So I have been noticing sluggish starts and crappy fuel milage lately with my 95. I went to Advanced Auto and got a motorcraft fuel filter to replace what was potentially a plugged filter. I got home and uncorked the filter bowl. Now here's where the problems started. The underside of the cap looked nothing like what was on the installation instructions ( sans 2 slots on cap lip that tab clips engage into) and the gasket in the kit was a bevel gasket. After prying the old filter from the 4 internal lock tabs in the cap, I took notice that the filter that was in it was a NAPA gold filter, it had about a 1.5" dia hole in the top along with a foam gasket between the filter and cap nothing was being held by that little "tit" at the top of the cap plus the gasket was a large flat gasket. I put the new filter in the cap and it seemed to clip in ok and the top of the motorcraft filter has a hole for the "tit" to mate into. So the gasket difference really bothered me as the old one was swollen to a larger diameter than the recess it fits into in the bowl. I set the filter in the bowl and let it soak up some diesel and began screwing the filter cap back down. To the point the old gasket was sticking out a bit I crammed it in, tightened a bit more and crammed a bit more till it sat back into the recess like it should. I tightened the cap down and it seemed ok. I was nervous that things weren't right so I called Advanced back. They say only one part #. So, come to find out, NAPA and others sell the cap with the filter. I bought the motorcraft part thinking I had all stock parts. I fired up the truck and it started much better and revved easier. It doesn't seem to be leaking at all so I think I am ok, but I was worried. I want to keep this truck a while and want to maintain it right.


Thanks for listening
Carey

 

I came across the same thing with my motorcraft filter. I used the old squared off gasket too. Mine was a little big too, stuck it in the freezer for a bit then it was fine. Actually I've used it for the last few changes. They say the new beveled gasket works, I just never tried it, didn't like the way it looked. As long as its not leaking, you should be fine.

Did you clean the screen in the fuel bowl when you were in there?

 

no, it was getting dark so I had to button it up.. It's the one on the side of the regulator in the plastic housing right?

 

Yes, just down about an inch on the drivers side. You can just take a qtip and take the cotton off and clean it with that.

 

kinda tight there to get the plastic housing off. gonna have to have more time to mess with it.... I want to remove and clean thoroughly. I also need to check fuel press and possibly shim the reg.. I put in the 10k mod but got quite a lope at idle so I removed it till I got more things cleaned/inspected. I got a call from my local "big truck" service place that my 6637 filter is in. So i need to get that on too.

 

You can clean it from inside the fuel bowl, but if you wish you can remove the regulator and give it a thorough cleaning. If you do that you should order a set of orings for the bowl/regulator. Dieselorings.com is a great site for the orings if you go that way.

 

Actually the plastic housing has a screen/filter, and between the FPR and the housing there are another "SCREEN" which is that Darin is refering to. IMHO

 

Thanks Jose

 

Ok, now I am frustrated. After I replaced the filter the truck ran great. I just made a 40 mile round trip with my camper on hauling my wifes horse trailer. The truck ran thorugh a lot of fuel getting the 20 miles to our destination. When we got there I smelled raw fuel bad. Turns out that the rear tank lines are leaking again, dripping badly ( I found they were leaking a while ago and quit using the tank). We have only been using the front tank, but after using 3/8 tank in 20 miles I knew something was wrong. I looked and it and saw it was leaking. So, I cycled the selector switch and drove straight home. Used 1/8 tank this way round. I get home and the massive leak has stopped and only the left over diesel was dripping now, not like before. What gives? Should I cycle the switch every once in a while to keep it working?