How to Replace the Fuel Filter in a 2005 Buick LeSabre

by Dan Ferrell

The fuel filter in your 2005 Buick LeSabre helps the fuel system work flawlessly by trapping contaminants before they reach and obstruct fuel injectors. However, these small particles eventually clog the filter itself, considerably restricting fuel flow. When you least expect it, the engine in your LeSabre begins to falter until it dies from lack of fuel. Before it leaves you stranded, replace the old filter in your Buick now and make sure the engine keeps running smoothly on the road everyday.

Removing the Old Fuel Filter

Step 1

Park your LeSabre on level ground, lift the hood open and disconnect the ground (black) battery cable with a wrench.

Step 2

Locate the fuel pressure test port on the fuel rail that feeds fuel to the injectors around the top of the engine. The test port is a small valve similar to the air valve on your LeSabre tires.

Step 3

Wrap a shop rag around the test port and push the small valve stem with a small flat-head screwdriver. Use the shop rag to absorb the squirt of fuel as you depress the valve and remove the rag.

Step 4

Loosen the fuel filler cap to relieve the fuel pressure inside the tank as well.

Step 5

Lift the rear of your LeSabre with a floor jack, support it on two jack stands and block the front wheels with two chocks. Locate the fuel filter by following the fuel lines coming out of the fuel tank. You will see the filter mounted on the rail on the passenger's side.

Step 6

Wrap a shop rag around the fitting of the fuel line connected to the side of the filter pointing to the front of your vehicle and disconnect the inlet fuel line. Press the two small tabs on the line fitting and pull the line off the filter nipple. Use the shop rag to absorb the residual fuel in the line.

Step 7

Disconnect the outlet fuel line from the side of the filter pointing to the rear of the vehicle. Hold the nut molded at the end of the filter with a backup wrench and unfasten the line retaining nut with a flare wrench. Absorb any residual fuel in the line with the shop rag.

Step 8

Loosen the bolt on the filter mounting bracket with a ratchet and socket and remove the filter from the vehicle.

Install the New Fuel Filter

Step 1

Position the new filter in the bracket with the arrow on the filter pointing toward the front of the vehicle and tighten the bracket bolt with the ratchet and socket.

Step 2

Coat a new O-ring with clean engine oil and install it on the fitting of the outlet fuel line. Connect the outlet fuel line to the filter fitting finger tight and tighten the nut by holding the nut molded at the end of the filter with a backup wrench. Tighten the line retaining nut with the flare wrench.

Step 3

Connect the inlet fuel line to the filter by pushing the line fitting against the filter nipple. You should hear a clicking sound as the fitting engages the locking tabs on the filter.