1997 CRV Fuel Filter

I tried to change the fuel filter in my crv and cannot get the bolts
to loosen up. Is there a trick to this? I tried to depressurize the
fuel system by removing gas cap. I have the new honda filter in
sealed packae for over a year. Please help!

 

why are you trying to change it? are you suffering fuel starvation?
usually, honda filters last the life of the vehicle.

 

The vehicle has 111000 and thought it wouldn't hurt the fuel system or
my mialege. I avg 23.49mpg. It runs fine though, so maybe I should
just let it be.

 

wrote in @w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com:

As I said in reply to your private email, it's best to get a garage to
change the filter. It's a bear getting those bolts undone by hand.

 

Is it necessary to replace the fuel filter at my mileage, or is it
really lifetime as previously posted?

 

wrote in

It's a good idea, but not absolutely necessary, no.

Generally speaking, I like to change them every 100,000 miles or so.

 

U mentioned impact wrench on filter, which is fine. What about the
nut on the bottom of the filter. The top has the banjo bolt that can
more easily be accessed.

 

wrote in

You've got a different style of filter than I've got. You're saying the
inlet is on top and the outlet on bottom? Same idea would apply: Impact in
both places.

 

OK, the inlet is on bottom and the outlet top. The top has the banjo
bolt, the bottom is the line going direct to the bottom of the filter.

 

just leave the freakin' thing alone! if you're getting fuel starvation,
you'll know it when you're ascending a 50% grade with the wife's mother,
all the kids, a roof rack and towing a trailer with a pig in it. not
before.

 

Why wait that long. If you wait that long until the filter is
starving the system, then there is dirt in it, yes? It can be assumed
that the filter can only hold so much dirt before it starts to slip
by. Why let that dirt in the system and do more harm than necessary?

 

because that dirt is in the filter, not the system! it can't harm the
pump because it's already passed through, and it can't pass through to
the injectors - it's perfectly safe where it is.

i smell "recreational" maintenance.

 

Does is not stand to reason that the dirt is bogging down the system?
Maybe not noticeable yet?

 

wrote in

If you're really worried about starvation, you can get the fuel pressure
checked at a garage. The pump runs at a constant volume, so any low-flow
issues will be evident in the shop. You'll be around 40psi if fuel flow is
still good.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with "recreational maintenance" provided
you are aware you're doing it to make yourself feel better.

 

not yet. the capacity of those things, under normal conditions, is over
300k miles.

/that/ is the point i keep asking - do you notice fuel starvation? you
know, full throttle, up a big hill, with the vehicle fully loaded....
if so, /that/ is when you change the filter, not before. honda fit real
filters with real mileage capacity, not those stupid thimble-sized
things that detroit uses.

 

I am curious: What does your owner's manual say about how
often the fuel filter should be changed?

For the 1997 Civic, it's every two years or 24k miles (UK
site's online service manual; I think it's a bit different
for American Hondas).