I changed my fuel filters 14,000 miles early and I'am sort of glad I did. I buy my fuel from pretty well one gas station and I was surprised how black the secondary filter was. You could see the dirt in the primary filter too. My truck is a 03 F-450 I changed the fuel filters when I bought the truck almost a year ago. The first filter change was done at 58,748kms (36,506 miles) that was 13 months ago. I have put 14,911kms (9265 miles) on the truck so far. When I did the first filter change I don't remember the filters being that dark.

The 15,000 mile fuel filter change seems too long what do you guys think ?

Oh ya the gas station I deal with sells lots of diesel fuel so there is no sour fuel.

 

It depends alot on your fuel. Mine are normally in good shape at 15k, but one time they were plugged at 6k; due to one source I use infrequently I'm pretty sure. I think their tanks got low and I was getting who knows what.

Mark

 

I agree with 4X4Mark it really depends on where you buy your fuel. I have changed mine a couple of times and they have not looked that bad. I believe in the owners manual it also takes into consideration the driving conditions if off road or contruction areas where there is alot of dust.

 

Changing them at 10k mi. is much safer than waiting til 15k. The fuel injectors are very picky about having good pressure to them.

Also, buy your fuel filters at an International truck dealership because they are much less expensive than Ford.
Part # 18471-70C93

 

I ordered my current filters from Diesel Filters online cheaper than I can get them from anywhere else. International dealer is too far away the Ford dealer has filters but they are 20-30 dollars more than DFO. If the CND dollar is still up and when I run out of filters I will buy more. I have enough filters to do a about a years worth oil changes. Fuel filter should be good for 8-10 months.

I think I will change the fuel filters out at 10,000 miles.

 

i have been lucky buying motorcraft or racor filters on ebay. they are new and alot cheaper than anywhere else. 5 bucks for shipping, still way cheaper than anywhere else. I have several currently. I also buy the air filter too. Have gotten the donaldson filter for 40 bucks plus 15(at the most) for shipping. Hope it helps...

 

Getting ready to change mine for the first time nest month when I hit 10k miles.

 

I bought the Lisle 6.0 Filter socket it is the best investment I made it sure helps changing the frame mounted filter. The last time I did it I used a cresent wrench what a freaking pain in the azz.

A 3/8s drive ratchet and the socket makes taking the lid off the housing and putting it back so much easier. It doesn't make the job any cleaner thou I still had diesel everywhere. Then on the F-450s there is a brake line right where you have to get the filter out so you have to push up on the brake line. I'am glad its only a once a year filter change for me.

It also takes time to get the damn filter lid started square its easy to cross thread it. Not a big fan of canister filters but thats what Ford put on the 6.0.

When I first bought the truck I didn't really know that you were only supposed to use nothing but Motorcraft fuel and oil filters for the proper fitment. First fuel filter change I used Wix filters from the local parts store and found out that the Motorcraft primary filter has a water repelling sleeve on it. You need to have that well the Wix filter didn't have that.

I'am fussy when it comes to maintenance I do regular maintenance on the truck constantly. Last oil change I did it 1000kms early the weather was good outside and the filters I ordered arived so I changed it. I grease the truck once a month its been a little more than a month since I greased it because the weather hasn't been the greatest.

 

i drive approximately 50-60k per year, i change mine at 15k. have not had any problems other than when i forgot and went 17.5k. i was almost stranded. changed filters and everything was fine. i would say ford has the 15k right on the mark. but a few things to watch at fuel stations:
how much fuel they go thru, more is better for you?
don't ever fill up while tanker is delivering fuel, he will stir up everything in their tanks and it could end up in your tank, which could end up in your filter, causing premature filter change.