How to Replace the Fuel Filter in a 2005 Hyundai Elantra

by Grace Mclain
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The fuel filter replacement process on the 2005 Hyundai Elantra requires a method that differs from the method used on most vehicles. First, the similarities, though. As with all cars, the fuel filter on the 2005 Hyundai Elantra cleans the fuel before it gets to the engine. The filter inside of the fuel filter housing traps the sediments inside of the filter. The clean fuel then leaves the fuel filter and goes into the engine. The fuel filter in the 2005 Hyundai Elantra is recommended to be replaced every 50,000 miles.

Step 1

Open the rear doors on the 2005 Hyundai Elantra and locate the two main connector bolts that hold each rear seat in place. The two bolts are located under the front part of each rear seat. Remove the four bolts with a 3/8 inch ratchet and a 12mm socket. Turn the bolts counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the bolts. Slide the rear seats out of the seat compartment. Then slide the rear seats out of the car.

Step 2

Locate the clip in the center of the floor under where the seat was sitting. This clip holds the fuel tank access lid panel in place. Pry this clip up with a flat head screwdriver. Pull the carpet away from the panel. Pull the fuel tank access lid panel off of the top of the fuel tank. Slide one end of the rubber part of the access lid up and then keep working your way around the rubber part of the access lid until you are able to pull the access lid off. Be careful because there is a wire connector underneath the access lid that is connected to the top of the gas tank.

Step 3

Unhook the wiring harness that is underneath the access lid from the connector on top of the gas tank. Set the access lid to the side.

Step 4

Unscrew the gas cap from the gas tank to relieve the pressure from the fuel lines and the fuel filter. This is called "depressurising" the fuel system. This can also be done by removing the battery cable, but it is faster and easier to relieve the pressure by unscrewing the gas cap from the gas tank and you get the same results.

Step 5

Remove the big fuel line from the top of the gas tank with pliers. Squeeze the tabs on the metal clamp inward and slide the metal clamp down the fuel line. Then slide the fuel line off of the plastic fuel line port. Lay the fuel line on a rag to catch any excess gas.

Step 6

Remove the small fuel line on top of the gas tank with the pliers also. Squeeze the tabs inward on the metal clamp and slide the clamp down the fuel line. Then slide the fuel line off of the plastic fuel line port. Also, lay the fuel line on a rag to catch any excess gas.

Step 7

Remove the eight bolts that are holding the top round portion of the fuel assembly lid. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, turn these small bolts counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the bolts from the lid. Once the small bolts are out of the lid, slide the lid off of the fuel assembly along with the lid gasket and set them both to the side with the bolts so they do not get lost.

Step 8

Lay clean rags all around the base of the fuel assembly. Pull straight up on the center of the fuel assembly. Once you get the fuel assembly 3 to 4 inches up, you will have to angle the fuel assembly to get it out of the hole. This is where the rags come in handy because gas will spill off of the fuel assembly when you angle it out. Finish angling the fuel assembly out of the top of the gas tank and lay it on the rags.

Step 9

Unhook the three clips that hold the top part of the fuel assembly to the bottom part. Then pull the top part of the fuel assembly away from the bottom part. Then unhook the main harness that holds the top and bottom parts together.

Step 10

Pry off the metal bracket that holds the filter unit in place with a flat head screwdriver. The metal bracket has a fuel line coming out of the end of it. Remove the fuel filter unit with the fuel line still attached to the metal bracket by pulling the unit straight out of the fuel assembly. Lay the filter unit and the fuel line to the side of the top part of the fuel assembly.

Step 11

Pull back on the two clips that are connecting the fuel filter to the top of the fuel assembly. Pull out on the fuel filter as you are pulling back on the two clips and the fuel filter will come out of the hole. Remove the two plastic washers, the two rubber o-rings and the cap from the old fuel filter because the new fuel filter does not come equipped with these must have items. Remember how these items come off of the old filter so you can properly transfer them to the new fuel filter.

Step 12

Transfer the two plastic washers, the two rubber o-rings and the plastic cap onto the new fuel filter assembly. Push the new filter into place inside of the fuel assembly. Push the metal bracket back in place over the top of the fuel filter.

Step 13

Hook the wiring harness inside of the fuel assembly back up and reattach the top and bottom portions together. The two pieces will snap together. Make sure that the fuel tube aligns up with the plastic cap before snapping the two pieces together.

Step 14

Slide the assembly back into the gas tank. Put the lid ring back around the top of the fuel assembly. Screw the eight bolts back in place and tighten them down with the phillips head screwdriver. Then slide the two two fuel lines back onto the two fuel line ports on top of the fuel assembly. Squeeze the clamps down and slide them back over the fuel line and the port. Release the clamp so that it can properly tighten the fuel line to the fuel port.

Step 15

Reconnect the main harness on the bottom of the fuel assembly access lid to the top of the fuel assembly unit on top of the gas tank. Then slide the rubber seal of the access lid back in place so that the access panel is completely sealed around the access hole. Lay the carpet back in place over the fuel assembly access lid.

Step 16

Slide the seats back in and reinsert the bolts and tighten them back down. Screw the gas cap back on the gas tank. Turn the ignition key on and off three different times to prime and fill the fuel assembly back up with gas. Then crank the engine. Job complete.

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