You can, but you need to be prepared to have a means of plugging the fuel line from the tank.

 

I think there's a guide in the sticky Tech thread on this site.

 

I didn't think about that. I had drained my tank prior to doing this. So I did not have to worry about it. It should be easy to plug those lines though. Just take some tubing and place on the two lines from the tank and either pinch them off or route them up above the tank so they don't bleed down.

 

Maybe just drive it til it's low on gas, then park slightly uphill or on jackstands when you take it off. I don't recall this early in the morning what I did, or didn't have to do, when I replaced mine.

 

Some people have been fine while others have had fuel flowing. I think it depends how much is in the tank and if the truck is angled or flat, having the open end above or below the fuel top level.

 

Tried to mess with thing and failed miserably on two fronts.

1. I couldn't get the lines or plugs disconnected. I have no idea how to unplug these things, tugging on them doesn't work. I do have the tool but don't know how to use it.

2. I tried unscrewing the cap on the side with a 7 hex and seem to have stripped it. That cap wouldn't budge.

Where do I go from here?

Remember I have next to no mechanical experience....

 

Oh my. You may be hosed now.

The tool is a bit different to use, the way it works, but every time I've done it I was able to get the lines off. The tool I have provides two sizes (maybe the other size is for the transmission lines). One size fits snugly around the line. You push it into the line connection fitting (if I recall, its goes in on the side farthest from the pump, but I have a bad memory). If the line doesnt' come off easily, it's probably because you don't have the tool pushed in far enough.

By "cap," I'm thinking you refer to the small plug on the water separator. If you've stripped it, and don't feel bad, you won't be the first person to do that, you're gonna have to take the entire pump off and drill a small hole just big enough to get a bolt extractor (what you'd use if you broke a bolt off on the engine) into it. If that doesn't work, and it might not if that plug is plastic, drill the hole bigger so that the part of the plug that remains is so thin/weak enough that you can break it to get it out. Then, you just gotta buy a new one. I believe there's an upgraded plug that is easier to get off.

FTR, I've never heard of anyone using either of those methods, but I can't think of another way to get it out.

The other option is to just buy a new pump for $100 or so.

 

I'll give it another try with the tool, mine has two sizes on it as well. Still can't figure out the wiring or the hoses on the other side.......

I haven't completely stripped the cap, once I noticed the key was turning and the cap wasn't I stopped. Is this indicative of any problem inside? Or just the cap being stuck from the outside?

 

not sure it indicates a problem other than the plug being junked up and stuck. It happens a lot from what I've read here. Mine have always come unscrewed.

 

He is correct. You can do a couple of things to fix that drain plug. You can go the easy out route. Or you can replace just the cover which includes the drain plug as found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...58E7JE990081KF

I upgraded mine to this easy to remove plug:
https://www.amazon.com/Ford-6E7Z-9C0...fcm+drain+plug

Either way though your first issue is getting either the entire hfcm unit off the truck or taking just the cover off the unit with it still in place. Either way though you have to remove all those fuel lines and plugs. The two fuel lines toward the back of the unit facing the fuel tank come off easily without any tools. If you look you will see a plastic white piece on one and a plastic blue piece on the other. You just push on those plastic pieces and they will allow the lines to release and you can pull them off. I usually push the button and slightly push the line toward the hfcm to take the pressure off the fitting and then slide it off the nipple. On the lines toward the front of the truck you must use the tool which I think is the smallest one. Place it over the fuel line. It should fit tight. Then just slide it toward the fitting and push it hard into the fitting. Then do the same thing while holding pressure on tool slightly try to move the line back toward the hfcm and then quickly pull the line the other way and slide it off. The tool just moves these metal tabs off the nipple so you can slide it off. It takes some practice but once you get one the second one will come off easily. Same with the plugs, they have little release buttons. Just push down on them to release them and slightly push the plug down while holding the button down and then pull up on it. It should just release. Then you can just remove those three nuts from the frame and work it off the truck.

 

Thanks for your detailed response, that's the information I needed. I took just pulling out the hoses way too literally. I'll give it another try when I get around to it.

Are you able to clean the inside just by taking the face off? I technically don't need to remove the plug at all if I can just take the face off to clean. It'd be more work but if my plug is stuck it may be worth the cost savings of buying a new face plate.

Probably will buy a plug for my oil pan first though, that's leaking

 

Oil pan is usually just a gasket issue.

When you take the cover off as long as the gasket stays in the channel it should be OK. If removed it will expand, and for that you can either get a new gasket kit or put the gasket in the sun to dry out. If you need a new gasket you might as well just get the new cover.

 

I assume it is the plug gasket. I cleaned it off, then sat there and watched as oil slowly seeped through the plug to cover the bolt before dripping to the ground.

Don't know if I should buy a new gasket or go for a Fumoto drain valve.

 

You can clean it without taking all the lines off. It would be tricky though as I don't think it will give you much room. I would not recommend it. As far as the oil drain plug for sure go with the fumoto drain valve. I have never spilled a drop since replacing mine with one. Makes oil changes way easier.

 

Just got back around to fiddling with this HFCM.

I'm able to get all the wires and hoses and stuff disconnected so I'm capable of taking the entire module off. However, I still don't know what to plug the fuel line with. Can I walk into autozone/walmart and find something? Quick search on the internet yielded nothing. I could be looking in the wrong place though.

Also I still can't seem to get the plug off, I've tried hammering a slightly larger key into the hole but I'm afraid of going too far and destroying the cap especially since I don't have a replacement yet. Is there a risk of busting the cap entirely? Should I not try this?

Assuming I get something to plug the fuel line it's feasible to just take the face off the module and empty it that way, right?