is there any trick to it? i don't wanna get hosed with diesel fuel when i twist the old filter off! i assume there will be some priming/cranking needed after the change?

thanks in advance!

 

There is no real trick to it. There is a metal tube on the front passengers side which you can put a piece of hose (3/8's or larger) to drain a few ounces of fuel in a container to prevent getting hosed or sloshing it on everthing. Just a few ounces is all that is needed. After taking the black Powerstroke cover off, on the backside of the filter housing is a yellow flipper valve to turn to drain the fuel. After replacing the filter turn the key on for 10 seconds for a couple of times is all that is needed to prime the new filter. It should start normally.

 

Once you have done this once it won't take more than 5 minutes to do. Here's what you do:

1. Open lid/remove plastic cover over fuel bowl (depending on year).

2. Open drain valve (to the left side at the bottom of the bowl) by pushing it to the left (back of the truck). You may want to attach a piece of 5/16" hose to the bottom of the drain so you can avoid a mess.

3. Unscrew the fuel bowl lid. You may need to use tools to loosen the lid, but I can usually get mine by hand. If I need to I can hook up my 1/2" socket wrench to the lid.

4. Remove the old fuel filter and o-ring (from the lid).

5. Close the drain valve on the fuel bowl.

6. This is optional. Fill the fuel bowl about 1/2 way with Standyne Lubricity Formula or a similar product.

7. Install the new o-ring on the lid making sure to follow the instructions for the beveled edge. Lightly coat the new o-ring with fresh diesel fuel.

8. Attach the new fuel filter to the lid.

9. Install the new filter/lid and make sure it is on straight and tight.

10. Turn the key and wait for at least 10 seconds, especially if you didn't add any additive to the fuel bowl. This will allow the fuel bowl to fill before you start the engine.

You can use filters that come attached to the lid, but don't throw your lid away. You may need it if you go back to the other style filter.

BTW, use Racor filters. Same as Motorcraft without the extra cost.

 

thanks, just did it... probably the easiest filter i have ever changed! mine was pretty dirty, the truck idles noticeably smoother! it's a pretty significant difference-- wow!

 

I always prime diesel fuel filters with automatic transmission fluid. the fluid is high in detergent and helps to clean injectors etc. i was taught this trick by a friend who is a certified cat diesel mechanic and have been doing it to every diesel i work on for years with out any trouble. been doing it on my 1997 F-250 for over 160,000.

 

This seems pretty simple i wonder why the dealership just charged me $225.00 to change mine ($165 of it labor)

 

I just changed the fuel filter on my 99 PSD (Yes it is refreshingly easy!). I purchased the filter at O'Reilley's and it came with the cap attached!

 

YOU MEAN STEALERSHIP!!!

 

Save your old cap!!! Some fuel filters don't come with them and you must reuse the one that came off.

 

this is literally a 10 minute job at the most! i would be back, in thier face, demanding a refund and proof of the 2.x hours they charged you for!!!!

 

This subject comes up every now and then and personally I won't use ATF as an additive, although some people swear by it. This is a quote from Diesel Injection Service, a large, multi-location diesel shop in Texas:

 

I never have added it to the fuel. I just use it to fill the filter bowl. truck only uses half a quart or so and it takes a short time to burn it.

 

If you get some Stanadyne Lubricity formula, (from Diesel Injection Service) you can fill the bowl up with it. This stuff is designed to clean your injectors. If you buy a case, you can treat your fuel in the winter or all year. I have also heard good things about Diesel Kleen and I imagine you could do the same thing with it. I would not trust ATF to "clean" my injectors.

 

Quote:

This seems pretty simple i wonder why the dealership just charged me $225.00 to change mine ($165 of it labor)

WOW talk about a major rip off ........ $165 bucks for something I have pulled over to the side of the road and done in 5 minutes.

 

Fastg60,
Although there may be a quote on the receipt for labor (manhours) used to replace his filter, they always charge the total regardless of the time it "really" took to perform the job. This is to protect themselves (and sometimes us) from those jobs when something "unexpected" breaks and has to be replaced at "no charge". I've questioned many such repairs at my local dealership, but I always end up paying the job stated manhour labor rate (if not covered by an extended warranty or serfvice contract). My local ford dealership is divided "right between the eyes" so to speak, with the service and repair side doing everything they can to keep the customers they have and the sales\accounting\finance side seeming not to care. I've had repairs to my ford vehicles that would've resulted in many thousands of dollars. I had 2 windstar minivans with the 3.8L v6. I've never seen an engine in a minivan with this much power, rated at 200hp but definitely with more than that. This v6 is notorious for blowing the head gaskets but the indications that start to show the problem are things like the O2 sensor going bad. Twice I was covered for complete engine rebuilds. Yes I had puchased the extended warranty, but I have heard of those who weren't covered. $ 50 deductable- thats all. Every vehicle I've purchased I've asked the service manager what i should concern myself with and what i can do to protect myself against huge out of pocket expenses. I know he wouldn't let me pick his brain if he didn't consider me a good customer. When at the dealership, if after a repair you have questions or don't agree with something, get it straight with the service manager before you go to the cash window, once you show up there, invoice in hand, you're a dead man.

ps- My wife and I recently purchased a chevy monte carlo ss (kids are getting older, we don't always travel with all of them ("that's what the excursion is for"), she said she was "done" with minivans, tried to get her into a t-bird then a mustang) and during the purchase when I asked if i could speak to the service manager i was asked loudly-"What for"? Chevy doesn't even offer a maintenance plan on their vehicles- you can purchase oil & filter changes and that's it! This tells me a lot about their vehicles.

These are just my humble opinions, with these and a dollar, you can get a cup of coffee in most places.