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fuel filter ????

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Old Nov 9, 2007 | 06:12 PM
  #1  
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olgold
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fuel filter ????

Does anyone know how to change the little plastic 'sensor'....not sure which one it is...on top of the fuel filter housing on a 1989 7.3.?...It has a blue wire with a black rubber connector that snaps on top. Upon changing my filter this week I noticed it is leaking, don't know for how long, but sure would be nice to know the name of it and how to get it out for replacement....Any help would be great and dance at one's wedding kind of gratitude...Thanks a bunch...
 
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Old Nov 9, 2007 | 08:05 PM
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Dave Sponaugle
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
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That is the fuel heater connector.

There is an O ring inside the fuel filter header, but to change it you have to take the header apart from the bottom.

Removing the header from the bracket is rather easy though.

Way to late to dance at my wedding, and I have no intention of making the same mistake twice.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 08:30 AM
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olgold
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Thanks Dave....I'm not much of a dancer anyway....I probably am responsible for the leak, tightened the filter too tight???.....you can see the fuel coming up through the top of the connector when the little rubber cap is removed...This wouldn't be the first time overtightening has got me in trouble....But sounds like the fix won't be too bad....thanks again!!!
 
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 11:02 AM
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I just had that exact same problem with my 88 7.3! They must be timed to go bad at the same time. It's an easy fix, but as Dave said you need to remove the two bolts that hold the filter assembly on, remove the filter, and there is a BAN (Big A__ Nut) that is 1 1/4" diameter. Unscrew that nut and the heater assemble will come out and oyu can replace the ) ring.

Before you take it apart, you may want to get a new O ring for the line that come from the fuel pump and put a new one of those on, since I'm afraid after you take it apart and it's 20 years old it will leak if you don't.

Also... While it's apart check the one way air valve in the filter that goes to the return lines. It's supposed to be a one way valve, mine was two way... so I replace that while I had it apart.

Good luck.

Wayne
 
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 12:25 PM
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man..thanks guys...I like my truck a bunch too...with some many dudes keeping these old gems and their knowledge on this site...might keep mine for many more years, with help found here...
 
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 12:59 PM
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Yea, I'm liking mine more and more lately, especially since my nieghbor just spent 50K plus on a new F-250 Super Duty to cart his wife around! The best thing I learned here recently was the TSB for the firewall for the master cylinder on the clutch. My clutch is like new now, finally!
 
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Old Nov 13, 2007 | 01:08 PM
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olgold
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one more question...have the O ring on order....upon removal of the nut where the filter goes, the piece above it comes off but not the plastic section with the heating element attached...it looks to me like this has to come off to replace the O ring where the leak is at...assuming this piece is supposed to come off it doesn't seem to want to easily??...For fear of breaking it and then needing the entire..117.00 header any help in gingerly removing this so I can snap it back together would be great....thanks again...
 
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Old Nov 13, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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wdhille
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The fuel filter comes off, then that exposes the 1 1/4" nut. Take that off. Then press gently on the connector where the blue wire was and it will pop right out. My heater was plastic and some shiny metal on the bottom.

regards

wayne
 
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