Changing Fuel Filter on a 2000 Subaru Outback

[Brucey]

Tools required:

1)Fuse puller (anything will do really)
2)Phillips screwdriver


This is an easy one. The book recommends every 15k miles, but I've gone 5 times longer than that without a problem. However, it's 20 bucks and super easy. I just did mine at a rest stop while wearing nice clothes to give you an idea of just how easy.

Step 1: Pop the hood. Pull out the fuse panel and locate the fuse for the fuel pump. Unplug it.

[Brucey]

Step 2: Start the car with the fuel pump fuse out. It should stall out in a few moments of idling. Disconnect the battery (probably not necessary, but better safe than sorry). Note: This step is not necessary if you don't mind potentially being sprayed in the face with gasoline. So just do it.

Step 3: Locate the fuel filter, it's right behind the washer fluid reservoir on my model. Unscrew the clamps (phillips screw) and slide them back, pull the hoses off the filter. Un-clamp the filter (It has a metal hinge clamp holding it in place) and put the new one in. Put it all back together. Tighten the hoses back down with the screwdriver.

[Brucey]

You're done!

This is a seriously seriously easy job. I got the filter for 20$ and the old one seemed to be fine, but for such an easy job I don't see why you wouldn't replace it at some point.

[dprice]

step two might be a bit difficult if you disconnect the battery in step one

[Brucey]

Oooops.

Was it obvious I didn't unplug the battery? Thanks for seeing that.

[SubiNubi]

I did this the other day on my '01, and the line going "in" on the filter took me 20min and a whole tub of elbow grease to remove (yes, I did loosen and slide the clamp). Any suggestions on how to loosen it up beyond the "yank, pray, twist, pray, curse, repeat" method?

[ETC]

I didn't pray much when I did mine but, I did twist a curse quite a bit. Amazing how much abuse those hoses can take without tearing.

After a couple minutes of $%(* the line, I stuck a very small phillips screwdriver in between and used some penetrating lube in the gap it provided ... slid right off after that.

[TahoeOutback]

I find that you need to "break the seal" between the hose and the nipple before pulling twisting and yanking (cursing swearing and praying are optional). I used a pair of slip joint plyers and grab the fuel line right where the clamp was, and give the hose a twist. Do not grab the hose too tight. YOu will feel a noticable disengament. Once done the hose comes off pretty easily.

[Brucey]

I had to yank on mine like a mother to get it off there. But it eventually came off. If there was an easier way to do it, it would be helpful.

[TahoeOutback]

Like I wrote, don't jsut yank and twist. Break the seal first.