changing fuel filter

[esculatus]

For those that have changed their fuel filter, did you disconnect the fule pump outlined in the Service Manual first? is that necessary?

Also, there is a plastic adapter on top of the old filter. How to disconnect that from the fuel filter?

Thanks in advance

[bassthrive]

It is not necessary to disconnect the fuel pump. Lemme break it down for ya, all from memory at 3am here so correct me if i get something wrong, wish I took pictures...



1) put something under your car to catch dripping fuel, have a fire extinguisher close by.

2) unscrew gas cap to release pressure in fuel lines.

3) the fuel filter (for V6 at least, dunno about I4) is located under the airbox. have a helper hold the fuel filter in place with a 19mm wrench while you turn the lower fuel line nut with a 14mm flare wrench (important!) Make sure you are turning the wrench towards you - a hammer and spray lube can help if its too tight to turn by hand.

4) now that the line from the tank is disconnected, you will take off the black plastic rounded cover on the top of the old fuel filter. I used a flathead screwdriver to pop it off. (you can unbolt the old filter from the bracket before this if you want and pull it out so you can see it better, though it will still be connected to the engine by a black fuel line; see next step)

5) squeeze the gray clip you find under the black cover to disconnect this fuel line.

6) save the tiny piece of gray plastic (on the male portion of the old fuel filter) and pop it on your new filter.

7) reverse directions with the new filter.



I think thats about it. Lemme know if you have any questions.

- Paul

[Ford_Fixorrepairdaily]

how come your changing the fuel filter?

[esculatus]

very cool!
the Haynes Repair manual said something about disconnecting battery, and the fuel pump, and run your engine until it runs out of gas. Then perform the fuel filter change. how much fuel was leaking?

[esculatus]

how come your changing the fuel filter?

I thought it's a 30,000 mile maintenance?

[onefiend]

how come your changing the fuel filter?

I thought it's a 30,000 mile maintenance?

check your manual, it says our OEM filters has to be changed at 100,000 miles.

[bassthrive]

30,000 is a little premature. I did my filter at 62,000, though it is supposedly good till 100k - changing a filter is never a bad thing. Surprisingly little fuel came out when I did the change, maybe a pint. I forgot to mention that I put a towel under the filter assembly to catch the gas and soak it up so that it wasnt dripping all over the place.

- Paul

[esculatus]

thanks Paul! my car is at 75K and the Haynes Manual was suggesting every 30K. So I guess I am still good for a while. I just passed my SMOG check and cleaned my throttle body. Many thanks to your helpful tutorial!

[bassthrive]

Ok my mistake, i thought your odometer was at 30k. Haynes is wrong, the filter lasts longer than that. Still, 75,000 miles is definately a good time to change it. Glad I could help.

- Paul