How to Change the Fuel Filter on a Hyundai Tucson
by Eric W. Thompson
Your Hyundai Tucson's fuel filter is located inside the gas tank along with the fuel pump. It performs a very important function by filtering rust and dirt from your vehicle's fuel. Unfiltered fuel often contains contaminants like paint chips, which can build up and damage your vehicle's fuel pump and fuel injectors through repeated scraping and grating. If your vehicle shows signs of sputtering and stalling, you can be sure that your fuel filter needs replacing. If the fuel filter replacement does not significantly change the stalling problem, then you will most likely need to replace the fuel pump as well. Your fuel filter can be accessed through a door behind the back seat. As such, you can easily change the fuel filter yourself, which will save you the money you would normally spend on a mechanic.
Step 1
Locate the fuse panel under the hood of your vehicle, then open it and remove the fuel pump fuse with your hands.
Step 2
Start your car and allow the fuel system to depressurize by allowing the car to idle until the engine dies.
Step 3
Reinstall the fuse, then disconnect the battery with a ratchet and socket. Drain the gas from the gas tank with a siphoning kit.
Step 4
Remove the back seat by unbolting the base with a ratchet and socket and lifting the seat out with your hands. The bolts are located on either side of the seat near the base. You will also need the assistance of another person to lift the seat out safely.
Step 5
Remove the wiring harness by gently pulling it from the connector, and detach the rubber grommet with a flat head screwdriver. Unbolt the fuel tank cover with a ratchet and socket, remove it with your hands, pull the wires through the grommet, detach the fuel line hoses with a fuel-line disconnect tool, and lift the hoses out. Cap the hoses with rubber hose plugs.
Step 6
Reach directly into the gas tank, then remove the fuel filter using two adjustable wrenches, placing one on either side of the fuel filter. You will recognize the fuel filter by its filtering paper cartridges.
Step 7
Install the new filter, then follow the previous steps in reverse to complete the installation. Refill your gas take when finished.
References
- 2006 Hyundai Tucson Service Repair Shop Manual Set 06 (2 volume set); Hyundai Corporation; 2006
Things You'll Need
- Fuel-line disconnect tool
- Rag
- New gasket
- New fuel pump
- Flat head screwdriver
- Ratchet and socket
- The assistance of a friend (only when you are ready to remove the back seat)
- Rubber hose plugs
- Two adjustable wrenches
Writer Bio
Eric W. Thompson began his writing career in 1996 and is now a member of the All-USA Academic Team, having been featured in "USA Today" as one of the top 20 community college students in the country. He is currently taking a break from earning an undergraduate degree in contemplative psychology at Naropa University.
