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Liberty 3.7L V6 fuel filter replacement

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103K views 42 replies 21 participants last post by  blackhawk72  
6
#1 ·
What is the guideline for replacement of the fuel filter on the 3.7L V6 Liberty Sport? I've heard conflicting reports as I'll list below. First of all, after reading through the scheduled maintenance in the owner's manual for this motor, I've found no mention of replacing the fuel filter at all. I've also heard on this forum, the following:

1. never replace it because today's refined gasolines are so clean that it isn't necessary.
2. replace it after 30,000 miles
3. replace it after 60.000 miles
4. don't sweat it unless you can tell that there's a problem

I have always changed fuel filters every 30,000 miles on other vehicles I've owned. On older cars I used to change fuel filters every year. One thing that discourages me doing it on the Liberty is that it appears you have to rip the whole rear of the vehicle apart to change the filter. It also appears that to have a dealership do it, would be a pretty high priced operation.
Comments? Ideas????
 
1
#2 ·
if it aint broke dont fix it...
 
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#4 ·
I vote

E: Don't mess with it because it's rated for 100,000 miles (whatever that means) or some other obnoxious length of time, and IIRS it's inside your fuel tank with the fuel pump and is a PAIN to mess with.

Some have even said that it's a "Lifetime" filter, but whose lifetime? Mine, the Jeep's, or the Filter's? ;)
 
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#6 ·
fuel filter

now why would they put a fuel filter in the gas tank???? is that dumb or what? I can't believe that there is ANY filter that's got a lifetime shelf life. I do believe in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it " maxim. And i certainly don't plan on changing it anytime in the future.
 
B
#9 ·
The fuel filter isn't that hard to change, its right on the front of the tank but it costs $130 though. Ive never been able to have that question answered, Ive talked to many people at DCX (obviously not the right ones!) about why there isn't a regulary service fuel filter. ANd the ones that have an external filter, why they are so expensive. It acts as a fuel pressure regulator along with being a fuel filter, thats the only reason I can come up with for the high price.
 
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#40 ·
L
#13 ·
I just went through 2 fuel pumps on my 03 Caravan with only 21000 miles on the clock. After the second pump fried the dealer told me it was a dirty fuel filter causing it to burn, :confused: so they got me for $80 to change the filter ( part only ) the rest was warranty.
My conclusion is... ok dirty filter causes resistance on the pump and eventually fries it, or the first pump was a bad one and they just wanted to get me to buy a new filter.
I hope it was a bad pump because if these fuel filters need to be replaced every 10 or 15,000 miles to keep the pump from failing, I'll sell my Liberty as soon as the first pump goes,
 
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#14 ·
Long Island KJ said:
I just went through 2 fuel pumps on my 03 Caravan with only 21000 miles on the clock. After the second pump fried the dealer told me it was a dirty fuel filter causing it to burn, :confused: so they got me for $80 to change the filter ( part only ) the rest was warranty.
My conclusion is... ok dirty filter causes resistance on the pump and eventually fries it, or the first pump was a bad one and they just wanted to get me to buy a new filter.
I hope it was a bad pump because if these fuel filters need to be replaced every 10 or 15,000 miles to keep the pump from failing, I'll sell my Liberty as soon as the first pump goes,
Click to expand...
I don't believe ANY filter is good for the lifetime of a vehicle. It just makes sense to change the fuel filter at least every 30,000 miles, but who's going to do that when its so damned expensive to change a simple thing like that. It should be accessible from under the hood and easy to change like most other fuel filters.
 
S
#15 ·
Yep that sounds right, the fuel pump/filter is one unit in my 2000 Dodge ram and wrangler. I had to replace the filter/pump on the ram and at 140.00 I was not happy. I just hope that the filter does not go out on my G/F's Liberty.
 
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M
#16 ·
I read my Haynes Repair manual, it told me exactly how to change the filter.
I went to Advance Auto, they said it is listed as NS- "not serviceable."
I went to the dealership in Dover, Oh, They claim there isn't one. WTF?
The parts man told me to take it apart and bring the filter in and "maybe" he can cross reference it.
Really? How do You remove a gas filter, then drive to the dealership? Not to mention the hours of work
it would take, without knowing if a new filter can be obtained. Parts man said" life can be hard". I almost went across the counter!
Can anyone give me a Part Number, Web address to order from? Any useful information?
 
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#19 ·
FYI, my wifes '02 Mitsubishi Montero has a "non-serviceable" fuel filter. Dealer said don't worry about it. Have 120K on it now and it runs flawlessly. It also has a "non serv" trans filter/screen. Changing fluids is a dream. Everything has a drain plug, trans, diffs, transfer case. I wish they still sold them here.
 
M
#21 ·
My Question still is WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET ONE!

It is not in the tank, as it was in my 95 Dakota (connected/removable from the pump).

It is in an assembly on the front of the tank, I know how to remove it.~~~~
The dealership along with Advanced, NAPA, Zone, Rock, all say it is not serviceable.Seriously???
I have 173k miles on my Liberty and it has a pause, slight spit, short quit, especially when it's cold or going up hill.
Not all the time!!!! But acting as if the fuel filter is plugging!!! Been trying Seafoam and has helped to some degree......
 
#24 ·
My jeep started feeling a bit sluggish. My fuel pressure tested out at 25-30 psi. Specs state that it should be at 30-52 psi. While I swapped out my fuel pump i replaced the fuel filter as wrll' since I had to disconnect two of the fuel lines anyway. My so-called lifetime fuel filter was full of black fuel and contaminants when i disconnected the fuel lines. Now im good for another 100,000 miles.
 
#26 ·
Fortunate for those of us with the 2004 and under KJ we can still service the fuel filter separately, but with all of the work involved to replace it, it would be wise to replace the fuel pump while we're that far in to it. The fuel filter is attached to the front of the tank by one stud that requires a 10mm socket, plus accessing the two upper fuel lines through the access plate, in addition to slightly dropping the fuel tank. While I was in there I had cometely drained my fuel and sucked up the last gallon that was full of impurities into a separate container.
 
#30 ·
On the 2002 - 2004 models there IS an external fuel filter. It is the Autozone PN FF903L. It attaches to the FRONT of the tank by a stud and nut which takes a 10mm socket. You have to open up the Access cover in the cargo area AND partially drop the fuel tank in order to disconnect both of the upper fuel lines, and there is a third fuel line that runs forward to feed the motor. The Fuel Pump Module consists of the fuel pump, an internal filter sock, and external filter sock, the fuel pump, fuel level sending unit, the wiring pigtails, and the fuel pressure regulator. The Autozone/Airtex unit had all of the above, and the Chrysler unit excluded the Sending unit and the Pigtails.

Hope that this helps to clarify things up a bit.
 
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