How to Replace the Fuel Filter in a 1998 Mazda Protege
by Lee SallingsThe job of protecting the fuel injectors in your 1998 Mazda Protege from sediment and other contaminates found in today's gasoline falls to the fuel filter. The large filter area and capacity of the high pressure filter found in the Protege ensures that the fuel is filtered effectively while maintaining the proper pressure and volume required to meet your engine's needs throughout the entire range of operation. Replacement of this filter as a part of preventive maintenance is well within the abilities of the home mechanic and in most cases can be accomplished in under an hour.
Step 1
Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Mazda. Use a floor jack to raise the front driver side of the car off the ground. Place jack stands under the frame near the front of the car, and lower the car onto the jack stands so that the weight of the car is supported by the stands and not the jack.
Step 2
Open the hood and locate the fuel filter. The fuel filter on the Mazda Protege is located on the firewall to the left and below the power brake booster. Using a 10-mm socket and socket wrench, loosen the upper (outlet) fuel line clamp. Place needle nose pliers between the filter and the fuel line, and pry the line off the filter. Loosen the fuel filter clamp on the fuel filter bracket and push the filter out of the bracket. From under the car, loosen the 10-mm hose clamp on the lower (inlet) fuel line and remove it from the filter using the needle nose pliers. Drain the fuel filter into the drain pan.
Step 3
Install lower line on new filter, and tighten the fuel-line clamp securely. Push the filter into the fuel-filter bracket from underneath, and tighten the bracket clamp. Install the upper fuel line onto the filter, and tighten the fuel line clamp securely.
Step 4
Prime the filter by turning the ignition key to the run position and then to the off position three times. Start the engine, and check for leaks. Raise the car off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the stands. Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack and wheel chocks. Test drive to verify the repair is complete.
Things You'll Need
- Needle nose pliers
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Socket set
- Drain pan
Warnings
- Wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent eye injury, and skin irritation from spilled fuel.
Writer Bio
Lee Sallings is a freelance writer from Fort Worth, Texas. Specializing in website content and design for the automobile enthusiast, he also has many years of experience in the auto repair industry. He has written Web content for eHow, and designed the DIY-Auto-Repair.com website. He began his writing career developing and teaching automotive technical training programs.
