Replacing the fuel filter on a Grand Wagoneer

This is one of the most basic items to change.  It is simple enough and requires only the contents of a household junk drawer to do.  I give this repair 1/2 a wrench.


Tools needed:
Screwdriver (either a flat blade or a phillips will work.)

Parts needed:
Fuel filter Wix part number 33040 or Napa Gold 3040

The fuel filter is located right up on the top of motor, right near the front, with lines coming from the fuel pump and going to evaporative canister and the carburetor.
You see it here:

I have the PCV air inlet hose removed in this picture so that you can see the filter more easily.  It is back on for operation of the engine.

As you can see from the picture there are three screw clamps holding the filter in place.  I used a flat bladed screwdriver in case I needed it to pop any of the lines off the filter.  I did not need it the hoses all slid off, but it never hurts to be ready.  Unscrew the three screw clamps and slide the hoses off the old filter.

The new filter ready to go on.

You can clearly see the three ports on the new filter.  The fuel lines attach to the two larger center ports, and the line for the evap canister goes on the smaller side port.  Also the filter has an arrow on it to show the direction the fuel should flow through the filter.  Remember to line up the filter in the correct direction.

Here is what you will have when the filter is out.

The two hoses at the left are the ones to the carb and the evap canister. The short one on the right goes to the fuel pump.  The remainder are the spiders nest of vacuum lines running in all directions on this motor.

Reassembly is simply putting all the hoses back on and tightening up the screw clamps.

This basic maintenance item should be changed on the recommended service interval.  I use a 1 year interval on this type of filter.