I've read the FUEL FILTERS REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE that this Forum has provided and on page 1 of 3 it says that a very full fuel tank will cause the HFCM to drain fuel until tank is low enough for the flow to stop.
My tank happens to be topped off at the moment and I wanted to change the two fuel filters. I would hate to take out the large fuel filter on the frame and can't stop the flow of diesel until the tank get to some lower level. Can anyone confirm that I need to have less than a full tank of diesel so I don't end up with a mess under the truck?
Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you, Gary A.

 

Well Gary, that IS what the note says...Wishful thinking overcome you?
(Been there, done that).

 

Gary that is just some trucks that do that. Don't know why .
Mine works just fine with the tank full.
The only way to know if yours does is to try.
If you loosen the cap untill the fuel starts running out and it keeps running just tighten cap back up and wait till the tank is near empty to change that filter.
I believe that there is only a few trucks that have that problem. Most can be changed anytime without fuel being sucked out of the tank.

 

Changed mine with 1/4 tank, the drain plug dribbled for about 20 secs and that was it - a cupful of fuel. Changed the one on top of the engine without sucking out the fuel, just real careful putting the new filter in. Easy job with all the instructions on this site. BTW, lots of metal in the larger filter - ?

 

My tank was full, topped off even, and it only drained out about 8 oz.

 

I have never had a problem before and my tank is uaually full when they are changed!

 

To the helpful comments and suggestions above.....Thank you.
I have one more question: In step 4. of the FUEL FILTERS REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE where I remove the drain plug, IF the HFCM drains thru this drain plug and then after approximately 25 seconds it STOPS (ASSUMING IT STOPS), can I assume that when I remove the large fuel filter cap no more fuel will drain out?
Thanks again, Gary A.

 

Some fuel will still be in the cap.Put something under it for the fuel to
drain into..It's real easy..

 

I've never had the problem on our 04, 06 or 07.

As mentioned, a little bit of fuel will come out when you remove the filter/cap. I always put a rag/paper towel on the frame rail as I loosen it.

 

Thanks for all your responses.

One more thing: The PROCEDURE says that A VERY FULL FUEL TANK WILL CAUSE THE HFCM TO DRAIN FUEL UNTIL THE TANK IS LOW ENOUGH FOR THE FLOW TO STOP. That is my concern. If that is something that might happen since it is mentioned in the procedure, then by opening the drain plug first might tell me if that is going to happen? Does that make sense??? I don't want to crack open the large fuel filter cap and then have to re-tighten it if the flow doesn't stop. I'm concerned that the cap might not seal properly. Thanks for any comments or experience. Gary A.

 

Drain the plug first, it should only drain out 8-16oz. I left my plug out when changing the filter.

 

DC did a good write up on fuel filters
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-s-change.html

 

I left my plug out while doing the filter as well.
And I've never had any issue with doing them on a full tank, a little bit drains out and that's it.

On that link to my write up...I can't see the pics.
Here's a link to it:
6.0 Fuel Filter Change - Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

 

With that avatar who can look at the pics..

 

BTW- if you have 4wd, you won't be getting a 6mm hex socket in that drain plug- the drive shaft is right in the way of the socket end/socket wrench, even a flex extension won't work. Have to use a good old fashioned hex- ya know, with the 90 degree bend at 1/3 end (gasp!).