I was told that all i have to do to change my fuel filter on my 89 300E W124, it take the cover off, clamp the hose between the fuel pump and filter, undo the bracket a little, undo the clamps holding the hoses on, swap out filters, reattach everything and wallah!

My questions are...

1. Should I order new hoses just in case the ones on the car fall apart in my hands? (If one were to break, how hard is it to change one out?)

2. Is this something a 17 year old punk a$$ kid like myself could do?

3. Once I change out the filter, how do I rid the line of air? Should I just start it like normal and let the engine cough it out?

Yes, you can do it.

Just keep on cranking until it starts. Air won't get trapped in the fuel line. Just be prepared for the fuel in the line between the filter and the engine to come out when you diconnect the line.

Good luck.

__________________
Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I also think it is a good Idea to this when the tank is low on gas, as well as having a bucket beside you just in case (the clamped rubber line suddenly cracks from old age...)
Don't ask how I know.

Make sure you remove the gas cap to release the pressure in the tank.

After you install the fuel filter, turn on an off the ignition (not start) a few times. This will prime the system and then you will be able to start it right away.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

Back the car up on ramps for ease of access and pull the ground strap off the battery for safety sake before you get started with removal.

As you're laying underneath the rear of the car looking up, you'll see a hose coming off the right side. It has an L-shaped metal piece that connects to the filter. The filter has a counter nut on that side. You'll use 2 wrenches - one to hold the counter and the other to loosen the metal end of the hose. If you do not apply counter-resistance, you'll tear up the hose. You may want to check this hose for hardness. Over time, they get very brittle and can rupture and that ain't cool. This would be a good time to replace it if it's hard as a rock. Dealers get $30-$40 for this hose.

The other side of the filter also has a counter nut fastened to it as well. Same deal - one wrench goes one way; one goes the other to loosen.

Do I have this down right?

Fuel Filter:
1. Park up on ramps if possible.

2. Disconnect battery and remove from car.

3. Open gas cap, leave off.

4. Remove fuel filter/pump cover.

5. Check hoses for hardness, if too hard, stop, replace all items and order/purchase new hoses.

6. If hoses are okay, clamp hoses with automotive clamp in two places. 1. between filter and pump, 2. from filter to engine.

7. Using two wrenches, remove one hose at a time, be prepared for leakage. Use one wrench to hold one bolt while undoing the other with different wrench.

8. Once both hoses are disconnected, remove filter.

9. Replace filter with new washers and reconnect hoses and clamps. Do not replace cover yet

10. Reconnect battery.

11. Turn on and off the ignition in order to prime the pump.

12. After about 5 priming cycles, attempt to start.

13. Once started, immediately check for leaks.

14. Replace cover if no leaks are detected.

Question:
When I am trying to twist the bolts off, which one do I hold on to and which one do I turn to remove the hose? Should I hold the bolts closest to the filter or vice versa?

The nuts on the the filter are the counters. You apply resistance to these in a clockwise direction; then loosen the outer one counter-clockwise. There's one on each side. The one on the passenger side is larger and looks more like a nut that you can put a large open-end wrench on. The one on the other side with the L-shaped hose end is a smaller nut in terms of thickness. If you do not use the counter nut, you'll destroy the hose attached at that side.

Your plan looks pretty good to me.

Thanks to all for the quick responses!

Wish me luck, if I don't return to the forums in the next 10 days, you know I am dead!