Changing the fuel filter on the Toyota Corolla is no easy task. Unlike most fuel filters that just snap on and off, the Corolla fuel filter in mounted on the bottom of the firewall right in front of the driver. You just can't reach down to the filter and get a wrench on it to loosen the compression fittings, you will need to remove some parts to gain access.
First I removed the air cleaner and the air breather hose going to the plenum. It was necessary to remove the tire to gain access to the filter from a different angle because the threads were hard to turn. They weren't cross threaded, just hard to turn either on or off.
Before I started any of the work to remove the fuel filter I disconnected the battery to be on the safe side. You really have to crawl around to get at the fittings and the possibility of creating a spark was a concern. Once you get on the fittings you just have to wrestle them off, there is no quick way.
Re-installing a new fuel filter is just as challenging. I just had to keep turning the fitting one flat at a time until it bottomed. I hope my Corolla is unique in the difficulty in getting the fuel filter on and off as the rest of the car is great. But plan on spending some time changing the fuel filter, it is no five minute job.
Once you are finished installing the new filter make sure to check for leaks. If you do see a leak, and you are positive you didn't cross-thread the fitting it just may need another turn of the wrench to stop the leak.
