The fingers can be replaced if you damage them. The parts dept where I work stocks them so I assume that most other dealers do too.

 

Yeah, those are the ones I was able to get at Sears. Made the job much easier.

I just loved laying on the ground and having a few drops of gas fall on me too!

 

Well, first off thanks for everyones help!

I finally got the fuel filter changed... The story...

I first looked under the truck to see sort of what size fuel filter disconnect tool I would need. I went to advance auto parts and bought the last one they had. It says on the box "For all ford, lincoln, and mercury vehicles." And it looked like it would fit. So yea I went home jacked it up as high as I could and started to work. Took off both the saftey clips and then realized the disconnect tool was too big . How did I know I was going to run into something. I took it back to advance and the guy there almost starting like telling me "ugh are you sure it doesn't fit, I have never heard that before... I know it fits actually, it is for a ford!" I was like are you kidding me, believe me it doesn't fit, can I have a refund. the fuel filter tool only went to size "D". I heard on here that you can find the right tool at seares, but it was closed so I had to wait another day! I went to seares, sure enough, The had it size "E" and "F". It is exactly what RacerGuy's picture looks like. So I went home and it didn't take me 15 minutes to get it off and new new fuel filter on. I had a little touble with one of the couplings but I got it all done.

I went for a test drive!!!!! I could tell a difference, I mean there was no dought about it. It felt a lot better! The engine had so much more power. It felt so good, I went home and pulled the old one fuel filter back out of the trash and, well, spent about.... 35 min tearing it open. lol. I had to see what was in it...
Well folks, please go home and everyone change your fuel filters, what I have seen can't be good.

I must had gotten bad fuel somewhere. The filter was black on the inlet side and light gary on the outlet side. Also the filter was thicker towards the outlet where fuel was rushing by and leaving behind the dirt and grime. I mean I know gas prices is high but dang... What is in this gas ... I bought the truck at 66,000 mi and now it is at 78,000 mi and I don't think from what I have seen in the fuel filter the ol' man that had it before me ever changed it.

So what would cause the fuel filter to be this clogged up? Think I need to check my fuel pump?

Bryan#50

 

Well I have found that a lot of folk 'fix' things but rarely perform preventive maintenance. Also it is not good to keep a low fuel tank, it tends to collect condensation where as a full tank does not. (equals to a gunky filter over time)

 

ALL4RD. On this count I am guilty as charged. I did most all the other maintanence, including tranny fluids and antifreeze, 4WD lube etc but I missed the fuel filter and the rear end fluids even though somewhere in my vacant mind I knew they needed to be done.

 

I'd like to change my fuel filter also...I read in the Chilton's manual to 'relieve the pressure in the lines' prior to disconnecting them. How do you do that? Open the gas cap???

Thanks for the info on the special tool found in this thread.

Cheers, Wm.

 

The way I did it was to disconnect the fuel inertia switch and then run the engine for a minute. There are other ways.


The fuel inertia switch is located under the passenger side kick panel. Have a flashlight ready so you can identify it.

kw

 

If you have never pulled your kick panel, don't pull it in toward the cab (it just bends the panel). You should pop up the door thread panel (the panel you step on getting in the truck) pull the door seal at the kick panel back just enough to then pull the kick panel straight back. Then it all just snaps back together. While you have the tread panel up you may find that loose change you lost last week...or ugly stuff you didn't want to see.

 

Thanks (again) guys...R & R'd the fuel filter according to info found here (just finished actually out here in CA). After disconnecting the switch and running the engine, I used the small plastic tool and had no problems. One thing I would add for someone doing this for the first time is to use the disposable end caps that come on your new filter to immediately plug the old one after removing each line.

Earlier I also installed a new rear ABS sensor and that seemed to be the cause of my constant dash light (I've owned the truck now for just three weeks or so).
Just as racerguy advised, the light went out as soon as I drove it out of my garage...awesome!

Cheers, Wm.

 

Good to hear Wm

 

The easiest way to get the pressure off the fuel line is to start it with your "wallet" key. The one without the chip in it, as soon as the engine stumbles I shut it off, theres a little pressure left but not much. Make sure your "chip" key is far away from the truck.

 

Yea I was dissapointed that my new filter didn't come with dust covers on the end of it. I got soaked with Gas before I was done.

kw

 

bvoncannon: that black stuff you mentioned was carbon "dust" from the pump's electric motor's brushes. fuel runs thru the armature & brushes to keep it cool. that's what i saw on the wife's G.Marquis, i couldn't believe the black stuff in the bottom of a glass jar, [that i drained the remaining fuel in] I know one of the engineers at Walbro Corp. where Ford pump modules are made. i really didn't think about it until he said, what else do you think keeps the motor cool?"
this was at around 50-60k. glad to be of some help...paul

 

That is a great tip. I just changed my filter this morning. Unfortunately, my new Motorcraft filter did not have end caps, so I forged ahead anyway and received an unwelcome gasoline shower.
Another tip is to secure the fuel lines up when they are removed. They will also drain.

In hindsight, I would have bought a two foot piece of clear vinyl tubing with 5/16" ID. After disconnecting one side, attach the tube to the filter and let it drain a little. Then disconnect the other and of the filter and connect the other end of the tubing.

 

paul812: Wow, never really thought about that. Yea I guess that is where is does come from. Never really thought about how you would keep a fuel pump cool. Awesome!

Franklee: Smart thinking!

Never thought changning a fuel filter could be such a good thing. I might just change my whole fuel system... Ok Im kidding!!!!!

Bryan.