Notices
2017 - 2022 Super Duty The 2017-2022 Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Fuel filter change issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 10:06 AM
  #1  
redford's Avatar
redford
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Fuel filter change issue

I’ve been running the truck pretty hard the past few months, with trips to Georgia, Washington state and southern Indiana. I thought I’d get some maintenance done.

Oil change and filter, no problem
Air filter, again no problem, although it looked terrible. I’m surprised the truck wasn’t showing a restriction.

Fuel filters. I must have done something wrong. I grabbed a 5 gallon bucket, slid it under the truck, then opened the water separator valve. I let that drain while I changed the filter on the engine. Upper filter change went well.

As I slid back under the truck I noticed my bucket now had about $20 worth of diesel fuel in it. I was expecting about 2 quarts max, not 5 gallons. What was my error here?
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 10:42 AM
  #2  
4wd6.7L's Avatar
4wd6.7L
Lead Driver
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
Uh oh, that's the same method I use, drain lower while replacing top filter. I thought maybe doing it that way helped avoid the siphoning issue that some experience.....I guess not. I haven't had to try any other way yet, but some advice and techniques I've read that work are to have 1/4 tank or less, or open the lower filter housing before too much drains out.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 10:43 AM
  #3  
redford's Avatar
redford
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 4wd6.7L
Uh oh, that's the same method I use, drain lower while replacing top filter. I thought maybe doing it that way helped avoid the siphoning issue that some experience.....I guess not. I haven't had to try any other way yet, but some advice and techniques I've read that work are to have 1/4 tank or less, or open the lower filter housing before too much drains out.
That might be the issue. I did have a full tank.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 12:05 PM
  #4  
4wd6.7L's Avatar
4wd6.7L
Lead Driver
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
Originally Posted by redford
That might be the issue. I did have a full tank.
Did it stop, or did you decide to close the valve and do it another time?
Opening the bottom filter housing is supposed to work no matter what, it does increase the mess.

I had at least a half tank last fuel filter change, it stopped at around a half gallon, maybe less. I am worried that one of these times I too will have to deal with the siphoning.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
redford's Avatar
redford
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 4wd6.7L
Did it stop, or did you decide to close the valve and do it another time?
Opening the bottom filter housing is supposed to work no matter what, it does increase the mess.

I had at least a half tank last fuel filter change, it stopped at around a half gallon, maybe less. I am worried that one of these times I too will have to deal with the siphoning.
I stopped it. My bucket was about an inch away from overflowing.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 07:35 PM
  #6  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
when I do my lower one, I open the yellow valve and then start loosening the bolts. Once you get the bolts loosened enough to open it up it will break the suction and quit draining.

I do the lower then the upper.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2023 | 07:47 PM
  #7  
Rich1961's Avatar
Rich1961
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 605
Likes: 317
Club FTE Silver Member

I just did my fuel filters last week with about a half tank of fuel. Opened the drain valve, took a sample right away, then let it drain into a 5 gallon bucket until it stopped. Maybe a quart/quart and a half of fuel and it stopped. Loosened the bolts and dropped the filter cover and filter element. Replaced element and gasket and bolted it back up, then primed the system about 10 times. Then moved up to the upper filter and replaced it. Primed the system again with 10 cycles to make sure it was primed completely. This was the first filter change for my 2022 (16,500 miles). This is how Arod does it so I figured I'd do it the same. Only thing I changed was doing one filter at a time compared to my previous 2019 6.7 and I removed and replaced both filters before priming the system.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 11:35 AM
  #8  
redford's Avatar
redford
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by senix
when I do my lower one, I open the yellow valve and then start loosening the bolts. Once you get the bolts loosened enough to open it up it will break the suction and quit draining.

I do the lower then the upper.
Thanks Scott.
I’ll try that next time.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 04:28 PM
  #9  
Ltngdrvr's Avatar
Ltngdrvr
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,480
Likes: 4,973
Yeah, this seems to be something that happens on some of the pre-2020 trucks, never had any similar issue with my 22.
Open drain, drain into a small jug, never drains more than about a quart or so when it quits.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 07:34 PM
  #10  
4wd6.7L's Avatar
4wd6.7L
Lead Driver
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
Originally Posted by Ltngdrvr
Yeah, this seems to be something that happens on some of the pre-2020 trucks, never had any similar issue with my 22.
Open drain, drain into a small jug, never drains more than about a quart or so when it quits.
Might be a challenge to find them, but there have been posts from 2020+ owners who experienced the same thing.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 07:42 PM
  #11  
Pugga's Avatar
Pugga
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
Originally Posted by senix
when I do my lower one, I open the yellow valve and then start loosening the bolts. Once you get the bolts loosened enough to open it up it will break the suction and quit draining.

I do the lower then the upper.
I'm impatient, so this is the method I use also. I don't wait for it to stop draining so I've never experienced the siphon issue.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 09:33 PM
  #12  
muisejt's Avatar
muisejt
Tuned
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 275
Likes: 156

 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 09:41 PM
  #13  
4wd6.7L's Avatar
4wd6.7L
Lead Driver
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
Originally Posted by muisejt
What do they define as "early build" and what is the context of that screen shot? My 2019 owners manual specifies 2017 as the only year requiring removal of a fuel line at the in tank fuel pump as a first step to a fuel filter service.


 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2023 | 10:11 PM
  #14  
MIKE1646's Avatar
MIKE1646
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 803
Likes: 22
From: Florida
I did mine with 50 miles to empty and less than a quart of fuel drained.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2023 | 10:11 AM
  #15  
acdii's Avatar
acdii
Lead Driver
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,978
Likes: 4,055
Did my 19 over the weekend, only got what the volume of that housing holds. What I didn't do and maybe the issue here is the top filter. I did that one first, then did the lower one. I didn't do them at the same time, so maybe by removing the top filter while the drain was opened, caused a back flow problem.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:29 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE