Fuel Filter Change Question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
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Fuel Filter Change Question
Last night I changed my fuel filters for the second time. X has 48,000 miles. So I started draining the frame filter while I changed the engine one. Then I let it drain while I changed the spark plugs in my outboard motor and take it for a test drive. A total of about 30 minutes. I came back to change the frame filter and my 7 quart drain pan was full of nice pretty green ULSD fuel and actually had run over into the driveway. Now the last time I did this that did not happen. I did loosen the fuel filler cap before I let it drain since I had just stopped the vehicle thinking there may be some residual fuel tank pressure. What did I do wrong?
DSMMH
DSMMH
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
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Originally Posted by DSMMH
Last night I changed my fuel filters for the second time. X has 48,000 miles. So I started draining the frame filter while I changed the engine one. Then I let it drain while I changed the spark plugs in my outboard motor and take it for a test drive. A total of about 30 minutes. I came back to change the frame filter and my 7 quart drain pan was full of nice pretty green ULSD fuel and actually had run over into the driveway. Now the last time I did this that did not happen. I did loosen the fuel filler cap before I let it drain since I had just stopped the vehicle thinking there may be some residual fuel tank pressure. What did I do wrong?
DSMMH
DSMMH
Sometimes I get a lot (not as much as you) and sometimes very little. Might depend on fuel pressure or how soon you drained it after driving it? I just let it drain for 2 minutes and all water and sediment should be out (HFCM drain plug) that is. I then change the filter then move on to the engine mounted filter.
My only question is that with 48,000 miles on your truck and you claim to have changed the filters twice... why not sooner. The book calls for every 15,000 miles, so you should have done it on or before 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles and 45,000 miles (3 times not twice based on total mileage)!!!!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 200
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I parked my truck in backyard on slight incline, changed the upper filter first, then loosened brass drain plug on frame rail filter. Got about a cup of fuel in bucket. Changed the filter with little mess at all on my frame rail. My tank was nearly full when I changed the filters. Filters had never been changed (just bought truck with 16700 miles). Both filters were dark red and obviously had trapped sediment.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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I believe that parking on a slight incline is a big help. Good tip!
I also wanted to respond on the fuel filter change interval .............
Below is a Broadcast Message from Ford:
Factory fuel filter marks:
Starting in May 2006 the primary fuel filter in the frame mounted fuel pump is now marked with an "FF". This mark is present on filters installed at the factory on either the truck or a replacement fuel pump. This will identify filters that have not been replaced at the recommended intervals. Broadcast Message 6953.
At a minimum you should make sure your first fuel filter change is within the recommended interval. You don't want to take the truck to a dealership w/ the original still in when you are PAST the 15,000 mark.
To be conservative, 10,000 mile intervals seems wise!
I also wanted to respond on the fuel filter change interval .............
Below is a Broadcast Message from Ford:
Factory fuel filter marks:
Starting in May 2006 the primary fuel filter in the frame mounted fuel pump is now marked with an "FF". This mark is present on filters installed at the factory on either the truck or a replacement fuel pump. This will identify filters that have not been replaced at the recommended intervals. Broadcast Message 6953.
At a minimum you should make sure your first fuel filter change is within the recommended interval. You don't want to take the truck to a dealership w/ the original still in when you are PAST the 15,000 mark.
To be conservative, 10,000 mile intervals seems wise!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: Douglas County, GA
Originally Posted by chas111
I parked my truck in backyard on slight incline, changed the upper filter first, then loosened brass drain plug on frame rail filter. Got about a cup of fuel in bucket. Changed the filter with little mess at all on my frame rail. My tank was nearly full when I changed the filters. Filters had never been changed (just bought truck with 16700 miles). Both filters were dark red and obviously had trapped sediment.
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Mountain Pass
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
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Thanks for the replies!
It could have been an aberation. I went out soon after the "big drain" incident to check for water from my own personal designed drain valve and I got about 1/2 a teaspoon of water and very little fuel. Well, I will see what happens next time and may have to consider installing a cutoff valve prior to the filter.
BBC - I went back and checked my maintenance records and I misspoke. I changed the filters at 15,000, 31,000 and 48,000. My X was a CA buyback with 13,000 miles on it when I bought it. The first thing I did was change the oil and all of the filters.
DSMMH
BBC - I went back and checked my maintenance records and I misspoke. I changed the filters at 15,000, 31,000 and 48,000. My X was a CA buyback with 13,000 miles on it when I bought it. The first thing I did was change the oil and all of the filters.
DSMMH
How the h**l is Fayetteville?I haven't been back there in about 2 years.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
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I know I'm resurrecting a VERY old thread, but I just got a truck that was having problems when towing large loads... would run out of power and then barely be able to keep 20mph. My customer spent $10,000 at the local dealership trying to have this fixed... my first thought was to check fuel pressure and filters, pressure wasn't great without a load so I pulled the filters which were in terrible shape. What really surprised me was the "FF" on the frame mount filter... is this really the markings that appeared on the original factory filter? This truck has about 100,000 miles on it!
Can anyone confirm that this is the FF marking that indicates the original filter?
Can anyone confirm that this is the FF marking that indicates the original filter?
