I bought the wife a 2009 Escape when they came out. Its been a great little car and the engine runs like a little sewing machine. The only drawback I can think of is the absence of an actual fuel filter. Not a very bright Idea from the designers. Supposedly Ford put a "permanent" filter in the tank. I don't know who the genius designer was but they sure do sell an awful lot of fuel injectors as a result. I have put number six injector in 3 times in the last year. It just happens to be the first one off the feed side of the fuel rail. I actually looked at the last one and could see the debris in the fuel rail side of the injector while under magnification. Well I've had enough. With a bit of research and a quick purchase on Amazon the new fuel line now contains a fuel filter. This engine has 260,000 miles and this is the only issue its ever had.

I have a 2005 mustang with a 4.0L V6 and I happen to have a spare filter so it got installed and it seems to run perfect. Since the Escape is only a 3.0L the filter should not be an issue. The nylon fuel lines are pretty easy to work with and now I can change the filter as just another normal maintenance.

My list of parts were as follows:
1-Dorman 800-802 3/8 straight connectors
1-Dorman 800-084 5/16 straight connectors
1-Dorman 800-086 3/8 90 degree connectors
1-Dorman 800-075 10ft 3/8 nylon fuel line
1-Motorcraft FG1083 filter

The 5/16 connector is for the tank line, everything else is 3/8 and the filter is all 3/8. The piece of 3/8 rubber hose is installed as an abrasion guard. Just slit it and slip it over the nylon fuel line. Use a couple of clamps snugged up to keep it in place. Its a simple solution that will hopefully keep the injectors from getting crap in them.


Fuel filter installed 2009 Escape

 

Thanks for the details and pics of your idea!

The driver of no replaceable fuel filter was probably manufacturing cost reduction. Integrating different functions into one device/component.

But as an owner and maintainer of everything here, I would prefer a replaceable filter, too!

Although I have to say that integrating functions together tends to increase over-all reliability, vs. a multiplicity of components hooked together. (But I still prefer a replaceable filter )