Hi guys! Just bought myself a 1,4 N15

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matti9

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Hi guys!

Just bought myself a 1,4 N15 Almera GX and want to do some general maintenance on it for my peace of mind.
I already fitted a set of new NGK plugs and an air filter and I want to replace the fuel filter and the oil.

I would need a bit of advice on the former.
I googled a bit to find hints and tips, but none were model specific. I would be happy for a complete walk-through but would also satisfy with hints on how to de-pressurize the fuel system before I start replacing the filter. When I fill up the car at the petrol station I know that opening the fuel cap will result in some huff and puff, but is this enough to do before the "operation"?
I read an article where it was suggested to fire up the engine and then remove the fuel pump relay, but I don't want to trigger any alarms in the car's electric system.
Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!
 
remove the fuel pump fuse in the fusebox by your knee, start the car and allow it to stall.

Crank it over a few more times and that should release the pressure and allow the fuel to flow back into the tank.

You can release the cap for peace of mind too.
 
Hally said:
remove the fuel pump fuse in the fusebox by your knee, start the car and allow it to stall.

Crank it over a few more times and that should release the pressure and allow the fuel to flow back into the tank.

You can release the cap for peace of mind too.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the quick reply! So the fuel pump fuse trick will come in handy after all.. My initial thought was that I'll just get a check engine light if I do that, but then I'll give it a go.
Once I got the new filter in, is there anything else to do before the first engine start? (like getting rid of the air that got into the fuel system or anything)
 
No it will sort itself out, just might need to keep it cranking a little longer to get the fuel back up to the rail.

Welcome, by the way!
 
Hally said:
No it will sort itself out, just might need to keep it cranking a little longer to get the fuel back up to the rail.

Welcome, by the way!
Click to expand...
Had an attempt a few minutes ago, but the home team didn't score.. :(
Good news is that the de-pressurizing trick worked fine.
The bad news is that after loosening and getting the pipe clip out of the way, the fuelpipe refused to let go of the filter pipe. It is the original one I guess (made in Japan writing + the car ran only 40k).
Since it is saturday evening and no parts shop will be open tomorrow I did not want to be too brutal.
My idea is that I should cut the fuel pipe right after the point it was fastened with the pipe clip and then it will come off, plus the new tightening point will thereby be "fresh" and won't allow chance to leaking. Am I right there?
My only fear about shortening the pipes in any way is that the pipes of the replacement filter I bought are straight on both ends whereas the original is bent by 90 degrees on the top (luckily I bought it way too far away to pop back and ask for an identical one to mine...
 
You tried getting some grips on it and rotating it from side to side to break the seal before pulling it off?

I've had it before where they are a bitch to remove.
 
Hally said:
You tried getting some grips on it and rotating it from side to side to break the seal before pulling it off?

I've had it before where they are a bitch to remove.
Click to expand...
Nope I did not want to risk damaging the fuel pipe. I also had sucked before with such clip-tightened pipes myself, but in all other cases the stakes were lower as they were not running highly flammable liquids and shortening the pipes was always an absolutely available option :D
I think I'll address the situation again tomorrow with a clean head and in proper daylight.
I am also not sure if I shouldn't abort the whole thing until I get another filter with a bent top pipe or just go ahead trying to swap the original with this one..
 
you can get a pipe removal tool. look like pliers but have cupped seats that securley fasten around pipe.

to get the pipe off as said above is just twist it back and forth to break the 'seal' and it will come off no problem, once youve got the hang of it its easy, done a few of these now.
 
maybe put a rag between the grips and the pipe to reduce the chance of damage, you dont have to use excessive force anyway, just enough to break the seal.
 
Yepp, I was thinking of cushioning it with something if I try the grips.
None of you advised chopping off any of the pipe so I'll try to break the seal.
Thanks for the help and advices btw!

The reason I am trying to be extremely cautious about the whole thing is because I read an article about a mechanic who cleverly modded his suzuki engine to GTI. On the first test drive one of the improperly fitted fuel pipes slipped off, and altough it was only yards from his garage with extinguishers, the car has burnt out completely before they could put out the blaze with his mates.
 
if there is enough slack in the pipes then just cut them with a stanley blade, this will cause no ill effects. as long as you put the jubily clip or spring clip back on the new filter properly they wont come off, don't let other peoples mistakes put you off, just learn from them ;)

....phone....
 
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