Relieving fuel pressure

[Peter Schulz]

Bob:

I know you only asked about relieving fuel pressure, but having recently 
done this I quickly found out how complicated this supposedly simple 
maintenance can become on a near 14 year old car.

    * Try to do this while the engine is relatively cool.
    * Let car idle, remove fuse for the fuel pump, let the engine die, then 
try to start it a few more times for good measure.
    * This will still not run the filter dry, so put a bunch of rags under 
and around the filter. (and if working on asphalt, something to protect it 
as gasoline will damage it).
    * Have a container ready for the fuel remaining in the filter and try 
to hold it horizontally when you take it out of the engine compartment.
    * Make sure that you either have replacement crush washers ready.
    * Also, be prepared for the potential failure of the flex fuel lines at 
the crimps...be very careful when you handle the ends.
For me, everything went well with the removal and installation of the new 
filter, but then when I reinstalled the fuel pump fuse and started the car, 
fuel dripped from the flex line to hard line crimp.

Based on personal experience, I recommend having about 12 inches of  3/8 or 
5/16 inch high pressure fuel injection grade fuel hose and fuel injection 
hose clamps ready just in case....For me, everything went well with the 
removal and installation of the new filter, but then when I reinstalled the 
fuel pump fuse and started the car, fuel dripped from the flex line to hard 
line crimp.

I had to hacksaw the flex line off, ensuring that the flares remained on 
both hard fuel lines, then install the fuel hose.  You should also put some 
sort of heat reflecting material on the line because of its proximity to 
the exhaust manifold and turbo.

A better, safer long term solution is to replace the broken section with 
Aeroquip or Earl's fuel hose.

HTH

-Peter


At 09:02 AM 7/26/2004, Rbade12 at aol.com wrote:
>Hi,
>  Is there a simple way to relieve fuel pressure proir to changing the  fuel
>filter on my 200q20v?
>
>Thanks, Bob

-Peter

1991 200 20v Q Avant Titan Grey
1991 200 20v Q Avant Indigo Mica
1990 CQ silver (awaiting S2 transplant)
1985 4000s Q....black and peeling CC