l wanna change my fuel filter, but l am not sure where it is located and if any special techniques need to be used. l am also going to change out my cabin filter. Where is it located? Thanks guys!
l talked to the Subi dealer today and they said there is no external fuel filter for 2005 Impreza Outbacks. However, on forums and my question, people say there is one. Can anyone verify it for me?

Under hood, back right side of the engine bay. its mounted on the right strut tower. A clogged fuel filter might not be the cause of ur your engine problems though. But its always good routine maintenance to do this. So just change it anyways. Your supposed to change the fuel filter every 30,000 miles on ur car according to the dealership.

Here goes.

What u will need:

Phillips Screwdriver - for the hose clamps

Eye Protection - To keep gas from getting in ur eyes in case u flick a gas line while removing it.

Rags - To catch any gas that will dribble out of a hose after u remove it

Fuel Filter - l got mine at the local auto parts store.

I'd suggest changing out a fuel filter after the car has sat overnight. Reason being, the motor is cold & all the pressure in the fuel system has dissipated. I've done it after the car has sat about an hour & there was no fuel pressure but the motor was still warm. Best to leave it overnight. The proper way, l understand, is to pull the fuse for the fuel pump, run the car till it stalls then remove the filter. I've done about 6 or so swaps w/ my overnight method w/ no problems though.

OK, lets get down to it. Put on ur goggles or some sort of eye protection. I've gotten gas in my eye before & it is no fun. Locate the fuel filter & undo the two lines that run over the filter from the plastic clip. With a phillips screw driver, loosen both hose clamps & slide the clamps about as far down the hose as u can. This will give u a good spot to grip the hose & the clamp wo not get stuck at the bump in the filters gas line. Next, undo the clip type clamp that holds in the filter. It is around the outside of the body of the filter & lifts up & away to un-clip. Take the clip bracket off & put it aside. Take some rags & put it under the hose where it comes into the filter. Now remove the hose. It is best to rotate the hose back & forth around the filters pipe to break it loose, then pull it off. Sometimes this part can be a bugger. I've had to use pliers to rotate the hose loose. If u do be careful not to damage the hose. If it gets cuts in it u will have to replace it. When the hose comes off some gas will dribble out, make sure u have a rag under there. After the hoses r off & u have the filter out, remove the plastic clip from the top & put it on the new filter. There is a rubber sleeve on the old filter too that needs to be removed & placed on the new filter too. The rubber sleeve is where the clamp holds the filter in place. Notice on the new filter there is an in & out pipe. The in is toward the outside & the out is at the center. Put the new filter in place (do not clamp it yet) Attach the two hoses, slide the clamps up & tighten them back down. Do not go crazy tight, u do not want to go so tight u cut the rubber, just make it nice & snug. Now put the clip back on & clamp the new filter in place. After that, clip the hoses back in the plastic holder clip. Now start the car, it may take a few cranks, the fuel has to fill up the filter first. Let the car run & check for any fuel leaks. That is it.

Cabin filter is located behind the glove box. You may find ur car never had one in it but it is pretty simple to replace. Also u can buy the filter from the dealer for about $20 or u can just buy a filter for home A/C is or heaters & cut about 6 of them for about 25 cents. Works just as good for me. l also lay a half a dryer sheet on the filter to keep the car smelling great for months. Fuel filter is where the guy above says it is. Disconnect the negative battery cable before trying to change the fuel filter & it should keep gas from shooting out.


l guess they Changed the N/A engines around that time too then. On my 06 WRX the fuel filter is in the gas tank connected to the fuel pump. It is quit a job requiring u ti empty ur tank & pulling the fuel pump assembly out so unless u r sure about ur abilities, l would have it done. Changing out my fuel pump took all day with a couple friends helping.