I changed my factory fuel filters tonight.
It (the process) wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
I took it easy with the DFCM and the plastic 32mm socket area and it came off without an issue.

I allowed the DFCM to drain for around five minutes with no sign of it stopping so I gave up and removed it.
I lost about 4 qts of diesel but that's what a drain pan is for so add the current diesel rate of $3.79 to the cost.
This includes draining the fuel out of the secondary filter.

Put everything back together, cycled the fuel pump for the 30 seconds (wait for it to turn off) 8 times and it took about two seconds to crank but once it turned over it ran great; no spuddering.
I thought the book said 7 times so I did 8 for good measure but the book says 6 times; oh well what does it hurt.

Sorry, no video.

15,539.2 miles.
Some algae at the bottom of the DFCM and the filter.

After removal of the secondary filter
There are notches that guide you.



Inside the DFCM



DFCM with new o-ring



Factory DFCM filter





Factory old DFCM vs new filter




Here is a link to EpicCowlick's video.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10369642

 

Thanks for sharing your experience and that info. I found it really helpful and gave me a few things to look for when I go to do mine.

I am honestly a little surprised at how dirty I have seen these air and fuel filters lately. It just reinforces the notion that almost everyone should follow the "severe duty" schedule, even if you don't technically otherwise meet the criteria for it.

Could you please explain a little further on the cycle for the fuel pump? Is it literally key on for 30 seconds and then back off again 8 times?

Thanks,

-Rob

 

Yea after seeing this filter, it's 15,000 mile changes max.
I may crack open the secondary filter case to see what it looks like in there. It appears to be a sealed unit.
Maybe this will explain my 13 MPG empty when I was getting 15.

I keep all of my monthly drained diesel from the DFCM and I've never had any water or not enough to notice in a jar.

If you're in a quiet garage, when you turn the key to position 3 (or whatever that position is before starting) you will hear the fuel pump turn on and the DEF pump.

Don't start the engine!

Around 30 seconds the fuel pump will shut off and you'll hear it shut off but there will still be a noise and I think that's the DEF pump.

Turn the key to off (I call this position 1 where you can remove the key) then repeat 5 more times.

The manual says 6 times but 7 or 8 won't hurt anything except take away an extra minute of it's MTBF rate.

This was my first time ever changing fuel filters on a diesel engine so I wanted the additional assurance I purged all air.
I actually waited until the DEF pump shut off after turning the key off before repeating but Ford doesn't mention that so it's not necessary.

 

Congratulations on your successful adventure. I have to admit that I chickened out when it came to changing the fuel filters and took it to the dealer. You have given me the courage to do the next one myself.

Regards

 

Thanks for posting. I was surprised to see the algae on the filter. Is this normal? I never saw algae on my 6.0 fuel filters.

 

I didnt have any algae on mine. I had around 20k miles and boy did it make a difference. Drove smoother and a little more pep. I will change them regularly from now on.

Tim

 

I changed both my fuel and air filters and I have not seen any improvement in mileage. So not sure that I'd expect any increase.

I guess I'm fortunate in that I've never found any alge in my filters

 

I wonder if algae is a climate thing?
Here in AL, it's hot and humid.

This is with all Shell fuel (except whatever the dealer used when it arrived).
I also use 4 oz of the motorcraft cetane booster every other fill or so.

 

Thanks for the pics, had never seen algae before, I change my filter and have never seen anything like that.

 

Hey kper. Looks like we changed filters at the same time... No algae or gunk on my filter though.

 

Yep, nearly same results.
I plan to ask around about the algae issue to see if that's normal here.
Filters were in my truck 50 weeks; two weeks away from a year of ownership.