Just went in for an oil change the the Ford service guy said I was due to have the fuel filter changed - said it would be about $50 installed - seems a little steep - anyone changed it themselves, and is is in a hard place to get to??

-superV10
'02 SD V10 SB CC Lariat 3.73

 

its not that hard.You need a special tool though.Auto zone or any other parts store that rents tools will have the tool.Its only a couple bucks.

 

These filters are easy to get to. Crawl under the truck on the driver's side, it should be bracketed to the inside of the frame rail, approximately at the back of the cab. They pop right out of the bracket fairly easily. Getting the old filter off the fuel line can be quite a trick though. It was a pain in the rear getting the one off of my '92 (my '01 looks to be the exact same thing) but then when I got it off and saw how the system worked I could see how when done right it wouldn't be that tough. Just ask the guys at the parts store where you get the tool to show you a fuel line with the spring loaded prongs in there so you know what you are trying to do to get that filter off, then the job is pretty easy. It's one of those things that once you figure it out, you never will pay someone $50 dollars to do it for you again.
Good luck, if you can't figure it out, let me know.

 

I found it a little tricky to get the old filter out of the bracket...but I would do it myself again. When you do it be sure to wear safety goggles and wear old clothes because you'll get gas everywhere.

NO SMOKING!

 

Been there, done that. Just like everyone sez, it is pretty easy provided you have the filter removal tool and some old clothes and SAFETY GLASSES. The glasses are a must. Don't ask why, just trust me. My new nickname is "ole one eye." Just kidding about that but I did get one small splash of gas in my eye. Learn from my stupidity.

Anyway it is really easy to change. Totally not worth the $50 UNLESS your mechanic spots another problem while under your rig. That has happened to me before. Mechanic spotted a brake line with some wear on it. Obviously he replaced it and saved me a TON of hassle.
Ok Off my soap box.

Good luck with the filter change. By the way, mine cost me about $6.8x from AutoZone.

Big

2000 F250 SD SC 5.4L Gasser
4.10s 4x4 L/S rearend
Western 7'6" plow
White with parchment cloth

 

Did you guys relieve the fuel line pressure at the fuel rail before you popped the filter line? Just curious.

 

I didn't, I know there was a way to do it, but I couldn't quite figure it out. The fuel just ran out of the hose for me, didn't spray all over, but there was a good bit of it.

 

There is a port on I believe the rear side of the fuel rail toward the firewall. Looks like a valve stem with a cap on it, used for checking fuel pressure. I would think there is a kit available to hook up to this valve to accomplish the task. I'd sure like to have one before spraying fuel out in the engine compartment.

 

The filter is underneath the truck, attatched to the frame rail. I just kept a container under the line and caught the fuel as it ran out. The only thing for it to fall on would have been me or the asphalt driveway, and gasoline isn't very good for asphalt so I caught it in a drain oil pan. The filter is not in the engine compartment so that's not an issue. Even if you release the pressure, gas will drain out of the line when you remove the filter. It's at about the lowest point of the system. And gas doesn't run past the pump out of the tank either, only what is in the line runs out. Somebody told me if it sits for a few hours before you change it, there won't be significant pressure. Don't know if that's true or not but mine didn't spray all over. Just ran out of the line.

Also, when you start it the first time, turn the key on for a few seconds and listen to the line repressurize before restarting it, it sill start well that way.

 

Is this the tool you guys are talking about?

Disconnect Tool (3/8 inch)
310-D004 (D87L-9280-A) or equivalent

I can't figure how to post a pic but it kinda looks like a little cylinder that clamps around the line and then you push it into the coupling to release the spring.

99 F250SD EC 5.4L 3.73 285 BFG/ATs...
99 Expy EB 5.4L

 

>Is this the tool you guys are talking about?
>
>Disconnect Tool (3/8 inch)
>310-D004 (D87L-9280-A) or equivalent
>
>I can't figure how to post a pic but it kinda looks like a
>little cylinder that clamps around the line and then you
>push it into the coupling to release the spring.
>
>99 F250SD EC 5.4L 3.73 285 BFG/ATs...
>99 Expy EB 5.4L

I'd say that's it.

I seem to remember that a person could relieve fuel pressure by pulling the fuel pump fuse and then crank the engine for a couple of seconds to diisipate any residual fuel pressure.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-14-03 AT 10:23 PM (EST)]>Is this the tool you guys are talking about?
>
>Disconnect Tool (3/8 inch)
>310-D004 (D87L-9280-A) or equivalent
>
>I can't figure how to post a pic but it kinda looks like a
>little cylinder that clamps around the line and then you
>push it into the coupling to release the spring.
>
>99 F250SD EC 5.4L 3.73 285 BFG/ATs...
>99 Expy EB 5.4L


I got an assortment at Autozone. They are plastic\nylon and each size is a different color. There were 6 different sizes in the package. The picture below is not the ones I have, but similiar.

Matt

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/media/LIS-37000.jpg

2002, F250 SD, SC, 8' Bed, V10, 3.73 LS, Arizona Beige, ICI Stainless Step Bars, Truxedo Tonneau, Prodigy Brake Control, Flowmaster 40

 

>I seem to remember that a person could relieve fuel pressure
>by pulling the fuel pump fuse and then crank the engine for
>a couple of seconds to diisipate any residual fuel pressure.

I've heard that too, I didn't do it, but I have since been told that it works.

 

Hmm...I've always been told just to uncap the tank to release pressure in the fuel lines. A bit of gas will still leak, only whats left unpressurized in the lines though.

 

When I changed mine I relieved the pressure at the fuel rail (only a few drops came out) and I still had gas leaking out at the filter (but no spurt when I cracked the seal).

Funny story about relieving the pressure...
The relief/pressure-test port is a Schroeder (like tires) fitting on the back passenger side of the V10. I reached back and unscrewed the little plastic cover. There was a small rubber plug in the valve so I took it out and immediately dropped it. CRAP! So I reach in the truck and grab a little flashlight, a 2 AA battery mag light. I then proceed to shine the light around to try and find the rubber plug. Well ya'll can see this one coming, but, I dropped the flashlight! CRAP! The light was turned on when I dropped it and now it has rolled in between the V banks of the V10 and I can BARELY see the light it is putting out! So I got another flashlight, with a wrist lanyard, and went in search of the parts. Well, already long story short, after about 30 mins. of laying on top of my engine (1 advantage of only weighing 150 lbs.) I was able to get my flashlight. It had rolled into an oval cutout about 2 inches wide, 8 inches long and 2 inches deep. It almost seems like Ford cast it into the block just to catch (and eat) stuff you drop on the engine. Sorry for the long post. Be careful. The V10 tries to eat flashlights.