Changing Fuel Filters: 2003 S-10 Truck Guide

Changing the fuel filter on a 2003 Chevy S-10 is a simple task that can be completed in about 30 minutes. The fuel filter is located under the cab of the truck on the driver's side, in a round bracket under the driver side inside of the frame rail. Before beginning, relieve the pressure from the fuel filter by unscrewing the gas cap from the gas tank. Next, put a catch pan under the fuel filter to catch the excess fuel. Remove the fuel line with the plastic clip by squeezing the head of the clip and pulling the line back. Then, remove the other fuel line with a 9/16 wrench by turning it counter-clockwise. Now, slide the fuel filter out of the round bracket and discard it into the catch pan. To install the new fuel filter, simply reverse the removal process, ensuring that the flow arrow on the fuel filter is facing towards the engine. Finally, inspect the fuel filter and fuel lines for any leaks, and you're done!

Relieve the pressure from the fuel filter

To relieve the pressure from the fuel filter of your 2003 S-10, you must first remove the gas cap from the gas tank. This will relieve the pressure from the fuel filter.

Another method is to pull the fuel pump relay (or a fuse) to relieve the pressure. The relay is located in the glove box. Turn the key to the run position and you should not hear the fuel pump prime. If you don't hear it, you've found the right relay. Then, proceed to start the truck normally. It may have enough reserve pressure in the lines to actually start and run for a second or two, or it may just crank for a few seconds. Either way, you've relieved most of the pressure.

You can also relieve the pressure by using a fuel pressure tester or a screwdriver to push in the fuel pressure check valve next to the passenger-side engine head.

Locate the fuel filter

To locate the fuel filter on a 2003 S-10, you'll need to look under the cab of the truck on the driver's side. The fuel filter will be in a round bracket under the driver side inside of the frame rail. It should be on the driver's side frame rail on the inside. It looks like a can with a plastic strap around it.

The fuel filter is part of the fuel system, which is always pressurised, even when the truck is not running. Therefore, you must relieve at least some of the pressure. To do this, pull the fuel pump relay (the fuse will also work). The relay is located in the glove box. Once it's pulled, turn the key to the 'run' position and you shouldn't hear the fuel pump prime (it sounds like a whine or a hiss). If you don't hear it, you've found the right relay.

Then, proceed to start the truck as normal. It may have enough reserve pressure in the lines to actually start and run for a second or two, or it may just crank for around three seconds. Either way, you've relieved most of the pressure.

Now you can crawl under the truck with your wrenches. Line wrenches are best, but it can also be done with well-fitting regular wrenches.

Prepare a catch pan for excess fuel

To prepare a catch pan for excess fuel when changing the fuel filter on a 2003 S-10, follow these steps:

Firstly, locate the fuel filter. It will be under the cab of the truck on the driver's side, inside the frame rail. You'll see it in a round bracket. Once you've located it, put a catch pan underneath the fuel filter to collect any excess fuel.

It's important to note that the fuel system is always pressurised, even when the truck is not running. So, before you begin, relieve some of the pressure. One way to do this is to pull the fuel pump relay (you can find it in the glove box). Turn the key to the 'run' position, and you should not hear the fuel pump prime (it sounds like a whine or hiss). If you don't hear it, you've found the right relay. Then, try to start the truck. It may have enough pressure in the lines to start and run for a few seconds, or it may just crank for a few seconds. Either way, you've relieved most of the pressure.

Now that you've relieved the pressure and located the fuel filter, you can put the catch pan in place. It's important to be prepared, as gas will come out once you start to unscrew the fuel filter.

Remove the fuel lines

To remove the fuel lines from your 2003 S-10, you'll need to relieve the pressure from the fuel system. One way to do this is by pulling the fuel pump relay (you can find this in the glove box or under the hood). Turn the key to the 'run' position and you shouldn't hear the fuel pump prime. If you don't, you've found the right relay.

Next, you'll need to locate the fuel filter. This should be on the driver's side frame rail on the inside. It looks like a can with a plastic strap around it. Place a pan underneath the fuel filter to catch any excess fuel.

Now, you can remove the fuel lines. The first line can be removed by squeezing the head of the plastic clip and pulling the line back at the same time. The lip of the plastic clip is locked onto the fuel filter, so when you squeeze the head of the clip, it releases the lip.

The second line can be removed with a 9/16 wrench. Put the wrench on the head of the fuel line and turn it counter-clockwise to remove the line.

Be careful not to round off the nuts! Go slowly so you don't twist off and break the line.

Slide out the old fuel filter and insert the new one

To slide out the old fuel filter and insert the new one, you must first relieve the pressure from the fuel filter by unscrewing the gas cap from the gas tank. Next, locate the fuel filter under the cab of the truck on the driver's side. It will be in a round bracket under the driver's side inside of the frame rail. Place a catch pan under the fuel filter to catch the excess fuel.

Now, remove the fuel line with the plastic clip by squeezing the head of the clip and pulling the line back. The lip of the plastic clip is locked onto the fuel filter, so when you squeeze the head, it releases the lip and lets you pull the line back. Remove the other fuel line with a 9/16 wrench. Put the wrench on the head of the fuel line and turn it counter-clockwise to remove the line.

At this point, you can slide the old fuel filter out of the round bracket and discard it into the catch pan. Now, simply slide the new fuel filter into the round bracket.

To finish up, push the fuel line with the plastic clip onto the fuel filter tube and push it straight on until the plastic clip locks in place. You will feel it lock on. Gently pull back on the fuel line to make sure. Screw the other fuel line onto the fuel filter and tighten it down with the 9/16 wrench.

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