Hey guys, first post and first diesel. i've been reading the posts for some time now, though, while i was shopping for my 97 f-250.
I changed my fuel filter for the first time today, and was wiping out the housing and noticed that the wire semicircle on the interior base of the filter housing was just riding loose in there. I can see where it was attached to the three contact points, but it's not anymore. I set it back where it belonged with the little rubber washer in place in its slot, and screwed in my new filter.
I haven't run the truck yet, just wanted to know if I need to replace something or what?

 

I think that is the fuel bowl heater. I have heard that it can short out and blow one of the fuses under the hood. #22 maybee.
You probably need to get a new heater element. Check international first, they are ussually cheaper than ford. Hope that helps you?

 

Thanks. Just wanted to know if it was something I needed to worry about immediately. I'll get some information scraped up about a replacement. Where do you shop for International Parts, a local dealer or what?

 

The old style is around $40 from Ford, and $30 from International.
Old Style: (Ford PN F5TZ-9J294-A) (International PN 1825186C91)


for the time being you should pull the wire out and unplug it from the side of the housing. its very easy with some needle nose to reach down in there and unplug it.

 

I need some additional info about unplugging the fuel heater element.

I kinda looked on the left side of the filter housing yesterday........I think there were 3 single wires plugged into the side of that thing........I'm guessing one is the "water in fuel sensor" wire? Well, not really plugs, but connectors slid over threaded studs.

Can someone provide me with some detaield info about unplugging the heater element.

Thanks............

 

well i was talking about unpluging it on the inside but you can do it on the outside also its the top one of the two.

 

On mine it was 2nd wire from top.Wire is either red with green tracer,or green with red tracer can't remember. Anyway it's a small spade type connector. Depending where you live, you probably don't need it. I just unplugged it after it left me sitting on side of road one day, replaced 30amp maxi fuse (#22), and never looked back.