• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Relieving fuel pressure with no tools?

  • Thread starter Thread starter funkalicious
  • Start date Start date Mar 23, 2009
F

funkalicious

New Member
Apr 8, 2007
11
0
2
Mar 23, 2009
#1
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #1
Replacing the fuel filter as part of a tuneup on a 1993 Mustang GT but do not have a hand vacuum pump or a fuel pressure gauge and cannot afford to buy them. How can I relieve the fuel system pressure without tools?
 

trbkrb

Founding Member
Jun 4, 2001
1,976
4
39
Houston, TX
Mar 23, 2009
#2
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #2
I press in the schrader valve fitting on the fuel rail under the hood and use an old towel wrapped around it to catch the fuel that comes out.

Good luck!
 

bubba-dough

Active Member
Dec 28, 2004
1,044
2
38
Indiana
Mar 23, 2009
#3
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #3
Yep, me too....there is a shrader valve on the hard fuel line kind of behind the alternator. It probably has a black cap on it. Just press the valve core in like you are letting air out of a tire.

BE CAREFUL and wear safety glasses or better yet goggles. Gas in the eyes sux!!!!
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Mar 23, 2009
#4
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #4
Do as mentioned above - depressing the Schraeder valve on the fuel rail with a rag covering it. Use your thumbnail, and thus you won't need to actually use any tools ... unless you count the rag as a tool.

FWIW, I've found it best to leave the gas cap on and not to open it before or during a fuel filter change. It seems to keep some suction on the fuel in the tank, so you don't spill as much when you go disconnecting the lines from the filter, otherwise it gushes out.
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
Mar 23, 2009
#5
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #5
I just let the car sit overnight before I change the fuel filter, the pressure is usually alleviated by then.

Tip: before you remove the old filter from the bracket put some vacuum caps on each end of the filter so the fuel wont spill down you arm when you're taking it out.
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
Mar 23, 2009
#6
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #6
+1,2,3 and 4
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
Dallas, TX
Mar 23, 2009
#7
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #7
You dont have a screw-driver? Just takes a Philips head to take off 2 or 3 screws on the plastic trim in the trunk behind the drivers side taillight and unplug the inertia switch and run the car until it dies. You are still going to get fuel coming out of the lines so wear some safety glasses or goggles like stated previously.
 

strtrcr50

New Member
Jun 21, 2006
0
4
0
Previously from Dirty Jerzey exit 7a
Mar 23, 2009
#8
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #8
Even easier. Take a 3/8 extension, put it on top of the inertia switch, and tap it with a hammer lightly. Or just pull the fuel pump relay and run it out of gas.
 

4G-KDMP

10 Year Member
Jul 23, 2005
935
19
39
CA
Mar 23, 2009
#9
  • Mar 23, 2009
  • #9
LiquidGT said:
I just let the car sit overnight before I change the fuel filter, the pressure is usually alleviated by then.

Tip: before you remove the old filter from the bracket put some vacuum caps on each end of the filter so the fuel wont spill down you arm when you're taking it out.
Click to expand...

I use the same method!
 
H

Haus

Member
Jul 20, 2005
408
0
16
Mar 24, 2009
#10
  • Mar 24, 2009
  • #10
mob said:
You dont have a screw-driver? Just takes a Philips head to take off 2 or 3 screws on the plastic trim in the trunk behind the drivers side taillight and unplug the inertia switch and run the car until it dies. You are still going to get fuel coming out of the lines so wear some safety glasses or goggles like stated previously.
Click to expand...

thats how i do it too. works great
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Mar 24, 2009
#11
  • Mar 24, 2009
  • #11
I usually just pull the fuel pump relay and run it till it dies, simple and easy to access.
 
F

funkalicious

New Member
Apr 8, 2007
11
0
2
Mar 24, 2009
#12
  • Mar 24, 2009
  • #12
Thanks for the help! Fuel filter will get changed today. And, yes, I do have a screwdriver
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,356
208
114
Ohio
Mar 25, 2009
#13
  • Mar 25, 2009
  • #13
4G-KDMP said:
I use the same method!
Click to expand...

X3!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Fuel Erratic Fuel Pressure 1985 GT
  • DienstXIV
  • Jan 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
645
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 16, 2026
AeroCoupe
M
01 mustang 3.8 fuel pressure issue
  • Mhaley2006
  • May 29, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
102
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 29, 2026
Mhaley2006
M
C
98 gt fuel pressure issues
  • chasecollier1984
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
60
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 2, 2026
chasecollier1984
C
Fuel Damper, 2003 Mustang GT
  • bmmckl
  • Dec 19, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
172
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 19, 2025
bmmckl
Fox Fuel Pump Issues After Replacement/Upgrade
  • Ryu
  • Jun 23, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
516
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 5, 2026
Ryu
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?