1999 Ford Escort FUEL FILTER?

Tiny
NWALD
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 77,300 MILES
My engine chugs (kind of like what happens if you're in the wrong gear) and this has been happening the month. Had new spark plugs and it helped but the chugging (or maybe missing is a better word) is back since weather has gotten cold. Once the engine gets warm. It seems to disappear. Took it to Fas-Lube for new fuel filter. And they couldn't do it because of how difficult it is to get to. Wondering if you think it could be the fuel filter (before I spend the money to have a mechanic put in fuel filter!). Your thoughts?
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 4:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Is the check engine light on?
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
NWALD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, no engine light came on! I thought it was really odd that Fas-Lube said they couldn't get to the fuel filter. Your thoughts? Is it really THAT difficult?
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Not hard, but tedious. You have to work from under the hood and under the car. Your fuel filter is in the engine compartment between the fuel tank and the fuel rail.

1. Relieve fuel system pressure. You will have fuel gushing onto you while you are under the car, in you don't relieve the pressure.
2. To relieve pressure, locate fuel rail. Remove the valve cap at the end of the fuel rail and attach a fuel pressure gauge. Open the manual relief valve on the pressure gauge slowly.
3. Disconnect negative battery cable.
4. Place a suitable container under the fuel filter to collect excess fuel that WILL leak from the filer and lines.
5. From under the hood, remove retaining clip from the fuel filter upper hose. Disconnect fuel hose from fuel filter and drain excess fuel into the container. Plug the hose.
6. Jack up the car.
7. From under the car, remove retaining clip from the fuel filter lower hose. Disconnect fuel hose from fuel filter and drain excess fuel into the container.
8. Lower the car.
9. From under the hood, remove retaining clamp screw and remove filter. You may have to wiggle the clamp and screw if they are corroded.
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 7:54 PM

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