Fuel filter and coolant flush

[Tim Reynolds]

43K miles on my 2001

Just installed a fresh fuel filter yesterday, was amazed at the amount of crap that came out of the intake side of the filter. Looked like coffee, will not wait that long again to replace filter. Thanks to Tabjo's project for the assistance, the hardest part was finding the correct filter. Make sure you measure the inlet/outlet diameter while hunting for the right one.



Coolant, per another post I used the dillution approach. I got 8 gallons of distilled water at super market and two gallons of Prestone. Drained bottom of radiator (two gallons came out) then put in two gallons of distilled water. Quick road trip with cabin heat turned on high to completely circulate. Repeated process for four times. After last drain put in two gallons of Prestone. With two gallons of distilled water in the system and the final two of Presone it should be the right mix.



Recommend on the last two roads trips, take out on the highway and open it up a bit. This gives it a good flushing. Water turned brownish which told me it was working.

 

[John Zuber]

Tim R,

Been wanting to change the fuel filter on my 92 Navajo for several years now and got about 130K miles--do you think I need to change it? Just kidding--last time I tried could not get the fuel line disconnect tool to work.



If I'm not mistaken, I think the coolant circulates through the heater core regardless of the control settings--I'm thinking of changing my 04 ST soon, but I will use the factory coolant.

 

[Tim Reynolds]

Hi john,

I found that if you slip the fuel line disconnect tool tool into place and then rotate or twist the connector comes right off. Trying to pull it straight out with the tool didn't work.

 

[Yardsale]

I have changes my fuel filter three times and only the original filter had a lot of garbage in it. I suggest following the recommended schedule.

 

[steve twyver]

Regarding removal of the fuel filter: I used a metal tool and would recommend metal over plastic since it takes a little bit of force to cause the quick disconnect to occur. I would further recommend taking a rat tail file to make the fitment exact using your the tubes from your new filter as a gauge.