Fuel Filter : Should I Change It?

[nasrul]

My 1997 sportage had it 87k miles today. I dont think that the previous owner has change the fuel filter yet. Should i change it or wait untill few thousand more miles? And what else should i service / replace / clean to ensure that my sportage in good shape?

[cdreece]

I have a 2000 and the only things i have changed on mine are the spark plugs and wires and air filter and it runs great has 91000 miles on it

[RaleTheBlade]

Still a good idea to change it while you have it apart, 8 dollars is alot less expensive than clogged injectors or bad fuel mileage, lol. Its cheap enough that its just a good measure to take, especially if you dont know when it was changed last.

[iowapack]

I purchased a 2000 Sportage for my wife from her sister. Seems like a decent little buggy with low miles, about 30k. I don't fit in it very well but she does and that works. It doesn't appear to have had regular service so I'm changing all the fluids, plugs, filters, belts etc. The fuel filter is visible on the passanger side under the intake manifold, but hard to reach. Can anyone tell me how to release the fuel lines from the filter? There's some sort of clip that I am unable to see or reach very well that I'm unfamiliar with. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[RaleTheBlade]

Your actually going to need a special tool for that. Its called a "Fuel Line Tool" or fuel line clamp tool that you can get at most auto parts stores. Getting the filter out is the main problem as its very hard to reach. You might be looking at removing the battery and the oil filter for better access