Well did my first fuel filter change, second for the truck. Not too difficult but I did run into some issues, so here they are if you happen to have the same.

When I went to remove WIF connection I barely moved it and one of the 3 small tabs that hold the base on broke. (I think it was already cracked) Found that the base slips off and there are 2 small springs in there to make sure you maintain a connection. Anyway dealership had to order a WIF sensor, so I was able to put the old one back on and a little superglue to secure the tab since it hadn't broken off completely. It also did take some time to figure out that the WIF sensor screws into the housing for the fuel filter. (Parts department had no clue and the diagrams they had were not much help)

Now with new WIF sensor in hand, started again. Unscrewing the housing was very tight at first but came off fine. Did have to turn almost 4 times before I thought the shutoff closed. Didn't hear any sound when it did.

Then went to replace the WIF sensor. Just screws in and has a small o-ring to seal it. This plastic on plastic is a pain. Screwed it in by hand then went to give it a small tweak with a wrench and I heard a snap, thought I cracked the housing. Took it back out and couldn't find anything so I screwed it back in again almost all they way by hand and gave it a little less of a tweak with the wrench. ( I was worried about air getting in but it seemed lined up the same way as the old one.)

The filter itself didn't look too bad. Nothing growing on it. Only found a couple of the small metal flakes. Haven't cut it open yet.

Putting the housing back on I was concerned about cracking it also. I spoke to one of the mechanics when I was checking on the WIF sensor. He said that the biggest problem they have seen is that people screw the housing on too tight and crack it. On another note he said he did one and felt it hit the stop, took the truck out for a test drive and it died. Found that he had just barely hit the stop and needed to make 1 more complete turn. Air had gotten in so it died. I was able to see the stop to make sure I was on all the way.

The filter on top of the engine wasn't difficult either but I guess it would have helped to completley read the manual first to see that there are 2 tabs and it goes in then turns to lock. I don't recall having to do this to get the old one out so it may not have been put in correctly.

Did the 6 primes, actually I did 8 to be sure. Didn't notice any loud noises, just the flowing of fuel and the quiet hum of the pump. Started right up.

I will let you know how the filters look when I get to cutting them open.

 

I use a strap wrench on the frame filter housing now. The last time I did it the nut on the bottom broke clean off the housing.

 

It's not a hard project but these plastic parts can turn it into a nightmare quickly. Plus the dealers don't seem to stock the parts. Mine didn't have either the housing or the WIF sensor in stock. Not sure I would start this on a weekend or the day before a trip.

 

Strange a tech would say someone would screw it on to tightly when you can't do that due to the stop.

 

Its just a small plastic tab. I think they are breaking the tabs off.

 

I just had my dealer do my first fuel filter service at 14,200 miles. I brought the old filters home to inspect. After removing the media from the filter I pulled apart the pleated media. My frame mounted filter had some crud in it. It was mostly little black particles, most likely plastic from the tank. There were also a number of small metallic particles that seemed to be magnetic.

My engine mounted filter was almost spotless. I found one shiny metal particle and that was it. I used 5x magnification to inspect.

 

I stopped doing the fuel filter myself.....I now just purchase the filters and supply them to the dealership to install at a cost to me of about 43.00 dollars. When I did my own fuel filter replacement on my 08 superduty...I had a issue with air trapped and could not start the truck....since then I just have the dealer do that service....I can be in and out in less than a hour.

 

I just finished my first fuel filter change as well. I installed rare earth magnets a while back when Darren found particles in his pleats. I'm pleased to say that my filters came out very clean (no residue, no algae) and there was nothing stuck to the magnets.

I know in Epic's video he mentioned over 3 full turns to get the check valve to engage on the sump removal. I went to 4. Even then, it took a bit for the sump to drain.

For record keeping purposes, I have kept the filters in ziplock bags in case there are any questions pertaining to my changing them and what was in them when I did.

Here are a couple of pictures:

 

My filter looks the same as yours.

 

I have seen some pictures of ones that weren't so nice. Some with algae growing on them.

 

That was probably mine (factory filters).
The two since then have been clean.