# Replacing Fuel Filter, 1996 Acheiva

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 10, 2007, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393 "2007-09-10T13:18:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PlantDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@PlantDoc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PlantDoc)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393/1 "2007-09-10T13:18:08Z")

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I am quite sure the fuel filter on on 1996 Oldsmobile Acheiva (190,000 miles) is partially clogged. The car hesitates and jerks when I accelerate slowly or go up hills. If I gun it or put it into 3rd gear, its much better. It’s been doing it for about 9 months and my mechanic replaced on O2 sensor to no avail 6 months ago. So after some investigation, I think it is probably the filter. I pulled the fuel pump fuse and ran the engine dry, replaced the fuse and this seems to improved the situation a little.  
  
  
  
 My question is, how the heck do I get the filter off? It has a quick connector that I simply can’t figure out. I know there are many different types of connector but I am not sure how this one works. The one on the car does not look like the ones I have seen for this vehicle on the auto part stores online. Supposedly I need a tool but after finding it online, I am not sure how to use the tool. For the $9.00 a filter costs, I would love to the the repair myself. But I don’t want to bung up the line and need a new fuel line to boot. Any advice on getting this filter off without damaging the line?

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393/2 "2007-09-10T14:46:16Z")

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Without seeing the connector I don’t think anyone can help. Most quick connects you just get a pair of plyers and squeeze the ends to open it up. And I ALWAYS replace them with small hose clamps.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393/3 "2007-09-10T15:10:22Z")

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There are inexpensive disconnect tools, under $15, at Advance Auto Parts stores. Ask the clerk (I mean “sales associate”) for help.

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**Author:** ![PlantDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@PlantDoc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PlantDoc)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-fuel-filter-1996-acheiva/4393/4 "2007-09-10T22:24:49Z")

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Thanks for the tip. I took a picture of the connector and showed it to the guy at my local Napa. He knew how to disconnect it and walked me through it. I made the switch but ended up smelling like a refinery for about an hour. It has improved acceleration and idling a good bit but the car still hesitates and jerks on the steepest hills, making me think this is a multicomponent problem. I’ll post a new topic for that discussion.