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I changed my oil in my 02 SD F-250 4X4 Triton V-10 yesterday and noticed that I have an inline fuel filter attached to the drivers side rail. I would like to change this filter out, do I need to release fuel pressure from any point or just release the clips from both ends of the filter?
When I changed mine in my 5.4L, I didn't release any pressure. Only got a little gas on my hands. If you're careful, I expect that's all you'll get also. Just have something down there to catch the little that will spill, and don't be laying directly underneath it!
When ever I changed the fuel filter on my 4.6L I would (as per the instructions) pull the fuel pump fuse and then crank the engine to release pressure from the fuel lines as they are pressurized. Only then would I remove the filter (which btw - at least on the 4.6L - requires a special tool to release the clips .... about a $10 item at an auto parts store).
You'll need a Ford fuel line removal tool available at Napa, Advanced Auto, Autozone and Etc. The filter is easily replaced, the hardest part is pulling the old filter out of the strong steel holder. You can pull the fuse if you want but I've done it without. Have rags handy because there will be gas dripping all over even if you run the truck until it dies.
If you let it sit overnight, the pressure will bleed away and allow you to remove the filter with only the amount of gass sitting in the filter. Also have something like a golf tee to plug the line from the gas tak, it might dribble for awhile too.
My biggest problem on my 94 F250 is getting enough leverage in the tight space to remove the fitting and hard, to put the fitting on the new filter.
One warning, the filter nipple ends are not that strong. If you push too hard on the nipple, it may dent the end caps inwards.
Yeah, that stupid tool makes it easy. I read where some people did it without it, but it ain't that much. Got mine at O'Reilly's. I had more trouble getting the new filter IN the bracket than getting the old one out. Man what a pain. Literally...on the knuckles!