Nothing good, I'll tell you that.

I hadn't expected what I found being trapped by this filter during its replacement. TBH, I thought the $65 price for the new filter would not be worth it...boy was I wrong.

We'll be uploading a DIY instructional document on how to change this yourself soon, but in the meantime, consider budgeting for a new one, especially if you are not the original owner and do not know what kind of diet your car has been served.

Disconnecting the post-filter line, I received a small shower of clean fuel. When I pulled the pre-filter line...I was shocked at what I saw. A stream of black goo, with the consistency of warm maple syrup exited the filter. (this pic below is the MIX of the upstream AND downstream fuel that exited the lines and filter) What was actually IN the filter was much more concentrated and nasty.



After replacement, the car starts quicker, idles smoother upon startup, and I haven't noticed any knocking when calling for more throttle (and more fuel), and I am also hoping this will lessen the stress on the single fuel pump back there.

 

Oh my! Makes sense though...I look forward to the instructions as I'll be changing mine!

 

Dave, your 2002 filter replacement is like $8, so you won't even feel the pinch. (You need all your lunch money for those new badges) Yours is also easier to get to and remove than mu 2003. Document hopefully will be ready by this weekend.

 

Matt, that's disgusting! What's different for the filter on your 4.2L vs. older 4.0L? This looks like the one sitting on my shelf for my XJR, that I havne't put on yet. I don't have any evidence that the previous owners changed mine, so I'm sure mine looks about the same on the inside!

 

SWEEET! That might be the cheapest part on the whole car! LOL

 

You're such a tease! I want to do this, but I have to wait for the tutorial.

 

It makes you wonder why oh, why, don't they stick with transparent inline fuel filters?

You used to be able to see what condition they were in.

 

Midlife, take a peek at your fuel filter, it should be obvious what 'type' you have. Either the nut-fitting type, or the snap-on like mine. I bought a filter for the 4.0L (since 2003 did include a short run of these engines) and ended up with the wrong type. Found that out once I got underneath and was prepared to tear it out.

 

My old Mark 2 had a little glass bowl filter;very useful at seeing the condition of the petrol. I think the reason they disappeared is the line pressure for EFI is now much, much higher, so steel-bodied filters are used.

 

easy...transparent aluminum! Wait, that won't be invented for another few decades, unless Spock, Scotty and Kirk already came back from the future to help that one manufacturer so they could build a big aquarium in their 'borrowed' Klingon Bird of Prey.

 

Wow... That's gross. I've changed the fuelfilters on my mustangs before but it never looked that bad and those cars were from '94 and '96.

 

I have a 2001 convertible. Is the filter up near the engine or back by the tank. I've changed filters on many cars over the years, but some are less accessable than they should be. I assume it is much easier if the car is on a hoist.

 

I have the same question (but have a 2000 convertible XKR). Where is the fuel filter and how easy is it to replace?
I always thought fuel filters were meant to be (easily) checked/replaced so were usually a clear plastic cell that you could open with a half-twist, containing a filter. In the photo it looks like its a sealed unit with copper pipes so was basically permanently plumbed in. What gives?

 

Hang tight guys, the document should be ready this weekend, we'll try to get it up on Friday so you all can prepare for a weekend project if you want.

The filter is located under the body, near the driver side (US model) rear wheel. 2002 and under filters are easier to access and remove than the 03+ up.

 

I change my fuel filter when ever I change my air Filter so every 10K miles. I live in sunny CA!! Cheap items and simple job as long as you stay away from Jag parts that go back to the ice age !! LOL

 

OK, it's been a month. I can't wait any more! I'm going to go try this on my own. I'll make a video. Mine's a 2003, by the way. I hope it's not that hard.

 

[faced with a 20th century computer]
Scotty: Computer! Computer?
[He's handed a mouse, and he speaks into it]
Scotty: Hello, computer.
Dr. Nichols: Just use the keyboard.
Scotty: Keyboard. How quaint.