how can i relieve the fuel pressure in the system without running the engine? everything i read tells me to run the engine after i shut off the pump, but i can't run it. how can i do this?

 

Get a rag and wrap it around the schrader valve on the fuel rail then press the relief. A Schrader valve looks like the air valve on a bicycle inner tube. There should be a gray cap on the valve just like on a bike.

JMC

 

i just take a rag and push down on the shrader valve to relieve the pressure. a small philips head screwdriver works good. wait till engine cools down. those exhaust manifolds are right there so....

 

tried that. got nothing out of it at all.
bad sign?

 

All that means is that the pressure has bleed off and you are good to go. You should still expect some fuel to flow out of the filter so be ready with some rags. if you are servicing an old filter I find that a few long squirts of WD40 on the inside of the fitting where you push the tool into cleans and lubes the fitting and makes the tool work better. Pushing on the fitting towards the filter when pressing the tool against it will also make it easier.

JMC

 

i'm taking the intake manifold off to do my head gaskets, and it told me to relieve the fuel pressure. can i replace the fuel filter and relieve pressure that way?

 

you are doing headgaskets?? thats a big job. gonna have to get those exhaust manifolds off or at least disconnect the y pipe. not going to be fun.

 

now why is it needed to have those off?

 

you DID pop the fuel pump button on the passenger side right?

 

pump won't run without power to it. batteries out. all set

 

JUST checking there killer. you know how some people are. they wouldn't have put that button there if it wasn't needed lol.

kinda like the whole "make sure engine is shut off before replacing fan belt"

 

You never mentioned what you were doing so I assumed that it was a fuel filter.
Just remove the hold down bolts and pop off the fuel rail. Personally I never relieve the pressure when I remove the rail. BUTI never work on a hot/warm engine. Gasoline evaporates and by the time I am done with what I was doing the fuel is all gone.

JMC

 

 

the two hoses on each fuel rail, those are rubber, do they just pull off?

 

No you need a special tool to release the connectors

looks like this...


or this...