides of the car. Generally, the rear jacking points will be in front of the rear wheels. Lower the car onto the stands and leave the jack up.

Step 4

Crawl under the rear passenger side of the Sephia and locate the fuel filter. The fuel filter is located directly in front of the passenger-side rear wheel. The filter will be inside of a bracket that is connected to the frame of the car. Fuel filters in 2000 and later models of the Sephia will have three fuel lines; earlier models will have only two fuel lines.

Step 5

Position the drip pan under the fuel filter. Using a clean rag, squeeze the end of the fuel lines and pull out on the fuel lines at the same time. The fuel lines are connected to the fuel filter by a small plastic clip and when you compress the plastic clip, it unlocks from the fuel filter ports.

Step 6

Push the old fuel filter out of the bracket. If the old fuel filter is too tight to push out, use an open-end wrench to remove the bracket bolt. Then, push the old fuel filter out of the bracket and discard the filter into the drip pan.

Step 7

Push the new fuel filter into the bracket with the arrow that is stamped on the side of the fuel filter pointing towards the front of the car.

Step 8

Push the fuel lines straight onto the ports of the fuel filter. Then, carefully pull out on the lines just to make sure that they are secure.

Step 9

Slide the drip pan out from under the car and put the gas cap back on. Get in the car and turn the key on and off two or three times to fill the new filter with gas and remove air from the fuel system. Then, crank the engine. Look over the new fuel filter for leaks and then turn the engine off.