- 1). Park the vehicle on a flat surface in a well-ventilated, well-lit area. Wear a respirator, eye protection and rubber gloves when working around fuel to protect yourself.
- 2). Locate the fuel filter for your vehicle. The filter will be between the fuel tank and the fuel injection system. On some vehicles it is located under the rear of the car, near the axle or rear wheel. On other models it may located in the engine bay. Consult a workshop manual for your vehicle if you cannot locate the filter. If the filter is located under the car you will have to support the car on a jack stand while you inspect it. There may also be a protective shield covering it that will be fastened in place with screws or bolts.
- 3). Wipe off the fuel filter and the nearby fuel line. If the filter is leaking fuel, you will likely smell the strong odor of gas near the filter. Use a rag and degreaser to clean the area. Be sure to wear a respirator while you do this.
- 4). Start the vehicle and then shut it off. Inspect the area around the fuel filter for the source of the leaking fuel. Look for cracks or leaks in the filter itself.
- 5). Inspect the rubber hoses where they are fastened to the filter on either side. Look for cracks, tears or holes in the fuel line. If there are any cracks that are letting fuel out, the fuel line will have to be replaced.
- 6). Check the tightness of the fuel hose clamps. Loose clamps can potentially cause leaks. Tighten the hose clamps with a screwdriver if they are the type that can be tightened. Ensure that the clamps are fastened tightly around the hose so that fuel cannot leak out.
- 7). Replace the fuel filter if you suspect that it is defective. To replace it, place a pair of locking pliers on the fuel line on either side of it to prevent the fuel from leaking out. Loosen the hose clamps and then pull the fuel lines off of the filter. Install a new filter along with new hose clamps. If you replace the filter, fuel line and hose clamps, you should have no leaking, though fixing the leak will probably not require that they all be replaced.
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