Before removing the fuel filter, it is necessary to relieve the pressure in the fuel system (see Chapter Power and exhaust systems)!
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
If your car stereo system is equipped with a security code, make sure you have the correct combination to activate the audio system before disconnecting the battery!
2. This work must be carried out with a cold engine (after waiting at least 3 hours after the end of the trip).
3. On most models discussed in this Manual, the fuel filter is located in the engine compartment of the vehicle and is attached to its rear bulkhead.
4. To make it easier to access the filter, remove the air cleaner cover assembly with the air intake duct (see Section Replacing the air cleaner filter element).
5. Wrap the fittings to be disconnected with rags (when releasing the connector, the fuel under residual pressure may start to spray), prepare a supply of old newspapers to collect spilled fuel.
6. Having secured the nut on the filter from turning, loosen the hollow bolt of the union nut of the inlet fuel line with the second wrench. Disconnect the pressure line from the filter, remove and discard the sealing washers - they must be replaced during assembly.
7. Proceeding in a similar manner, loosen the union nut of the outlet line union connector from the bottom of the filter. Disconnect the line.
8. Loosen the two clamp bolts and remove the filter from the assembly mounting bracket clamp on the bulkhead. If necessary, also remove the bracket.
9. Insert the filter into the mounting clamp and tighten the bolts by hand for now - a certain amount of slack in the filter seat will make it easier to connect the fuel hoses to the assembly. Make sure the filter is installed correctly: the direction of the arrow should match the direction of the fuel flow in the fuel system tract.
10. Connect the fuel line to the bottom of the filter (remember to replace the sealing washer), screw on and hand tighten the union nut.
11. Connect the pressure line to the upper side of the assembly, screw in the hollow bolt of the union connector and tighten it to the required torque (30 Nm), holding the filter from turning with a second wrench. Tighten the union nut of the lower connector to a torque of 35 Nm (again hold the assembly from turning with a second wrench).
12. Tighten the clamping bolts to 14 Nm.
13. Connect the negative cable to the battery. Turn on the ignition, increase the pressure in the fuel line and check the fuel system components for signs of developing leaks.
(Original material on the website: mitsubishiman)