**This is just a rant**

*Steps up on soap box*

GM has got to have THE WORST ideas for fuel filter connections. The threaded end ALWAYS gets welded on by rust and now on the cavalier the stupid "quick disconnect" doesn't disconnect at all! I hate hate hate it!!! I ended up having to cut the plastic line, work a 3/8" fuel line into the plastic tube, clamp it with another "compression" tube as I call it, then run a 1' section of 3/8" fuel line to the new filter. Get a clue GM....do it like Ford!!

*Steps down from soap box*

**Rant over**

This is why I like the 00+ ones better

John Lenko wrote:This is why I like the 00+ ones better

My car is an 02' and it has a quick-disconnect

I have replaced around 40 fuel filters and never had an issue.

For one, quick disconnect, you need the special tool to do it, screwdrivers dont work. The other part of the line, ever hear of PB blaster, helps out a ton. WD40 is junk, it is water depressant, not a rust loosener. Bet you anything you didnt use a line wrench, also does wonders.

So with the right tools, right spray, the job is easy.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

In my 98 had to change fuel filter and the plastic quick disconnect fell apart too. It sucks

i just had to change my filter out today on my 00. it was a total pain in the ass, but with a buddy helping somehow we got that bitch off with screw drivers.

I've got the same problem with my 97...gm says I have to replace my fuel pump because the line going to the filter is permanantly attached to the pump...screw that. The plastic disconnect tabs are gone (it doesn't seem rusted) and every dumb !@# on the planet keeps telling me that it's a different kind of connector than whats on the car. I know what kind of connector it is, don't tell me any different !@#$! Either way, I still havn't been able to remove it yet. I just need to get in there and sqeeze whats left of the plastic clips together and yank it out, I just haven really found a way to do that yet. The guys at autozone (I hate them) keep saying it's one of those fittings you have to use a tool on and spread the clips out, although I know it's supposed to be the kind that you squeeze the clips on the filter together (not apart in the coupling), I even read the manual for christs sake. I hate stupid people. I just got so fed up that I havent messed with it in awhile.

Thread sealer on threads = no sticking or corrosion. What will they think of next? Especially helpful on small lines that are likely to break (fuel, brakes) or on dissimilar metals (steel in aluminum). BTW, do not confuse with Loc-Tite

Also yes, PB Blaster > WD40. WD40 has its place, but PB blaster penetrates better than anything else I've found, and it doesn't evaporate until it hits smoking point. It's an absolute godsend for things like exhaust manifold bolts/studs that you don't want to break

pb blaster is f&ckin awesome!.. i hydrolocked up my 90 bronco .. i-6.. i pulled the spark plugs.. douched the cylinders with pb blaster.. waited 5 min.. turned the crank loose with a wrench!! live by that shiv. bronco still purrs like a kitten.

"Z24 Dustbunny"

Weebel wrote:I've got the same problem with my 97...gm says I have to replace my fuel pump because the line going to the filter is permanantly attached to the pump...screw that. The plastic disconnect tabs are gone (it doesn't seem rusted) and every dumb !@# on the planet keeps telling me that it's a different kind of connector than whats on the car. I know what kind of connector it is, don't tell me any different !@#$! Either way, I still havn't been able to remove it yet. I just need to get in there and sqeeze whats left of the plastic clips together and yank it out, I just haven really found a way to do that yet. The guys at autozone (I hate them) keep saying it's one of those fittings you have to use a tool on and spread the clips out, although I know it's supposed to be the kind that you squeeze the clips on the filter together (not apart in the coupling), I even read the manual for christs sake. I hate stupid people. I just got so fed up that I havent messed with it in awhile.

Hey Weebel,

Send me, or post a pic of your setup if you can. I change about 20-40 filters a month on all makes and models at my work, so I've pretty much ran into every problem there is, and subsequently, had to come up with solutions for all of them.

Hopefully I can help,

Chad

Thats why i yanked out all that GM junk and ran SS braided lines coming from my fuel filter.. I used to hate dealing with those stupid connections.











~2014 New Z under the knife, same heart different body~
______________________
WHITECAVY no more
2012 numbers - 4SPD AUTOMATIC!!
328 HP
306 TQ

Rob S wrote:I have replaced around 40 fuel filters and never had an issue.

For one, quick disconnect, you need the special tool to do it, screwdrivers dont work. The other part of the line, ever hear of PB blaster, helps out a ton. WD40 is junk, it is water depressant, not a rust loosener. Bet you anything you didnt use a line wrench, also does wonders.

So with the right tools, right spray, the job is easy.

X2



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

I have a 99 sunfire. I can't get the stupid fuel filter off of. Part of the tabs are gone from the quick connect. Is there still hope to get the filter off? Does it take a special tool?

As said above, use some PB Blaster and let it get a few good soaks into the threaded connector. It should come right off if you use the correct-sized wrenches. As for the quick disconnect, I'd suggest you do what I did. CUT IT OFF!!!!! Mine was garbage and completely fell apart when I tried to take it off. I picked up a new quick disconnect on EBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-Cavalier-Sunfire-Grand-AM-Fuel-Filter-line-Repair_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42604QQihZ017QQitemZ270087968928QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

It took all of 90 seconds to install at that point. I took a box cutter to the fuel line, placed on the new quick disconnect section, tightened the hose clamps and connect the fuel filter. There is no need to fool with whatever's on the car.

The PB Blaster is the ticket. If its really rusty you might have to wrap some strips of cloth around the threads & just keep it soaked. It'll come off. I had the same problem with the so-called quick disconnect.

I finally had the whole assembly changed with a new fuel pump when it went out at 193K & yes the original fuel filter was still on it.

I had the guy put a new one on when he replaced the fuel pump assembly.

Never have had a problem with mine. Then again, I change it every 10,000 miles.

hell, if your having a problem with it, just cut it off with a hack saw and then replace it with a rubber tube and some screw clamps, easiest solution i have come up with at this point.

It's not quick disconnect, it's quick connect. If you can get the SOB off of there, (they make cheap tools that do the trick) without breaking anything, the new one will clip on very quickly!






Sask GM Performance (formerly SaskJbody) president

Do you guys relieve the fuel pressure before you change out the filter, or do you just take it off?

Just take it off. Be prepared for the gas that will come out. Should be easy enough to catch.






Sask GM Performance (formerly SaskJbody) president

The rust issue sucks, PB blaster and vice grips, they are a pain. Take the anti-seize suggestion, saves a headache later.