Ever Changed a Fuel Filter on a Liberty?

[copenhagen6]

I will be attempting to change the fuel filter on my 02 3.7 liberty when the part comes in. Auto Zone says that it is a "dealer only" part, not servicable. I checked with the stealership and they want $101.00 for the filter alone, not counting labor. I have a friend who owns a parts store and he can get me one at his cost.

Any way, has anyone out there changed the filter, or can someone point me to some directions. I know how to do an in-line filter swap, but this one seems to set on top of the fuel tank. (drop tank I guess)

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Trodo]

There was a recent discussion about this, but the fuel filter is on the forward side of the tank, between the axle and the tank. Near the body, top of the tank.

 

[grogiefrog]

This is from the '03 Service Manual. Let us know how it goes!

Bennett, can you copy these to your server and store in the "How To"? I'm short on space.

EDIT: I added page 1355 (the first image) on how to release the fuel pressure.

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[copenhagen6]

Great!!!! those instruction have already made a difference. I did not know that there was an access area in the rear cargo floor.

 

[grogiefrog]

Great!!!! those instruction have already made a difference. I did not know that there was an access area in the rear cargo floor.

I know what you mean! I about want to look myself. The service manual is too cool. I am glad it helped you out.
(Cheers)

 

[copenhagen6]

I need to add that my friend got the part number through HASTINGS Filter's. So, before you go and buy it from the dealer, you can check with a HASTINGS Filter carrier and have them save you some bucks. My filter has not come in yet, but it is on the way.

If anyone needs a filter shipped to them, at a discount, I can get them in contact with my parts dealer and maybe he can drop ship one for a small fee.

 

[copenhagen6]

not that easy.

I changed the fuel filter in the 02 liberty last night. It took about 2 1/2 hours. I have changed fuel filters on all sorts of different vehicles before, this one is the hardest yet.

1) My access panel was located where the instructions stated that it would be, but it was covered in a Rhino lineing type of spray on coating. I had to take a puddy knife and a hammer to chisel it off before I could begin to use the heat gun to loosen the panel. (the heat gun will soften the rhino coating also, if you have the patience and time to wait.)

2) The nuts that hold the access panel are also covered in this Rhino lineing. I had to use a small screwdriver to chisel the lineing off of the nuts, then force a 3/8 socket onto them to get them loose. They came off without alot of effort, but they are very thin, so be careful.

3) Once you remove the panel, it really only gives you access to the two lines that connect to the top of the tank. There is a nut that holds the filter to the front of the tank that is next to impossible to access. At one point I had flashbacks of putting a clutch in my toyota pickup, no room for my hands.

3.5) YOU MUST RELIEVE THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE. I followed the instructions by removing the fuel pump relay and then trying to start the engine until it would no longer run. This did not relieve all of the pressure, so be sure that you have a towel or a few rags to soak up the fuel that will shoot out of the first line that you remove.

4) overall, I think that I will drop the tank "AND" remove the access panel the next time I have to work on this area. The access panel is a great idea, but it needs to be extended about 6 inchs to the front of the vehicle to make it truely effective.

5) I did this in a shop with a creeper, heat gun, drop light and all the tools that I could ever ask for. The first time that you do this job is somewhat trying at times, but now that I have done it, I would attempt it again. Hopefully with more time to spend. This jeep is our daily driver.

My Jeep has 100,000 miles on it and the fuel that ran out of the filter was full of dirt. I noticed a difference in how it ran this morning coming to work, alot better and smoother.

Sincerely typeing at work with dirt under my fingernails,

Copenhagen6

 

[copenhagen6]

Thanks

Thanks to grogiefrog for the helpfull instructions on this little chore.

 

[Bennett]

Bennett, can you copy these to your server and store in the "How To"? I'm short on space.

Done deal.
pictures are located in here http://www.jeepkj.com/forumpics/howto/fuelfilter/

 

[grogiefrog]

Re: Thanks

Thanks to grogiefrog for the helpfull instructions on this little chore.

Thanks for the awesome report! Sounded like fun, LOL!
rockon.gif

Also, could you go to this link and post your notes there as well? Thx.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2356

 

[Stinky_1]

sorry to dig up an old thread. But I just aquired a new (to me ) 02 liberty sport. My fuel sending unit is no good. I am getting gas gauge on empty and the gas light on all the time.

I was looking at the best option for getting to the sender. Having read the posts above I am wondering which would be the lesser of the two evils.

I have dropped gas tanks in the past, but certainly prefer to NOT be crawling around under a jacked up vehicle. So is it really that dificult to get it ALL done through the access hatch? I mean, I have rather large hands. is it possible to get it up through that hatch, or is it going to have to come out the bottom anyway.

If someone with experience can comment it would greatly help me.