Fuel Filter Guide (eventually how-to)

[daftIntrovert]

The fuel filter on the 3rd gen Protege is not an inline filter under the hood like on many imports. Mazda integrated the fuel filter with the fuel pump, so it's in the fuel tank. Yes, this means it's way more complicated to replace than an in-line.

When to replace the filter:
The maintenance schedule for the Protege calls for fuel filter replacement at 160k km or 100k miles.

Parts Needed:
GY01-13-ZE0 - Fuel pump body - this is the housing that the fuel pump is in, but this is also what the actual fuel filter is integrated with.
ZL02-13-ZE1 - Fuel pump filter - this is not the actual fuel filter, it's the pre-filter sock. Replacing this is kinda optional but it's pretty cheap so do it
FEH2-13-ZE4 - washer - needed when replacing the pre-filter.
ZL01-13-ZE5 - rubber o-ring that connects the fuel pump to the fuel pump body. Another "might not be needed" part, but how much would it suck to tear into the fuel tank only to find out there's more parts you need.

Pricing for the parts (as of May 2008):
Just under $120 MSRP (at the dealer), $68 and some change through Mazda Motorsports, $90.58 from www.onlinemazdaparts.com

The Procedure
Disclaimer: I haven't placed the order for these parts yet so I'm speaking from what I've heard from others, haven't done it myself yet. It gets really vague right at the part that I haven't done myself :P

• Remove the bottom of the rear seats. On the Protege5 this is simple since the bottoms flip forward to allow flatter seat folding. Open both rear doors, on each side there's a little tab you can yank that pops the front edge of the seat bottom up, then they flip forward. On the sedans, pull up hard on the forward edge of the lower cushion to detach it. It is held in place by 2 clips --one about where it would be between your legs when sitting in the seat on each side. Remove the lower cushion completely from the car.
• On the carpet, see the cut out in the middle of where the back seat bottom would be? Flip that open, now you have access to the fuel pump cover.
• Take out lots of bolts, maybe release some fuel lines, more bolts, etc. bam fuel pump comes out and gets fuel all over your interior and it stinks for months.
• Remove fuel pump from old housing, install in new housing using new parts.
• Put back together

[MazdaTom]

• Remove the bottom of the rear seats. On the Protege5 this is simple since the bottoms flip forward to allow flatter seat folding. On the sedans I'm honestly not sure how that goes but I'm sure it's easy.

• Pull up hard on the fwd edge of the lower cushion to detach it. I believe its held in place by 2 clips- one about where it would be between your legs when sitting in the seat on each side. Remove the lower cushion completely from the car.

[daftIntrovert]

thanks, I'll add that to the first post.

[808mp5]

after getting the seat up. Make sure you unplug the two plugs on top of the fuel tank cover. Before u remove the fuel lines uncap your gas tank. This will relieve the pressure so fuel doesn't spill all inside your car. Now get a very good Phillips that is the proper size for the screws covering the pump and tank. These screws are like butter. Once u get the cover off you'll see the fuel pump.

Oops this thread is about replacing fuel filter. That's something I shouldve did when I installed the walbro.

[chiefmg]

I have done this to my gf's '99 and took some pictures, I would just have to track them down. I only replaced the sock as I wasn't aware there was a filter in the body. Still, the pics might help, let me know if you want them posted and how.

[daftIntrovert]

I have done this to my gf's '99 and took some pictures, I would just have to track them down. I only replaced the sock as I wasn't aware there was a filter in the body. Still, the pics might help, let me know if you want them posted and how.

if you get pics just post them attached to a post in this thread and I can figure it out from there. I haven't ordered the parts for this yet, my car has been extremely low on my priority list for weeks.

[SuperProtege5]

nice idea.

[jeg0024]

Now on the sedan there are what seems to be a fuel filter and fuel pump inline on the hose comming from the bottom drivers side of the fuel tank to the front of the car, what are these? I know you may not know due to the fact that you don't have a sedan but I can post pics if you would like to see what im asking about.

[daftIntrovert]

the sedan is 100% mechanically identical to the P5, it has an in-tank fuel pump and filter.