Fuel System Clean Out??
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Fuel System Clean Out??
I'm taking my '03 Excursion in for general maintenance (It just hit 100,000 miles). It runs smooth, and I have no problems with it at all. One of the items the dealer suggested was a "fuel system clean out" for $185. This does not include the fuel filter. I have not heard of this before, and I'm wondering if this is necessary or one of those items which costs me money, but has little value.
Also, I'm thinking of changing the fuel filter myself. It sounds simple, but I'm not sure where the filter is even at...
Any help is appreciated. THANKS
Also, I'm thinking of changing the fuel filter myself. It sounds simple, but I'm not sure where the filter is even at...
Any help is appreciated. THANKS
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I'm taking my '03 Excursion in for general maintenance (It just hit 100,000 miles). It runs smooth, and I have no problems with it at all. One of the items the dealer suggested was a "fuel system clean out" for $185. This does not include the fuel filter. I have not heard of this before, and I'm wondering if this is necessary or one of those items which costs me money, but has little value.
Also, I'm thinking of changing the fuel filter myself. It sounds simple, but I'm not sure where the filter is even at...
Any help is appreciated. THANKS
Also, I'm thinking of changing the fuel filter myself. It sounds simple, but I'm not sure where the filter is even at...
Any help is appreciated. THANKS
Fuel filters are located in different locations for the different engines (might be the same place for the two gas engines), but we need to know if you even have a gasser or a smoker!
Welcome to FTE!
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Excellent, but I think you meant 6.8L, since you have the V10.
I'm not too familiar with the gassers, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in. If you don't get much response, go to the Modular V10 6.8L forum and post your question there!
I will hazard a guess that the fuel system clean out is basically a fuel injector cleaning procedure.
Stewart
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
$185!?!? Holy moly. Why not just run some Sea-Foam through it for >$10 a can. 
Fuel filter is under the driver's side door and up in the frame rail. You'll need the special tool to remove the filter. You can get it at most auto parts stores for around $5. Very easy.
Do you use quality gas?
Fuel filter is under the driver's side door and up in the frame rail. You'll need the special tool to remove the filter. You can get it at most auto parts stores for around $5. Very easy.
Do you use quality gas?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
$185!?!? Holy moly. Why not just run some Sea-Foam through it for >$10 a can.
Fuel filter is under the driver's side door and up in the frame rail. You'll need the special tool to remove the filter. You can get it at most auto parts stores for around $5. Very easy.
Do you use quality gas?
Fuel filter is under the driver's side door and up in the frame rail. You'll need the special tool to remove the filter. You can get it at most auto parts stores for around $5. Very easy.
Do you use quality gas?
As Monsta suggests, use some Sea Foam. Put half a can in about 10 gallons of fuel, and take the other half and run it into the engine through the brake booster hose. Then run the engine at about 3,500-4,000 RPM for about 5 minutes (just drive it in second gear).
Then change your oil.
You're done.
PS. You can omit the second step if you'd like. It probably doesn't do much.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Unless you drove your truck off into a pond, there's no reason to do a fuel system cleaning. Just change the fuel filter at recommended intervals. What a load of crap.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Northern Calif
It's true. I don't think it's worth the money. I used to do this when I worked for the Dodge Stealership, And I always felt bad for the people who let the service writer talk them in to this. The above information is probably tour best course of action. I would pull the fuel pump fuse, and crank the engine over for a few seconds. Then familiarize with the plastic fuel dis-connect tool and while wearing a face shield remove the filter. Don't forget to put the fuel pump fuse or relay back in prior to starting your truck. It sounds more difficult than it it is. Oh one other thing, make sure the filter is pointing the right direction. The arrows on the filter should be pointing towards the front of the truck.
T. MOE
T. MOE
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
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From: Houston, Texas
My dealer told me the same thing when I came in for a tranny flush; $185 for the cleaning plus the fuel filter, another $80. I bet if I asked to see how they did it, they wouldn't allow it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
My local Ford stealership wanted to do this "engine fogging" they called it on our '97 Thinderbird 4.6 at 29k miles with the engine running as new.
It was an expensive price for sure, I don't know that it was $185 though.
If it were me I would just run a tank of major brand premimum fuel with either Techron fuel systen cleaner or the Seafoam as suggested, then change your fuel filter and call it done.
I personally think that "injecting" stuff through the brake booster line is snake oil, and wouldn't do it or have it done unless my engine was running very badly to try & fix it.
I am in the habbit of adding premimum fuel and fuel cleaner at each oil change time and changing the fuel filter at recomended intervals.
It was an expensive price for sure, I don't know that it was $185 though.
If it were me I would just run a tank of major brand premimum fuel with either Techron fuel systen cleaner or the Seafoam as suggested, then change your fuel filter and call it done.
I personally think that "injecting" stuff through the brake booster line is snake oil, and wouldn't do it or have it done unless my engine was running very badly to try & fix it.
I am in the habbit of adding premimum fuel and fuel cleaner at each oil change time and changing the fuel filter at recomended intervals.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: High Point, NC
Supercab - I won't go in to the other stuff, but I wonder what your thinking is behind adding premium fuel. You think running SeaFoam thru the brake booster line is snkae oil, but you suggest premium fuel? The higer octane wonlt do anything for cleaning out the fuel system and all fuels pretty much contain the same additives (per brand - all Texaco fuels contain Techron, all BP fuels contain 'Invigorate' and so on, reguardless of fuel grade).
theherks - Like most have said, change the fuel filter and add an additive of your choice. Most folks seem to like SeaFoam and Techron. Changing the filter is a piece of cake and takes just a few minutes. After the first time I changed mine, I deciced to start doing it every 30k miles... @ ~$5 for the filter, its cheap insurance for a smoother running engine.
theherks - Like most have said, change the fuel filter and add an additive of your choice. Most folks seem to like SeaFoam and Techron. Changing the filter is a piece of cake and takes just a few minutes. After the first time I changed mine, I deciced to start doing it every 30k miles... @ ~$5 for the filter, its cheap insurance for a smoother running engine.
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