I've learn quite a bit today, and I would like to pass along what I've learned to others, so they do not go through what I went through.

I own a 1999 Ranger with a 3.0L V6. I've been having a small power loss, over the life of the vehicle, and wanted to see if I could some things to liven it up.

I spent the last few days reading on this sight about the various ideas and things others have done. I even posted another topic, about a couple of issues I'm having, and asking for advice.

There are many here with some amazing advice, and It helped me greatly. I decided to clean my MAF and replace my fuel filter.

I printed out the guides and posts of some helpful guides here, complete with photo's and such. I went to Autozone and picked up a new filter, the neat looking scissor tool, some intake cleaner by STP. Then off to Officemax, to pick up some compressed air.

I get home and find both the MAF and fuel filter with ease, from the guides I have. I start with the fuel filter first, and disconnect the battery and fuse as the guide says. I open my gas cap, and crawl under the truck. No issues at all removing the plastic lock clip holding the hose leading to the engine. I used the tool the way it was descibed on the side leading to the tank, and had serious problems.

I can not seem to compress the lock spring, no matter how hard I try. After about 45 minutes of trying, I take a break, and decide to tackle the MAF.

After having some difficulty removing the Torxs bolt (due to the star pattern being filled with what appear to be appoxy), I had to run to Home Depot, to get replacement bolts. I cleaned to filaments, and replaced the MAF, with the new bolts (socket head). Success, and we are now about 2 hours in.

With renewed vigor, I try the fuel filter again. After about 30 minutes, the tool snaps from pressure of me trying to push the filter into the hose, the tool on the hose, compress the spring, and trying to pull the filter off. So, I head back to Auro-zone, get a replacement tool, along with several other styles (which include plastic rings, fancy anodized shaped ones, and of course, the scissor style). I head back to the truck, having spoke to the guy at the store, and try again.

An hour later, I've still not gotten this thing apart. The top of the old filter is damaged from my prying attemps, and I've zero success. After about another 45 minutes, I again snap the second tool. Now, i am beyond frustrated and regretting my choice to do this at all.

I switch to more brutal tactics now, as I'm frustrated beyond belief. Vise grips, needle nose pliers, still nothing. So, I take a hacksaw, and cut the tip of the old filter off, so I can see inside the aluminum piece that attaches to my hose.

After several attemps with all sorts of tools, I manage to use a current tester device, that is shaped like a screw driver with the aligator clips on the back end, and use the needle point to wedge into the corner of the spring piece, pry it out enough I can get my needle vise on it and rip it out. Of course, once thats gone, the fule filter tip falls out with ease.

I take a break, get some food, and head to Auto-zone, to get a replacement spring clip. I buy a set of three, which look a bit different, but I'm told thier for my truck, and even have my make and year on the box. I head home, happy to be almost done, and try to put the clip in.

Its too large to fit. The old clip is about 3/8 of a inch tall, if you layed it on the ground. The new clip is closer to 1/2 tall. So, when I try to put it in the coupling piece, it won't seat in past the lip, and thus, won't hold the new fuel filter in place.

So, I head back to Auto-zone with all the pieces, and am told the clips they have are all they have. I try Checker. Same result. I try Napa, same result. I try the Ford parts department, and am told I'll have to replace the aluminum coupling piece, that the spring fits into. This is about the same as what Auto-zone, Checker, and Napa told me.

By now, its 6pm, and everything is closing. I spent a grand total 9 hours (give or take, as some of that time was trying to calm down from being so frustrated along the way) trying to fix my truck in what I figured would be something faily easy.

Of course, over the course of the day, I kept trying to come on here and post my problems, hoping to get help, but it appeared the site was down. Add to that, I live in Phoenix, AZ, and its 111 degrees out today, and I'd say its been an F'ed up day, altogether.

So, I don't have a spring clip that will fit. I'm told by Napa, that I can cut the hose just before the coupling piece, and add a new, more modern version, but I'm concerned the hose will be too short, or that the new coupling piece is far to large to fit into that hose.

At this point, I wish I had simply taken my truck to a mechanic, and paid them to fix it. Please understand, I'm not a complete idiot. Its beena horrable, exhausting and long day. I'm pretty sure I remember everything, in this post. If I did something wrong along the way, I'd lvoe to hear it. If you have any suggestions on me fixing this so I can just get my truck back running, I swear I'll never work on any part of it again.

So please, be wary about what you try to do yourself. Sometimes, it really is better to pay a professional.

Irish in AZ.

 

I had the same experience with the fuel filter. Only difference is after that first 45 minutes of attempting, I gave up and left it. This post reminded me I still have a new fuel filter wating to go in the truck.

I'd love to know why these connections are different than the other Ford springlock fuel lines I have dealt with before. Mine is a 1999 if it matters.

 

Also 3.0's are bad to carbon up after awhile and they recomend a can of seafoam to degung it.

 

I had the same problem, trying to disconnect the fuel filter on my 99, using the scissor type disconnect tool.

One wouldn't work at all, the second one would only unfasten one side.

I finally bought a really simple looking one, from Advance Auto, made of a grey molded plastic by Dorman #800-009.

It fits 1/4, 5/16 & 3/8 dia lines.

It's slit so you flex it to slip over the line, then slide it into the connection to expand the circular spring enough to turn the fitting loose. It worked the first time for me!!!!!

I found the problem on the scissor type I had to be, that the molded snout wasn't long enough to fully reach into the fitting far enough, to expand the spring enough to cause it to pass over the swage on the filter, so it just woldn't turn loose.

The plastic tools snout was about 1/8 inch longer, so it was able to go in fully & release the circular spring & the line parted easily on the first try.

Some have had good success with the scissor type tool, others, like myself have a miserable time trying to use them.

It seems to me, maybe the Tiawan maker of the scissor type tool, doesn't have good enough control of the required part tolerance, to make their tool 100% workable!!!!!

SO, those of us with a 99 Ranger might do well to consider trying the Doorman tool also.

 

Oh Boy. I took my truck, a 2000 3.0 Flex Fuel to have several things including changing the fuel filter. I get ready to leave and I don't see me being charged for the fuel filter replacement. I go back in and they said they didn't change it because it is a flex fuel vehicle and they don't carry that filter. I was a little shocked but left and maybe they don't stock it. Then I was thinking that in 2000 most ford rangers 3.0 had the flex fuel. ???? Then I look up the part number and find that the same fuel filter is used on all the models for that year. Well I bought a new filter from autozone and after reading this thread I am wondering if they didn't want to change it due to the issues stated above. Now I have changed many fuel filters in fords and GMs and never had a problem. I thought I only needed a screwdriver to take the filter off the 2000. I assume the 99 and 00 are pretty much the same. I might just take my truck somewhere else and have them do it if it is that much trouble. Sometimes my routine,easy, fix turns into a full blown project.

 

Thanks Brizane for sharing your experience. I sympathize with your frustrations. As much as I want to do it, I have avoided changing the fuel filter so that I can avoid the frustration. Not a good reason, but I have seen many posts here with complaints around what should be a rather simple maintenance task. Pawpaw offers a good tip on shopping for the right tool and maybe with this specific knowledge I might get up enough gumption to tackle it. But for such an essential maintenance item, it really should be designed so that the effort is minimal.

Pat
99 XLT, SCAB, 3.0L FFV, M5OD, 4x4 w/ off-road

 

Man Brizane, I feel bad for you, I do hope it all works out.

When did they go to these "spring type" fuel filter clips? My old '94 just has a couple of plastic clips that the replacement filter came with.

Needle nose the clips out, or cut them in half with wire cutters and remove them, remove the lines, replace the filter, pop the two new clips in place. Job done in, eh maybe 5 minutes.

Guess sometimes "technology" has it's disadvantages as well.

 

Brizane, I should also say don't get discouraged from working on your truck.

 

the plastic set is the set to use.

spray the connections with power blaster a day before and 2 more times in between before you start to disconnect.

watch your eyes for fuel.

it will come out just do not think it will be a 5 minute job and you will be fine.

 

The same thing happened to me when I was trying to change the filter on my 03, I ended up bending the tool but not breaking it, and damaging the old filter before I gave up and called a mechanic buddy. It turned out there was this orange piece on the end of the clip that had to be pushed in and the filter just popped right out! No tool was needed at all, man was my face red.

 

I took my 04 4.0 to my mechanic and he changed the filter out and did a lube/inspection of all my undercarriage for about $35. Worked for me on price and it only took him about 20 minutes for the whole job and I was across the street at the sports bar enjoying myself while it was done.

 

that's cheating.

 

Oh....nobody told me the rules of this game LOL!

 

The original post has to be the story of my life... Everything is like that for me, i'm just used to it by now.

I can however say that there is nothing that I'm afraid to tackle in my garage. Bring it on. Right now I have my GF's Sisters husband's Dodge neon in my garage with half the rear suspension taken apart on it. Supposed to be in today, and gone tommorow, wont happen though, they need new dealer only parts, lol. Looks like I have another car staying in my garage now!

Serously though, dont ever be afraid to tackle a job. Its a good learning experience. BTW I use the plastic disconnects, and no problems.

 

my 91 has the plastic U clips that clip into place after you press the fuel line in. I had about 20 minutes into my Fuel filter. I hate how they change fuel line connectors all the time. My buick fuel filter connectors are basically press and release. GFs 01 cavalier, has a press and release on one side, and a freaking regular thread fitting on the other, that was rusted to hell!!

I've ran a couple cans of seafoam through my 3.0. One fuel system cleaner that can help greatly is the Techron stuff. I ran (even though recommended once every 3k) about 4 bottles of it through the truck through 800 miles. Really cleaned things out, from the last owner :0