I got the multiple cylinder misfire codes on my '04 XJR again. I decided to change the fuel filter since I'm pretty sure it was original. It was pretty simple. I put the car up on ramps and removed the plastic tray from the driver's side.


The fuel filter was right there under the driver's feet, held in with a bracket.




The fittings seemed to be 20mm and 16mm, so I used a monkey wrench. There was some residual fuel pressure in the line. Next time I do this I'll wrap a rag around the fitting before I take it loose. It was only a few ounces of gas, but I still got sprayed in the face with it.



I got this filter at Autozone. I had taken it out of the package and had it sitting next to me when I got the gasoline bath. When I picked it up to install it I found the gas had washed all the lettering off the filter, including the arrow that shows you which way the fuel should flow. I compared it to the old filter to figure it out. Once it was back together the engine cranked for about 5 or 6 seconds then ran fine. I guess time will tell if it solved my problem.

 

Lucky you.

You should see where the filter is on the previous years!

 

gmcgann
looks pretty straight forward. What kind of fittings on the filter? looks like threaded. Filter in stock at Autozone? Good photos.
RyeJag

 

The fitting on the fuel line looks like 16mm. naturally, I couldn't find my 16mm line wrench and the 15mm was too small, the 17mm too big. The fitting on the filter seemed to be 20mm - again, the 19mm too small and the 21mm too big. I used a monkey wrench.

 

Good pictures Thanks for the report.

 

I have an XJ and while it is a different model, hopefully the filter change will be as straight forward as your XJR.
Good photos and info. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the write-up. How often should I change this?

 

No mention of the O ring seals?

 

You're right, I probably should have changed the O-rings, but they seemed fine. If I had had some I would have changed them, and I'll definitely change them with the next filter.

 

I would probably have done the same myself.

BTW thanks for the pics.

 

Man, it your lucky.. I changed the fuel filter on my 2004 VDP this weekend and my guess it was orignal. 120k miles.. So what I am getting at, the filter was soooo clogged when I loosened the nuts and wiggled the line free I got sprayed in the face with rusty gas.. the line had a ton of back pressure... the gas looked brown coming out of it... its a wonder it didnt clog an injector..

Edit: i just read you got sprayed also lol

 

Does anyone know how often this filter should be changed?

 

gmcmann:

Great photos and write up. I will check but suspect I do not own a 16 or 20mm wrench. I do plan to change my filter when I change the oil in a few weeks, no duplication on removing the cover. Curious if there may be a pressure release for the fuel pressure rail, perhaps in the engine compartment? 73K miles on my XJR and believe its the original filter.

RyeJag

 

Owners manual suggests replacing the fuel filter each 60K miles.

 

Yes there is. There is a Schrader valve on one of the fuel rails near front of the engine.
You have given me an idea to rig up a little connection to this with a length of pipe to depressurise the fuel line. Will need a female Schrader also like an old air line fitting.

This should avoid fuel in the face!

Next idea-fit this rig if you are worried about having the Jag stolen (some have been) and fuel line will not pressurise.

Still have a few synapses working!

 

Any ideas on this security feature?

 

I just came in from trying to pull the right saddle tank off of my wives '73 XJ12 when I saw this thread. Defiantly my next project.

 

This is definitely a good write-up. Will be doing this job probably next weekend on my XJR. One thing I noticed over the years is that this type of filter does not come with o-rings. I have always re-used the existing o-rings in my truck / suburban etc. but I always felt that I was cutting corners. I just did not want to match up some random o-ring that may or may not be suitable for gasoline exposure and thus far, re-using the o-rings, did not cause any problem.

Does anyone know a source of the fuel filter o-rings, may be the size and the type that should be used on this filter?

Thanx.

 

Take your old filter and try to blow through it. It's a quick and easy way to check how plugged your filter is. You can blow through the new one to see how easy it is to blow through a clean filter, then blow through you old one. If its really plugged you will barely be able to blow through.

 

I attempted to do this today. Two of the fasteners were rusted and stripped. I couldn't get the plastic cover off. I'll have to work on this another time.