Hi

Recently bought a 99 Felicia 1.3 MPI on at least 86K and it looks as though the fuel filter is the one it left the factory with.

My question is how do you get the shield off that it hides behind? I can see its held on by three bolts and what appear to be soem kind of captive nuts, but there's nothing on the captive nuts to get a spanner on and I can't find the bolt heads inside the car after moving seats, carpets etc.

Maybe I didn't look hard enough (it had been a long day of servicing an unfamiliar motor) but any help appreciated.

I'm keen to change the fuel filter as the car seems to be lacking a few horses at the top end, (even though it runs sweet as a nut otherwise) and I'm starting at the lowest cost possible fixes. (Already replaced spark plugs and air filter)`

My only other thoughts are fuel pump, valve clearances or injector cleaning with an additive. Any suggestions if the filter doesn't liberate a few bhp?

Edited 10 July, 201115 yr by juan27

hi there- easiest way to get at your filter is jack up the car, get underneath, release the exhaust rubber clamps, release the 3 nuts holding the shield on....the bolts are fastened to the body, and there's the filter looking at ya. i found a great help is attach a piece of string to the outlet pipe of the fuel pump- theres two pipes, with arrows of direction (prise up the circular plate under the back seat, thats where the pump lives) - this will allow u to pull the filter out a bit, giving u room to work on the clips. - when u have the filter fitted, use the string to pull the outlet pipe back to the pump. - its always a good idea to put a fresh filter in if u are unsure if its ever been replaced, but to be honest, to get a Felicia engine running at its full magnificently powerful best ( sorry....just got a fit of helpless laughter) - do the tappets....slowly and carefully.. it makes a HUGE difference to the running of the car. - best of luck!

Edited 13 July, 201114 yr by chef1

hi there- easiest way to get at your filter is jack up the car, get underneath, release the exhaust rubber clamps, release the 3 nuts holding the shield on....the bolts are fastened to the body, and there's the filter looking at ya. i found a great help is attach a piece of string to the outlet pipe of the fuel pump- theres two pipes, with arrows of direction (prise up the circular plate under the back seat, thats where the pump lives) - this will allow u to pull the filter out a bit, giving u room to work on the clips. - when u have the filter fitted, use the string to pull the outlet pipe back to the pump. - its always a good idea to put a fresh filter in if u are unsure if its ever been replaced, but to be honest, to get a Felicia engine running at its full magnificently powerful best ( sorry....just got a fit of helpless laughter) - do the tappets....slowly and carefully.. it makes a HUGE difference to the running of the car. - best of luck!

Thanks for getting back to me and tips etc.

I've already had it jacked up and seen the filter, but I couldn't see anything on the 3 shield fastenings underneath that looked like conventional nuts?

I'll have another look when time permits.

they are 8mm nuts but they do look like captive ones at first, the bolts are captive so just undo the 3 8mm nuts and pull the tray off.