How to Install a Fuel Filter in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix

Park the car on firm, level ground. Turn the ignition key off and set the parking brake. Open the fuel filler door and loosen the gas cap. Place the fire extinguisher close at hand.

Don safety glasses. Open the hood and disconnect the battery's negative cable with a wrench.

Clean any dirt from around the oil tube and oil fill cap with a rag. Grasp the oil tube and oil fill cap, then twist counterclockwise to remove it. Lift the front of the fuel injector's sight shield (large plate covering the top of the engine) and then pull the rear tab out of the engine bracket. Replace the tube and fill cap.

Remove the cap on the fuel-pressure connection port located on the fuel rail. Wrap a shop rag around the port, then connect the fuel-pressure gauge to the port. The rag contains any fuel that may spray from the port while the gauge is being connected.

Insert the gauge's bleed hose into the fuel container, then slowly open the pressure valve on the gauge to release fuel pressure. Close the valve once the pressure is released and fuel stops draining into the container. Remove the gauge and the rag. Reinstall the connection port's cap.

Jack up the front of the car with the jack and support it with jack stands.

Crawl under the car. Locate the fuel filter mounted on the frame forward of the gas tank. The fuel filter is a small cylinder with a fuel line connected to each end.

Grasp the hose fitting on the inlet side of the filter and twist it 1/4 turn to loosen any dirt. Blow compressed air on the filter and the fittings to remove dirt.

Insert the quick-connect separator into the inlet-hose fitting and push inward to release the locking tabs. Pull the inlet-hose fitting off the filter. Remove the outlet fitting with a wrench.

Remove the bolt mounting the fuel filter's bracket to the frame. Remove the filter and bracket. Observe the orientation of the filter in the bracket, then slide the filter out of the bracket.

Insert the new filter into the bracket in the same orientation as the old filter. Mount the filter and bracket to the frame. Tighten the bolt to 15 pound-feet with a torque wrench.

Dab a drop of engine oil onto the ends of the filter's fittings. Press the inlet-hose fitting onto the filter until it snaps into place. Pull on the fitting as if to pull it off to be sure it is seated securely.

Install the threaded, outlet-fitting nut onto the filter. Use a back-up wrench on the filter fitting to prevent it from turning, then tighten the outlet-fitting nut to 22 pound-feet.

Remove the jack stands and lower the car. Tighten the gas cap. Reinstall the sight shield. Reinstall the battery's negative cable.

Turn the ignition key to the "On" position for two seconds. Turn the key to the "Off" position for 10 seconds. Turn the key to the "On" position and check for leaks.