Tips On Draining Frame Mounted Fuel Filter
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More Turbo
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Tips On Draining Frame Mounted Fuel Filter
~34k on the clock and the filters have been only changed by the dealer thus far. The fuel level is at 66% per Ford Pass. I bought the latest part# and am planning on doing this change asap. I am hesitant since I do not have the capacity to deal with the diesel that drains out and want ensure I minimize it as much as possible. I have read and watched several YT videos that some have had issue with it draining continuously and am looking for tips for the best possible outcome.
TIA
TIA
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
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what he said^^^ if you have a larger catch pan, use it. the splatter of diesel is pretty large so if you care about that. The drain is plastic and has a little bit of a weird twist/pop out to it. I never broke mine, apparently it's easy to break, just dont go incredible hulk on it. sometimes the filter assembly likes to get stuck and you gotta yank on it harder than you think you should to get it to release (lol)
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More Turbo
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what he said^^^ if you have a larger catch pan, use it. the splatter of diesel is pretty large so if you care about that. The drain is plastic and has a little bit of a weird twist/pop out to it. I never broke mine, apparently it's easy to break, just dont go incredible hulk on it. sometimes the filter assembly likes to get stuck and you gotta yank on it harder than you think you should to get it to release (lol)
On the topic of catch pan I have a pretty good size ice fishing sled - gave that up long time ago lol, that I have used for ~20 years for oil changes and radiator flushes. High side walls and still slides under the truck.
For the spigot I upgraded that to the SPE version after watching a YT video or reading about how the plastic ones potentially break. Also went to the locking fuel/def caps as well.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: France
x2 with that, and give the threads a good cleaning before putting it back together. Mine were full of sand, but it screwed up easily right up to the stop afterwards.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Wisconsin
And also...as you loosen the drain valve counter clock wise, push up slightly to aid in twisting it loose and (I think) 1/4 turn is all that's needed to drain.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Western NY
~34k on the clock and the filters have been only changed by the dealer thus far. The fuel level is at 66% per Ford Pass. I bought the latest part# and am planning on doing this change asap. I am hesitant since I do not have the capacity to deal with the diesel that drains out and want ensure I minimize it as much as possible. I have read and watched several YT videos that some have had issue with it draining continuously and am looking for tips for the best possible outcome.
TIA
TIA
Just thought I'd clarify this because of the title of this thread...
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2023
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Color me confused but only the 11 to 16s have the frame mounted filter, the diesel fuel conditioning module. I see you have a 2021 so you have the new and current design of the primary filter mounted on the front of the fuel tank... all the guys responding to you have the new Alumina Dutys like you do, except Euroman who has the same gen truck as myself.
Just thought I'd clarify this because of the title of this thread...
Just thought I'd clarify this because of the title of this thread...
. Not sure where is attached as there is a provision for it near the tank. I would assume it is attached to the frame but could be mounted off a strap that holds the tank.
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FTE Legend
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From: Western NY
No worries, just wanted to clarify is all. Good luck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Walpole, MA
Yeah I was afraid of this as my truck is not a DD and I am getting ready for my ~1600 mile trip to Keys for the winter. The thought of that fuel in the tank that high would result in me doing it down there and that would not be ideal as I have fewer options to get rid of any fluids. I typically end up changing the oil down there in the spring for ride back up here and that is a pia.
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More Turbo
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The water separator is actually on the suction side of the in tank pump, yep you have more pipe than the NYC's Metro on top of your fuel tank. Personally, I have a clear jar I drain the first 10-12 ounces of fuel into to inspect for water. After than crack the bolts on the filter base and that is enough to break the vacuum on filter and stop the flow.
I have to think that when dealer does the changes they deal with tanks that are more than a 1/4 full. So they must have a way of getting around the suction. Also I am a freak about checking for water on a regular basis with glass jars. I belive the higher the level of fuel in the tank the better.
Of the larger glass jars I have used that were not full to the brim I have noticed the fuel changing to darker color after a couple months as I keep the samples to compare them. The smaller jars that are nearly full of fuel after a sample are typically the same color as when they were initially drained months later.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
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I have a deisel generator and even with the most complex mix of additives the fuel will turn tea color after 6 months.
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More Turbo
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When the fuel turns that color in your generator do you drain it and refill?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
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Samples after a couple months they will start to turn. As I said earlier my truck sits a lot as it is not a DD. I check the fuel at monthly intervals if not more and keep the samples to compare to the new sample.
When the fuel turns that color in your generator do you drain it and refill?
When the fuel turns that color in your generator do you drain it and refill?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
I just did mine last week with a full 34 gallon tank. Fuel level does not matter.
Drain the under cab filter first. Just crack the drain petcock open with a pan under it. You'll get about 1 quart or so of fuel. It looks like a lot is coming out, but really it isn't. Just let it drain. Should take less than 5 minutes. Then change that filter. After it's buttoned up, then do the under hood filter.
Doing it in that order keeps it from doing a syphon effect and continuously draining fuel.
Drain the under cab filter first. Just crack the drain petcock open with a pan under it. You'll get about 1 quart or so of fuel. It looks like a lot is coming out, but really it isn't. Just let it drain. Should take less than 5 minutes. Then change that filter. After it's buttoned up, then do the under hood filter.
Doing it in that order keeps it from doing a syphon effect and continuously draining fuel.
