This guide relates to left hand drive! for right hand drive you can disregard all reference to headlight removal.

So that fuel filter then, as you can see its pretty buried away there


Maybe mechanics practice Gynaecology? I think it is easier to remove the trims and headlight, let the dog see the rabbit.

Now the Fiat service course says to disconnect the battery but I doubt anyone does that in the real world but of course ignition OFF

After removed the three bolts the headlight pulls forward and is only attached by the multi socket
This is removed by pulling back the grey plastic retainer and then unplugging. Place the headlight out of harms way so you wont trip over it!



Now we're in



At this stage you can if you wish open the bleed screw and drain the diesel but without getting a long piece of pipe and something to catch it in my option was to not drain it.
The amount of fuel that will come out of the pipe connection isn't huge so I caught it with an old tea towel initially then drained it fully when off the vehicle.

So first the upper electrical connection. This is locked by the yellow plastic part, just slide it back and then with a finger behind the orange nib that it was covering pull it away from the housing.
LOCKED

UNLOCKED


Now the fuel lines. The grey collars effectively grip the tubing so have to be pushed towards the body first before pulling the fuel line out

Subtle difference
SECURED

UNSECURED only a couple of mm difference


So I first removed the top pipe and then with a tea towel under the lower pipe that too.
The lower electrical connection is easier to do with the housing lifted clear. Yes it just lifts upwards out of it's bracket (quite tight) .Keep the fuel spouts uppermost to avoid leaking the fuel.

The bracket




The spring needs compressing to free the connector then pull it clear.



Now you can fully drain the filter housing into a suitable container by undoing the bleed screw a few turns.

Now link to PART II

Then reconnect the bottom electrical connection before relpacing the unit


push downwards to the stops


Replace fuel lines and top connection.

Turn ignition on and check for leaks.

Turn engine over and it will fire up within 10 seconds.

thanks for superb write up and photos

you forgot to mention the swearing directed to the designers of it as well lol

I would just like to thank you for this fantastic write up on changing the fuel filter. Mine decided to explode and dropped half a tank of fuel going up the french alps. French breakdown insurance was rubbish they basically just didn't come out and pick us up. So I ordered the filter on amazon france and it came before 8am the next day. Got it delivered to local restaurant (very nice man). Fitted in about 10 mins and we were off again.

Thanks very much.