Where is the fuel filter located and how do you replace it on a 2000 Ford Focus LX?

Answer

It's located under the body of the Focus. The fuel tank is located inthe rear of the vehicle. If you jack up the car on the passenger side, then crawl up underneath about where the back dor is located, you find the filter. It is about the size of beer can. It's fairly easy to change. There is on screw that holds it to the undercarrage. Loosen it and it will drop a bit. Then remove the 2 connections of the fuel lines that attach to it and your done. ***NOTE: Be careful when you loosen the side closest to the door. It will still have some preasure and will spew gas. Just ease it off until it starts to leak, then wait 'til it finishes. Otherwise, you'll gat a gas bath! Good luck

• Edit by Jabes*

Rather than letting the precious $3 gas leak out and create a fire hazard, you can locate and remove the fuse to the fuel pump. Once removed start your car and let it idle until the engine stalls. This will remove all fuel pressure. Replace the fuse, and start the fuel filter replacement. Hope this provides a better alternative!

Pulling the fuse on the fuel pump (which is located in fuse box under the hood at the driver's side firewall), and running it til it stalls is called "depressuring the fuel system." After it stalls the 1st time, try starting it up again and let it run til it stalls again. Keep doing it until it won't start all. Then disconnect the battery ground cable.

I just used the previous location answer to help me change the filter today. Here is what I would do next time. Instead of using my ramps for the 2 back tires, I would use them on the 2 passenger side tires. This might help with the gas constanting dripping out while trying to change the filter (and, yes, I depressured the system before starting, but there is reside fuel left in the lines still.) The only tools you need are an 8mm socket with a at least a 6in extension to get the filter bracket bolt out, a 9/32in socket to get the filter out of/into the bracket, and 10mm wrench to get the battery ground cable off, and a rag to wipe dripping fuel. Also, USE safety goggles.

This is only slightly difficult and saves a lot of money. NAPA has a great filter for $12 and it will take about 45 minutes of your time (set up and tear down included.) I know Firestone wants $90 to do the job. If I can do it, any scmuck-on-wheels can do it.

I tried the directions above on my 2001 Ford Focus SE and it is MUCH easier to just unscrew the harness from the undercarriage rather than try to squeeze a socket wrench between the filter and the gas tank. Also, at least on the 2001 model, the bolt is not an 8 mm, more like a 7 or 6 mm. Finally, on the 2001 model, the fuel lines are held on simply with clips that are fairly easy to pop off. Finally, there's no need to take the grounding cable off the battery, just remove the fuel system fuse from the fuse box under the hood. It should be a blue 15 amp fuse.

On my 2000 Focus SE the directions above helped with locating the filter; under the passage side rear door. Almost in line with the seam between the front and read door. 8MM socket with 8 inch extention to remove the bracket holding the filter to the body. Small screw driver helps with getting the clips to slide up. They do not come off; just slide to one side. Once the hoses are loose the filter and bracket comes out. There was another hose which the filter and bracket has to be moved around. Once off a 7mm socket to undo the bracket from the filter. Paid attention to fuel flow and put the bracket on new filter the same way. There is a little tab that raps over the end of the rounded end of the filter. Put filter with bracket back in place and attach the hoses. Then attach the bracket to the body of the car. Took about 30 minutes but some of that time was cleaning up the fuel spill. Holds alot more fuel than I thought!

First answer by Edward Palmer. Last edit by Tsq111man. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 86 [recommend question]