I have changed my fuel filters two times on my 2012 truck and both times had trouble getting the old filter out of the canister mounted to the engine. The filter fits so tight I can barely turn it so I can slip it out. I finally got the old one out I changed today after working with it for about 30 minutes. Then I had a lot of trouble getting the new one to slip in. I finally got it in but was afraid I was going to break it due to it being so tight. I watched EpicCowlicks's video and he mentioned having to take out a small bolt/screw to remove the filter but I could not find the bolt he was talking about. The maintenance manual for my 2012 truck did not say anything about removing a bolt to change the filter. So my questions are: 1) is there a bolt that needs to be removed on a 2012 truck to change the filter (and if so, how do I identify it, and 2) should I put some silicone on the filter casing so it would slide in easier. I have done the maintenance on my diesel trucks since 1992 and this is the most difficult time I have had trying to change a filter. I truly would appreciate some advice on how to make this easier the next time.

 

There is a bolt, i believe it tightens the clamp that the filter sits in. I am trying to picture it in my head when I did it. If you dont take it out, i could see how it would be a hell of a time to get the filter out of the holder.

 

Mike, I looked and looked for a bolt but the only ones I saw appeared to be bolts that mounted the canister, or what ever it is called, to the engine. I did not see any bolts that looked like they would have anything to do with removing the filter. I hope someone can tell me where it is.

 

I am not around my truck right now so i can't look at it. I want to say it sits on the drivers side on the housing of the filter holder but not 100 percent on that. Also i dont think you have to remove it, you just have to loosen it up a little. Again not 100 percent, it have been a while since I have done it.

 

I just went out to the garage and looked again and still cannot locate a bolt that appears to have anything to do with removing the filter. I know most everything is the same on the 2011 and 2012 trucks but I wonder if the 2012 has the bolt that was on the 2011?

 

the bolt is about half way down on the filter and sets horizontal

 

I will look at mine tomorrow if nobody chimes in. My only filter change at this point I got under the truck to do that one and brother in law did the one topside. Had it done before the lower was even done draining. Shouldn't give ya any fuss.

 

I think they changed it in 2012. I've heard folks say they have to give it a slight twist in order to pull it out. On mine the screw/bolt is very obvious right out in the open. Loosen it with a screw driver or nut driver and the filter just lifts out.
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Look on page 53 of the 6.7L Coffee table book. The Secondary Fuel Filter photo You can see the screw head right above the fuel rail temp sensor.

 

Cheezit, I just looked again for a horizontal mounted bolt and did not see one. I am thinking that the 2012 trucks just don't have one. But on the other hand, I don't understand why the filter fits so tight in the housing. Something isn't right that's for sure.

 

Thanks PH. You are right about having to twist it to get it out. The filter has a small protrusion that slips down into a veritcal slot on the housing until it bottoms and then you twist the filter so that the protrusion slides into a horizonal slot. However, the filter fits so tight in the housing it is hard to get it to slide down into the housing. The filter is so tight you lose the feel of whether its in the slot. I guess its possible the housing is defective or just too small. Also, thanks for letting me know your bolt is out in the open. I have been climbing all over mine to see if it was on the backside.

 

2012 does not have bolt. It is hard to change

 

They changed the design part way through 2012. My truck doesn't have the bolt to loosen while my dads does. His filter is easy to change while mine not so much. Can't remember build dates on either right now.

 

I changed mine a couple weeks ago. I have a 2012 and no bolt. You have to turn the filter housing about half a turn for the alignement tabs and it comes right off (can't remember which way for sure, but I think it's counter clockwise). Mine was absolutley no problem at all...no struggles to pull it off. Maybe you guys aren't getting it aligned properly before trying to take it off? Hope this helps.

 

Just changed mine last week in my 2011 and I found this videio very helpful.
Oh and kuddos to Ford for making oil changes and fuel filter changes so very easy even I can do it.

 

bks, thanks for your response. You describe exactly what I experienced. I'm not sure how to make it easier.