I realize I'm probably just a moron but I took out the old fuel filter and can't get it removed from the top. The one I bought has instructions and it doesn't tell you how to remove the old filter from the plastic top. Do I have the wrong filter? I thought this was going to be easy, man nothing ever goes smooth for me.

 

Some give you a new cap and some dont...just pry the filter away from the cap and it will pop loose.
---------------------Jeremy

 

Am I supposed to buy the one with a top already on it? Will I damage the plastic top by prying? Is there a special prying trick you use?

 

No as long as the filter looks the same its fine...some manufactures include the cap, but some dont the last one I bought didnt give me the cap either...depending on the kind of cap you have if it has little tabs then be careful not to break the tabs but I believe ther pretty strong. The other kind has no tabs and the filter will pull off with some force.
------------------Jeremy

 

Well I've tried prying the dang thing out and have gotten no where. Do they come with the top already on where you just screw them on. Seriously this is crazy. Should I just take the one I bought back and see if they have the one with the top already on it? I've messed up the old filter so it ain't going back on.

 

bump, bump

 

Well you could or if the filter is messed up then make it come off with whatever means necessary...lol I'm not sure which brand has it but i know its out there.
-----------------Jeremy

 

I have never had my hand on one that has the filter/cap as one. I am not sure if they are interchangeable or not. I would rip and tear that old filter until its off. If its already wrecked your not hurting anything.

 

certain brands come with the top as part of the filter, if you cant get it off then hit autozone for the filter, i cant remeber the brand but its in an all red box, costs 15 bucks and has the top molded into it already.

 

I called the International place where I bought the filter and they have the plastic tops for $12. They are open unitl 12 midnight also, so off I go.

 

that works too, the top from ford is like 25 or 30 bucks, i remeber pricing it and there was only a 2 or 3 dollar difference from filter to cap..lol

 

Yep..I am ordering a new cap today as I finally found tht to be my fuel leak source. Afer 2 weeks of trying to find the sucker, a dye test reveealed the cap leaking. y2kford parts was cheapest for an OEM cap with the tabs at $11.90, and powerstrokeshop.com was a buck more. OEM came with a re-useable cap.

 

Purolator(sp) replacements come with a new top.