How to Change the Fuel Filter on Mitsubishi Cars

You know it is time to replace your car's fuel filter when you begin to experience these symptoms: engine hesitation, stalling, rough starts (or not starting) or a noticeable drop-off in performance or horsepower. You may experience some, or all, of these symptoms when your fuel filter gets clogged. Fuel filters get clogged from the deposits that are filtered out of fuel and rust from the moisture that has a tendency to accumulate in your fuel tank.

Under The Hood:

• How to Change the Fuel Filter on a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
• How to Change the Fuel Filter in an '03 Eclipse
• How to Replace a Fuel Filter in a Mitsubishi Eclipse
• How to Replace a Fuel Filter in a Mitsubishi Galant

 How to Change the Fuel Filter on a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant

Relieving Fuel Pressure

Remove the rear seat cushion by grabbing the looped hooks under the seat, on both ends of the seat, and pulling upward. Notice the unpainted panel under the seat. This is the fuel pump access cover.

Loosen and remove the four bolts holding the fuel pump access cover. Pull the access cover up, exposing the fuel pump.

Grab the wiring harness that plugs into the fuel pump. Press the locking button and pull up on the harness to unplug it.

Insert the key into the Galant's ignition and start the vehicle.

Let the vehicle run until it stalls. This eliminates all fuel pressure from the lines. Turn the key to the "Off" position.

Filter Removal and Installation

Open the Galant's hood and disconnect the negative battery cable, using the ratchet and socket.

Loosen and remove the bolt, known as a banjo bolt, holding the brake line to the top of the fuel filter. to do this, use the ratchet and socket to turn the bolt, and a line wrench to hold the nut on the fuel filter. The fuel filter is located at the rear passenger side of the engine compartment, bolted to the firewall.

Loosen and remove the main line into the bottom of the fuel filter, using two line wrenches. Use one wrench to turn the nut on the line, and the other to hold the connector on the fuel filter.

Remove the gaskets that came of of the top of the filter and discard them.

Loosen and remove the two bolts securing the fuel filter to the Galant's firewall and pull the filter from the vehicle.

Pull the filter from the metal bracket surrounding it, then insert the new filter into this bracket. Make sure the new filter is positioned the same way as the old one.

Place the new fuel filter on the firewall and hand-tighten its bolts.

Place the main fuel in the bottom of the fuel filter and tighten it using two line wrenches--one to tighten the fuel line and the other to hold the filter's connector.

Place the fuel line into the top of the filter, with new gaskets that are included with the fuel filter. Tighten the banjo bolt to 22 foot-pounds. Use a torque wrench and socket to tighten the bolt, and a line wrench to hold the fuel filter nut.

Tighten the mounting bolts holding the fuel filter to the firewall to 10 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench as a socket.

Reconnect the negative battery terminal, using a ratchet and socket.

Pressurizing the Fuel System

Plug the wiring harness into the top of the fuel pump, through the fuel pump access hole.

Place the access panel back over the fuel pump and tighten the bolts, using a ratchet and socket.

Reinstall the rear seat cushion by placing the rear of the cushion under the seat-back cushion, then pushing the front of the cushion down until it clicks into place.

Cycle the key from "Off" to "On" several times to pressurize the fuel system.

Start the vehicle.

 How to Change the Fuel Filter in an '03 Eclipse

Removal

Open the car doors, the hatch, and the garage door (if you are in one) to ventilate the area. Gas fumes can be toxic if not well ventilated. Do not smoke in or near your car as you perform this task.

Remove the rear seat by pulling the two tabs located in the middle section of the left and the right seat (not the middle of the back seat, the middle of each respective seat) and pulling the seat up.

Remove the metal plate (the lid plate) toward the center of the rear seat area. There will be four screws (one on each corner) and a wire running through the middle of the plate. Remove the screws and lift the plate off its base.

Unplug the two wiring harnesses that you'll find once you remove the plate in Step 3.

Remove the fuel line and the fuel return line (the only two hoses connected to the assembly). Be extremely cautious (and wear eye protection) as the fuel line is pressurized and is prone to spray if your car hasn't been sitting for 24 hours or more.

Mark a line on the black plastic ring directly across from the green circle with a white marking pen. This ensures that you can line up the ring in the same spot when you re-install it.

Remove the black ring encircling the assembly using a flat-head screwdriver and a rubber mallet. Put the screwdriver against the bottom of the black ring and start to tap with the mallet until you can remove it. Be gentle. You don't want to break this piece.

Pull the fuel pump assembly out of the gas tank by pulling straight up and then angling it to the right once you feel resistance. There is a bobber attached to the bottom that will snag when you pull it up. Simply angling the fuel pump will allow you to free it. Don't force it.

Place the fuel pump into a bucket so that you don't drip gasoline into the rear seat area.

Separate the fuel pump (black) and the fuel reservoir (white or tan) by pushing the three tabs and pulling them apart.

Remove the fuel filter from the fuel reservoir and insert the new one.

Installation

Connect the fuel pump and the fuel reservoir by lining the two up and pushing until the tabs lock.

Connect the electrical plugs in their respective places on the fuel pump and fuel reservoir. The plugs will only plug into the holes they are meant for, so don't force one if it doesn't seem to fit.

Insert the bobber into the fuel pump at an angle and then turn the fuel pump straight to drop it in the gas tank.

Put the black ring back over the assembly and use the rubber mallet and screwdriver to tap it into place. Line up the line you drew on the black ring with the marking pen (in step 6) and the green triangle on the outside of the ring.

Connect both fuel hoses.

Connect the electrical plugs.

Replace the lid plate and screw the four screws into place.

Replace the rear seat by setting it in place and pushing down until the tabs lock in place.

 How to Replace a Fuel Filter in a Mitsubishi Eclipse

Relieve the fuel system pressure by first turning the ignition off, and then loosening the fuel cap. Remove the rear seat cushion and the service cover. Disconnect the fuel pump harness connector.

Start the Eclipse and allow it to run until it stops. Turn the key off and crank the engine for 2 seconds or so. If the engine does not start, turn the ignition off. If the engine starts, continue starting it until it does not start anymore, and then turn the ignition switch off.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the battery and the air intake hose. Disconnect the fuel lines from the fuel filter. Remove the clamp and hose from the fuel pressure regulator.

Take off the fuel filter mounting bracket bolts and then the fuel filter. Unscrew the bracket screw and remove the fuel filter from the mounting bracket.

Place the new filter in the mounting bracket and attach it with the screw. Reinstall the fuel filter with the bracket mounting bolts. Reconnect the main fuel pipe to the fuel filter. Tighten the flare nut to 27 ft-lbs.

Reconnect the high-pressure fuel hose to the filter and tighten the bolt to 22 ft-lbs. Install the battery and the air intake hose. Connect the negative battery cable. Start the engine of your Mitsubishi Eclipse and check for leaks.

 How to Replace a Fuel Filter in a Mitsubishi Galant

Relieve the fuel tank pressure by loosening the fuel cap. Raise the vehicle. Find the fuel pump harness connector near the fuel tank and detach it. Start the engine and let it run until it stalls, then turn the key off.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and the air intake hose. Remove the battery. Disconnect the fuel lines from the fuel filter, remove the mounting bolts and take the fuel filter out.

Tighten the flare fitting by hand if your Galant is equipped with one. Put the new fuel filter into the bracket and put on new gaskets. Then, connect the high pressure hose, the eye bolt and the main pipe. Tighten the eye bolts to 22 ft-lbs. and the flare nut to 27 ft-lbs. Fully tighten the filter mounting bolts.

Reconnect the air intake hose, put the battery back in place and reattach the negative battery cable. Install the fuel cap. Turn the ignition on to restore pressure to the fuel system. Start the engine of your Mitsubishi Galant and check for leaks.