Can someone guide me with the removal of the fuel filter for a 1991 civic lx?.
What type of wrench works on the best on that banjo bolt that is on the same side as the service bolt?

It seems like a normal metric wrench does not fit too well on the SPECIAL banjo bolt. I just don't want to strip it.

 

Hey tomp,

The guide that I found doesn't mention anything about a specialized wrench required for the loosening of the banjo bolt, so I assume that a standard wrench should suffice.

Here is the walk-through on replacing the fuel filter on a '91 Civic LX:

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2) Use fuel line clamps or equivalent locking pliers to pinch the fuel lines closed.

3) Wrap a shop towel around the fittings. Bleed off the fuel system pressure by slowly loosening the service bolt at the top of the fuel outlet fitting, while holding the special banjo bolt with another wrench.

4) Support the fuel filter with a wrench, then remove the banjo bolts or the fuel inlet pipe (as applicable) from the filter.

5) Loosen the fuel filter clamp and remove the filter from the vehicle.

Warning: It is very important that ALL of the fuel line banjo bolt washers be replaced every time the banjo bolts are loosened. If the washers are not replaced, the fuel lines may leak pressurized fuel causing the risk of fire or explosion.

6) Install the new filter in position and tighten the clamp mounting bolt to 7 ft. lbs. (10 Nm).

7) Attach the banjo fittings using new washers, and tighten the banjo bolts or fuel inlet pipe (as applicable) to the proper torque specification. Tighten the banjo bolt attaching the fuel outlet hose (the one with the service bolt on top) to 16 ft. lbs. (22 Nm); tighten the banjo bolt to the fuel feed hose to 26 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).

8) Start the vehicle and check immediately for leaks.


The filter is ref #5 in this diagram:


*diagram courtesy of hondapartsnow.com; all rights reserved

 

I think you need to use an open end wrench on the flat sides of part #25, don't disturb parts 26 and 30, they come out as a unit with 25. Before beginning also open the gas filler cap to be sure there is no pressure in the tank that would push fuel out once the lines are disconnected.

 

In all the photos, and even in the Haynes, they show that SPECIAL BANJO BOLT, but not with a fixed nut attached to it, like mine has.
I am having a real hard time keeping the filter to not move while i attempt to remove it.
Can i loosen this SPECIAL BANJO BOLT by putting a wrench or socket on the fixed nut ?
Or do i have to loosen it by putting the wrench /socket directly on this SPECIAL BANJO BOLT?.
I went to Home Depot, bought an adjustable open face wrench, but even though i can get it on the SPECIAL BANJO BOLT, i can not turn it .
This sucks!. Someone help!!.

 

This shouldn't be a freaking 2 man job, or is it?. Do i need someone to wedge the filter so it won't budge?. I cannot believe honda could not just use the exact 2 types of bolts on either side.
And the Haynes does not really show the exact set up that this car has, via their drawing.
The special banjo bolt has a nut fixed to it, in the Haynes it looks like their is only a service bolt, a washer, and the SPECIAL banjo bolt. No mention in the drawing of that fixed nut. So can the line be removed by either somehow getting the fixed nut or the special banjo bolt to turn? .


Are the threads on these 2 fitting left handed by any chance? .. I don't know why these are being so difficult to remove.
Maybe if i can find a 2 or 3 feet metal bar to use for leverage , to help turn the wrench, but for Christ's sake , these are fuel fittings, they shouldn't be all rusted up, even if this is the original fuel filter on the car.

I am trying to make a breaker bar fit in the middle of the 2 fittings as a wedge, as i try to remove 1 or the other, but still no luck.
17 mm fits on the fixed nut on top of the special banjo bolt, so shouldn't this turn?, or do i need to get the fitting out getting the wrench on the banjo bolt itself, and not the fixed nut attached to it?. It seems like the fixed nut, is just that, and if i could ever get that to turn, the special banjo bolt would HAVE to turn also. Am i correct to assume that?.

 

The bolts are as a rule tight. I believe they are 17MM. I believe there is a nut on the filter itself then a washer, fitting, washer, & bolt. I hold that nut on the filter with an open end & use a box end on the bolt & set them so I'm pulling the wrenches together. Once it is loose all is good. Don't forget to replace ALL the washers with new ones. The good filters come with them. I use WIX filters on my 90 Civic.

 

I think you making it harder then it seems, basically only 2 bolts, and use an open end wrench to hold on the bolt shape that is built onto the filter and turn the bolts on top to remove.

 

The passenger side bolt is just that 1 bolt. I am having a hard time with that one also, but i just have to keep trying to remove it.
My main question /problem is concerning the drivers side bolt.
There is a small nut, which for some reason was quite easy to remove, a washer, then, i have the fixed nut(which the Haynes manual make no mention of, or has in their diagram), which is attached to that special banjo bolt(which is odd shaped enough where a normal socket will not fit on it.
Now, to remove , do i put a wrench on the fixed nut, and 1 also on the special banjo bolt, and do the scissors action with both?.
Again, why does this have to be so effin difficult???.

 

Turn the bolts on top to remove??? I guess i am making it harder than it seems, because now i am really lost .

2 sides, let me just focus on the driver side for now.


From the top, and going buy the Haynes, chapter 1-32 illustration 40.13, so we are all on the same page here.

There is a service bolt, 12 mm, easily removable, and is threaded into a FIXED nut, which a 17 mm socket or open ended wrench easily fits on.
The Haynes shows nothing like this in it's picture.
It does show the Special Banjo Bolt, which only can be grabbed with an adjustable box wrench, because of its unique shape. It makes one believe the 12 mm service screws directly into the special banjo bolt, but the 12 mm actually screws into the 17 mm fixed nut ATTACHED to the special banjo bolt.

OK, now to remove this side i absolutely need to use 2 wrenches correct?.
Do i put a socket on the 12 mm service bolt, the 17 mm fixed nut ATTACHED to the special banjo bolt, or that banjo bolt itself?. Are these bolts on that tight where i am going to need a breaker bar attached to the socket/open end wrench?.
I asked if these are normal threads(not lefthanded).

 

so the fixed nut gets a wrench, and the special banjo bolt gets an open end wrench on it, at the same time?. I am going to turn BOTH of them counter clockwise?
does it matter if the 12 mm bolt is on or off?