Where is the fuel filter on a 2001 mercury cougar and what tools are needed to replace it?

You will need a straight-head screw driver and possibly a 1/4 inch nut driver.

The hoses are held by white plastic retaining clips that you pop off with the screw driver. My new filter came with new retaining clips in case the old ones break during removal. The filter itself is held in place with an adjustable strap like one you would use for any hose. You can use a screwdriver, but I prefer to use the nutdriver to avoid mangling the screw.

You can change this filter without having to actually put your body underneath the vehicle. Jack it up at the rear jackpoint just fore of the rear right wheel. The filter is slighty forward from there. You can lay on the ground next to the vehicle and just reach under to change the filter. It is about the size of a regular coffee mug. It is cylindrical in shape with one end rounded with hose nipple and the other end flat with hose nipple.

Before removing the fuel filter I tried pulling the fuel pump fuse (15A fuse #9 in the power distribution fuse box in the engine compartment next to the battery) to bleed the pressure off the line. The engine however never died, but acted as if it would, so I shut it off. I did not know where to actually disconnect the pump. Pulling the fuse seemed to help anyway. The hoses were not under pressure, though still about a half-cup or so of fuel still leaked out, plus the fuel in the filter itself. That's normal.

1. Start engine, pull fuse, wait for engine to choke, turn off.
2. Jack up car, use Jack-stand for safety.
3. Pop clips, pull off hoses.
4. Loosen strap, remove old filter.
5. Reverse for installation.

Filter is just forward of the fuel tank on the passenger side of the car. It is relatively easy to replace as it has a hose clamp on either end attaching it between the line from the fuel tank and the line to the fuel injection system. Filter costs about $ 12.