White clip to undo fuel line from filter.



Fuel Filter Change - 2004 XK8

After scouring the forum for help on changing the fuel filter, I still could not figure out how to undo the fuel line connections. I did not want to damage something pulling and prodding with screw drivers and pliers and even with wiping the connection down the white clip referred to by some was not visible. After getting the car up on stands and removing the wheel I was able to see the filter. I bent the aluminum heat shield to reveal the one10 mm. nut holding the bracket. With three 12” extensions and a universal jointon the ratchet I was able to over the axle and suspension and undo the nutholding the filter bracket.

Although the filter was now loose I could not see the missing white tab folks talk about. I wrapped the end of a hack saw blade with duct tape to make a handle and then carefully cut through the fuel filter on top just below the connection. Be careful of the brake lines which are also nearby.It was quite east to cut the metal and very little fuel was released. One I had the connection free it was easy to pull out the top fuel line and find the little white tab and push it in with needle nose pliers. Once the top was loose it was easy to go under the car, pull the filter down and release the bottom connection. After that simply undo the screw on the bracket holding the filter,slide in the new filter, fasten the bracket and filter back in place and snap on the connectors. It only took about an hour to figure out how to do a 5 minute job.

 

Join the club, I had the same issue a month or so ago. My fingertips are simply far too big to be able to get down into that little white semicircular tab and push it to release it. After fiddling with it for 20 minutes or so and swearing at it with every curseword in the book, I finally crawled out from underneath the car, grabbed a miniature flat-head screwdriver, crawled back underneath, and used the screwdriver to release both tabs in about five seconds. Lesson learned for the next time I change the fuel filter....

 

Thanks! Just got around to doing this today and that photo of the white tab made it infinitely easier. For the first time on this car a quick release fitting actually worked and released quickly! The bottom white tab was easier to see and press so i did that one first then removed the mounting bolt and once the filter was free the top came off easily. I used WIX 33078, it is the identical filter and only 10.00 at rockauto. Judging by the black mess of the old filter I should have done this earlier but kept putting it off thinking it would be a huge hassle.

 

Thanks Guys! I was about to tackle mine. I thought I needed a quick disconnect tool & wondered how I would get it in there with so little space around the filter, in an area that looks so hard to reach. I already ordered a set of disconnect tools online, along with an official $70 Jaguar filter C2S20977. Regardless, I'm delighted to see before trying that I am to push on each white tab, that is so clearly identified in your picture.