CEL Light (Fuel Filter)

[NewfoundlandDude]

I decided I wanted to replace my fuel filter last night, so on the way home from work I stopped into Napa & Picked up a fuel filter.

I took out the backseat, & the fuel pump, etc.......But found out that the filter is actually more of a screen on the bottom of the pump.

Napa had given me a conventional filter that looked like, for lack of a better word, an accorn (Yeah, I know) with an inlet/outlet.

So I got a ride to work today, and went back to Napa to exchange the filter, but they didn't have a clue what I was talking about, they said it was a "Dealer Only Thing".

I came home and put everything back together, and now I have a CEL.

Could this just be because I was messing with the filter & pump, and could be solved with a simple reset, or should I get it checked out. I don't think that we have anything like an Autozone here to just run the codes on, so I'd have to bring it into a garage.

[loystock]

You asked Napa for a fuel filter and that's what they gave you. The fuel filter in most Nissan/Infiniti cars is in the engine compartment (Q45 has it near the fuel tank), by the firewall on the driver's side. It is an in-line filter. I'm not sure why you went for the fuel strainer in the tank. The strainer normally comes with the fuel pump assembly. You're not supposed to go there unless you suspect the fuel pump is bad or the fuel level sensor is erratic. You could have damaged the fuel level sensor assembly. Go back there and check the level sensor, secure all connectors and that the fuel supply and return lines are correct.

Please siphon as much fuel you could from the fuel tank and disconnect the battery before working there. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid accumulation of explosive gases. A fire extinguisher can come in handy in case something goes wrong. If the CEL remains on after you started the car, you need an OBD II scanner (or ECU diagnsotics) to find out the exact nature of the CEL.

Rod97 and 03 Q45s04 G3597 and 99 I30s

[MattB]

I called my dealer recently about having the fuel filter replaced and they said on the A33s there isn't a filter that needs to be replaced. Are they full of it or do I really not have to change a fuel filter on this car?

[NewfoundlandDude]

I went for the "Strainer" because that is the only fuel "Filter" that the car has. Napa was full of it because the A33 doesn't have a fuel filter in the engine compartment.

I got my information from a couple of threads on this site, in which guys said that they replace their "Filters" every 16k.

I guess they were referring to different models, or they replace the strainer each time....

[loystock]

I get my parts from Joe (Scottsdale Infiniti a.k.a InfinitiPartsUSA.com or everythingnissan.com). They have an 01 I30 fuel filter for $10.45.

Rod

[loystock]

From the picture of your engine compartment, I can see the in-line filter. Follow your intake manifold and just below the throttle body, that 'shiny' canister is actually the fuel filter. I could be wrong but that's the location of the fuel filter in the I30.

Rod

[NewfoundlandDude]

I don't think so, but if you see it on this closer picture, could you point it out?

The dealership said that there was no filter, and I haven't bumped into it since I've owned the car (Only 3-4 months I guess). But if you have one on the I30, and a Maxima is nearly the same as an I30 usually, then it could be there.

[xerexabante]

There is no fuel filter on the 02 Maxima. The only filter is the strainer in the tank.

One reason that you might have on the CEL (MIL) is that you opened the gas tank. This will give you a code. It is the same as having your gas cap not shut properly. have your codes read and cleared.

Hope I was able to answer your questions.

[NewfoundlandDude]

Yeah, I cleared the code by leaving the battery unplugged overnight.Thanks for the confirmation (01 Max by the way, but I'm assuming it's the same concept).