[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Jun-02 AT 01:27 AM (EST)]Does anyone out there know where the fuel filter is located?? I have a '98 F 150 Supercab with the 4.2 liter V-6 under the hood, I searched high and low, and for some reason I think I am going blind. Thanks

 

I have a 97 xlt 4x4 and the filter is under the driver door on the inside of the frame. Good luck

 

Same here..on my 4x4. Its worth the money and knuckle busting to have a oil change place do it. usually about 35 bucks where i get mine done. They even fought with it under the truck, the guy changing it even had a hard time, sounded like a bobcat attacking my underside.

 

If you change your fuel filter yourself be sure to use the small plastic (release)tools to undo the filter from the hoses. You can buy them at napa. The tool slides into the hose and releases the steel fingers that holds the filer on. They absolutely go in EASY and smooth , if you are forcing the tool then you are doing it wrong.
Don't try to take these filters off without the tool or you WILL gube up the whole thing.
:-X11

 

I noticed on my truck, whoever installed my new fuel filter did not re-attach the little fingers. The lines are just pushed back on. Is this dangerous? My filter looks after market, and it looks like it has no place for the fingers to grab????

 

Yeah, don't ask! The #$@%'s put the fuel filter under the skid plate ('97 F150 4WD) which has to be removed, and then you need a special tool, so he's right, let the quick lube joint do it, and you might hang around a bit to make sure they actually do do it.

 

I just replaced mine this week and it was a bear. Having been through it once, I think I could do it faster next time with what I've learned.

1). The plastic tool sucks. I could not get mine to unlock the coupling. Finally had to make another trip to the store to get the metal version shown in the manual (looks like an X). That one worked much better.

2). Tremendous pain getting the filter loose from the bracket. There are no fasteners, you just have to bend the bracket back and pull the filter loose at the same time. Finally figured out it was easier for me to use both hands bending the bracket sides away while someone else pulled the filter out.

3). Couldn't get the rear coupling to snap back on the new filter. This part took me longer than any other. I tried and tried and was just about to give up when I decided to give it one last big squeeze with all the strength my hands could give and it finally clicked into place. What a relief.

4). Those metal clips hanging from the lines go into the couplings as a safety device. The thought seems to be that they would keep the lines from popping completely off the filter under pressure if you started up without locking the couplings completely. This would effectively convert the resulting fuel leak from a stream, to a spray. Neither is desirable, and neither would happen if the couplings are properly locked in the first place.

 

So, it is a pain, all right. Let the "pro's" at the lube shop do it? NOOOO! There are no pro's at the lube shop. Either do it yourself or go to the dealership.

I had no problem with the cheapo tool but the metal one I had borrowed from a mechanic before was better, I admit. Some of the lines are more stubborn than others also. My friends 97 F150 sure took more convincing to give up its old filter.

Get a Motorcraft replacement while you are at it. I'd skip the parts store brand there.

George

 

Geoaigal - You've got a point about the "pros" at the lube shop, but I've got a pretty friendly, and more or less competant, bunch here, and - importantly - you can watch 'em do it.

Now how much do the bandits at the Ford dealer charge for the job? It is very important to note that the Ford dealer will remove your vehicle into the forbidden bowels of their "dealership" and not let you watch them do it - or not do it, as the case may be (re my earlier post about fraudulent spark plug changing at the Ford dealership).

And who were the geniuses at Ford who decided to place the fuel filter (and spark plugs!) in such a place? Changing fuel filters used to be an easy five minute job!

ww

 

Man,you guys sound pathetic!!! Its not that hard to change the fuel filter.Ive owned a 93 F150 that had the same filter,and changed it every time myself,with the plastic tool.Now i have a 97 F150 and use the same plastic fuel line release tool with no problems.Heres a tip for the next time you change it; the new filter comes with plastic slip on protectors;put one on the old filter ends as you pull off the lines;keeps fuel from leaking on you or anywhere else.Good luck!!!

 

FatF150 - Do you have the 4WD that first requires the removal of the skid plate in order to get at the fuel filter, which is then accessed from underneath? Big hassle. Why couldn't they just put it in the engine compartment?

 

So what,you have to do a little extra work by taking off the skid plate,and yes,i do lay on my back to replace mine.I guess i should have originally said,anyone who is not mechanically inclined or does not have patiance should have someone else replace the filter!!:-X23

 

>FatF150 - Do you have the 4WD that first requires the
>removal of the skid plate in order to get at the fuel
>filter, which is then accessed from underneath? Big hassle.
>Why couldn't they just put it in the engine compartment?


Not that Ford was smart enough to design it this way, but it is probably better for off-roading for the fuel filter to be protected by the skid plate. Fuel filters are not an item you need to service very often. Working with fuel under the hood is not the safest place to do so, that would be one possibility of it being placed else where. Also away from heat sources...I read somewhere that you should avoid refueling while the tanker is delivering fuel to the station, because pumping the gas into the holding tanks, stirs up any sediment, possibly transferring some of it to your vehicle.

 

Hi,

I have a 2000 F-150 and I want to change my fuel filter myself. I was wondering if there is a pressure release valve under the hood or something. I had a 1995 Z28 that spewed gas all over the place and I almost caught myself on fire because I had a drop light under the car. I didn't want to take that chance again, but I found the filter on my truck and it looks easy enough. What is that tool again? You said you can get it at Napa?

 

Yep, that's a lot of fun, lying on your back and unbolting the skid plate and then struggling with the special tool to squeeze off the special very hard to remove fuel filter.

It's a real hassle for the guys to do it a the joint I bring it to, and they practice doing that all the time, and they have plenty of room to stand up underneath.

JW, fuel filters DO need to be replaced routinely. For years I had vehicles with nice little old fuel filters, nice and accessible, right out there in the engine compartment, with nice simple ends that slid on and off the nice simple fuel lines with no special tools or struggles, and they never caused any problems. Just don't change 'em with the engine running!

So now they made an easy five minute job into a big hassle.

Most people don't do it themselves, and I'll bet you that a lot of "dealership" or jiffy joint fuel filter changes are just pretend.


ww