# Fuel Filter Removal Tool **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** filters, gasoline, cougar\ **Created:** [April 20, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098 "2008-04-20T22:16:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thebigdrink](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thebigdrink/32/300_2.png) [@thebigdrink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thebigdrink)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/1 "2008-04-20T22:16:07Z")
I am attempting to change the fuel filter on my '95 Cougar, and have found that the clip after the filter requires a special tool for removal. Searching online I’ve found a few things come up for ‘fuel line removal’ such as this [http://www…mber=96834](http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96834) is this what I need? I can’t see how I would use it on the clip. I’ll try to attach a photo in a reply to this message shortly. ---
**Author:** ![thebigdrink](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thebigdrink/32/300_2.png) [@thebigdrink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thebigdrink)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/2 "2008-04-20T22:18:00Z")
Here is a picture of the clip in question. No specific problems with the fuel filter, but it has had about 50,000 miles of fuel run through it, which is the recommended change interval. ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/3 "2008-04-20T22:25:31Z")
yes the tools you posted will work,you just have to remove the retainer,the rusty clip on the top of the picture,thats a back up. have a great day the TROLL ---
**Author:** ![thorough7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@thorough7](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thorough7)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/4 "2008-04-20T22:30:31Z")
looks like you can just use a screwdriver to pry out the left side of this clip. Do you have any clues from looking at the new part? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/5 "2008-04-20T22:32:46Z")
Yup! That’s the tool you need. You see how the clip is fastened to the fuel line? Pop that off the fuel line and then push the clip towards the fuel filter to remove it from the connector. Now take the tool and insert into the line fitting and push towards the line while at the same time pulling on the fuel filter. Tester ---
**Author:** ![thebigdrink](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thebigdrink/32/300_2.png) [@thebigdrink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thebigdrink)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/6 "2008-04-20T22:34:18Z")
Thanks mmsamma, after posting I looked at the picture and realized I could probably rotate the clip up and off…which I did. Now what do I need to do with that tool? Perhaps it will be self-evident once I have the tool in hand. It seems that the filter is just pressed into the line under that clip with friction, but there must be something more to it. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/7 "2008-04-21T00:05:51Z")
There is a spring that locks it in. Push the tool in, and it will release it. ---
**Author:** ![thebigdrink](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thebigdrink/32/300_2.png) [@thebigdrink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thebigdrink)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fuel-filter-removal-tool/13098/8 "2008-04-21T03:32:16Z")
Thanks for everyone’s replies. This forum is a great asset for these kinds of questions, unfortunately my knowledge isn’t adequate enough to answer questions, but it sure is nice to be able to find answers to my questions.