Where is the fuel filter located and how do you replace it on a 2000 Nissan Maxima?

Answer 1

Good question. I just changed mine on a 2000 Maxima GLE by just figuring it out. They say it's a non-servicable item...not true. It needed to be done at 90,000 miles. First thing, purchase a new filter from Nissan. I bought one on-line at Courtesy Nissan ( $20.00 ). It's pretty good size. Then, make sure your fuel tank is as empty as possible. Then remove the fuel pump fuse beneath the dash where the fuses are located. It's a 15 amp fuse. Look at the fuse chart on the inside of the fuse lid to make sure you pulled the right one. Do this job outside due to the gas fumes, or have a fan near by. You then remove the rear seat cushion by pulling outward on the two tabs located on the bottom front of the cushion near the floor board. The seat cushion slides right out. You remove the three large screw/bolts on the triangular cover. Don't mess with the wiring on top of the plate. Once the plate is off you'll see another metal ring containing like 6-7 smaller screws and there will be two hoses with easy-on connectors on the top. First remove the two hoses by pinching in on the two plastic tabs protruding on each connector head ( a bit stubborn ). Have a rag near by due to the small amount of fuel that will drip out. Remember which hose goes to each connector. Remove the 6-7 screws and remove the metal ring. Be aware that as you remove that last screw, the pump housing beneath is spring loaded and will pop up slightly. Once the ring is off, you'll want to carefully lift straight up on the pump housing and remove it from the fuel tank. It's about the size of a coffee can. You'll see some wires and a metal arm. Be careful not bend these, that's the float. Just as you get the housing the majority of the way out, you'll have to spin it and tip it to the side in order to get the float to clear the open hole. Once out, go to the curbside and work on it there. Fuel will be leaking all over. From here, you'll have to look at the new filter and sort of guide yourself through it. Basically, the top of the housing unit slides off. Do this by pushing in on the tabs along the side. I think there was three of them. This allows the top to slide off. Unhooking the two fuel lines ( remember which one is which ) inside the housing first, plus unplugging the snap plug inside ( + and - ), make it easier to remove. Once the hoses are disconnected, the plug is out, and the top is off, you need to remove the float assembly on the side. You can't remove the old filter until you do this. It's easy. Just push in on the two plastic tabs along the side of the float unit and the hole thing slides up and off. There will be some wires attached too. Be careful. Now you can reach in and pull the entire filter unit out of the housing. Just push in on the two tabs along the side of the filter. That dislodges it from the housing. Remove the filter and understand that the fuel pump, as small as it is, is inside the filter. Remove the bottom half moon shaped plastic piece by sliding it off. Remove the black rubber grommet, and then pull the fuel pump out. Be careful with the bottom screen of the pump, it's fragile. It might be easier to push the pump out of the filter from the top. Push on the plug at the top until the pump slide out. There's a rubber piece inside of the top portion of the filter where the top of the fuel pump enters the pump. Sort of like a condom. Remove that rubber piece and slide back on to the top of the pump. Spray the filter screen and the inside of the housing unit with some carb cleaner and clean it out and then re-assemble. Now do everything in reverse and make sure you connect the correct hoses with the appropriate connectors and re-install your fuse. Anymore questions, you can get me at gotsand2@Verizon.net Good luck. It took me about 1 1/2 hours. Scott.

AnswerCorrection...once you get the seat cushion out and remove the triangle shaped lid from the middle of the frame, there is another wired plug that does need to be pulled off. No big deal. I'm sure you would have figured it out anyhow. Scott. I'm replacing the fuel pump on my 2000 maxima and couldn't remove the two hoses inside the pump how did you take them off?