Goodness, gracious, who would have thought it would be such a pain in the **** to change out a fuel filter. I've done several - one on a Ford Ranger - that took a whole 10 minutes. I spent the whole evening on my Honda Civic's fuel filter and I still don't have it done.

Does anyone know if the bottom fuel line (from fuel tank) needs a washer? I know the top line that feeds the fuel rail has 2 washers, but the new filter I bought came with a little washer for the bottom line. I went ahead and used it although I didn't notice an old one when I took off my old fuel filter.

Also I have been trying to tighten down the bottom line's hex nut with no sucess! I am still getting leakage and fear to try tightening anymore without a flare-nut wrench. The regular wrench has already rouded off one corner of the nut and I fear more damage.

How tight does that nut need to be anyways? I cant stop the leakage? I wonder if by using that washer on the incoming fuel line is causing the leakage? Any help would be appreciated!

 

The bottom line from the pump is a flare fitting. Don't use a washer there. It's a tapered metal on metal seal directly between the end of the line and the fitting on the filter. Always use a tubing wrench (flare nut wrench) on the nut.

Edit: It could also possibly be a beaded o-ring seal like an A/C line. Those use an o-ring not a copper washer. The nut doesn't need to be excessively tight.

 

Just don't end up stripping the nut like I did. I had mine cross threaded and it ruined both the new filter and the line.

 

So to review, basically there should be no washer on that bottom line.

Thanks for your input. When I get home I will take it back apart and try again without the washer. Of course, first things first - I am going to find me a flare nut wrench.

Thanks. I'll report back.