My 2011 F150 has its fuel filter in the gas tank and is apparently not serviceable...does anyone know if the absence of a serviceable fuel filter applies to other FORD trucks besides the F150s? I have a 2011 Escape also and wonder if it ever needs a fuel filter change??

 

It has a "fuel filter for life" as part of the Fuel Pump Module.

I wonder if the "fuel filter for life" concept was part of the industry-wide fuel system design change from a fuel pressure shunt regulator with return to tank system, to the returnless fuel system that has the PCM control the pump volume via switching the pump drive from 10 volts to 12 volts and back as needed.

This change from a return-type of fuel system to a returnless system was supposedly for a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions (fuel vapor).

The story goes that the previous system, the shunt-regulated method that bled fuel back to the tank as part of the pressure regulation method, warmed up the fuel in the tank. Because a portion of the fuel was cycled around from tank to underhood, where it picked up heat, then back to the tank. This warming of the fuel caused an increase in fuel vapors, which had to be handled by the charcoal canister.

The returnless system does not heat the fuel in the tank, since any fuel that goes through the pump goes on to the engine, never to return to the tank.

FWIW, I much prefer the return-type system for its simplicity, and ease of testing. It was easy to check fuel pressure at the Schrader valve on the fuel rail. No electronics involved with fuel pressure regulation or delivery, other than starting the pump.

The returnless method has electronics determining fuel pressure and controlling the pump speed. And no place to easily check pressure. Have to disconnect the fuel hose to the rail, and insert a fuel line jumper that has a tee in it with a pressure gauge.

Progress... harumph!