...then get the removal tool into place. I read somewhere else on the forum to use an open-ended wrench to force the tool into place and this did the trick. Unfortunately I don't have any more pictures after this because once I got the first fuel line off, I was up to my elbows in gasoline, even with rags strategically placed around the filter, and I didn't want to get gas all over my camera, risk sparks from the flash (?), etc. FWIW, the plastic tool worked fine but I pretty much mangled it up on the second fuel line removal. I kept it in case I ever need it again but I don't know if it will work again...it's cheap in any case.

One thing I learned was to keep the clamp bolt tight until the fuel lines are off. I initially loosened it, but then I didn't have any leverage to wiggle/cajole the fuel lines off the filter. Tightening up the bolt solved that. Also in the pics you might be able to see tabs on the forward end of the filter bracket. I didn't see them at first in the dark under the truck, but it became apparent pretty quickly the filter wasn't going to come out of the bracket in the forward direction.

Reinstalling the fuel lines on the new filter was a piece of cake. They snapped very obviously into place.

Oh yeah...prior to pulling the lines, I pulled the fuel pump fuse/relay and cranked the motor to relieve pressure. That seemed to do the trick and as there was no pressurized fuel spraying out, just fuel draining from the filter itself.

I know it's a simple operation for you gear-heads, but I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself after this one...

 

hrkdrivr:
Great follow up post and photos. I am sure you have just help many a folks.
Jon

 

Thanks Jon! I love forums like this. There's another one I haunt hosted by a boat manufacturer. Through these forums I've been able to save a fair bit of $$. I like supporting local businessmen, but there are many things like this people can do for themselves, both on boats and cars, with just basic tools and the knowledged gained from the fourms. I never would have been able to figure them out but for these forums...

 

hrkdrivr,
You are right, the use of the forum is a great way to save some cash, and gain a wealth of knowledge. Another plus is if you do screw up a project and then try again and get it right, or stop and ask for assistance, you will most likely find out you were not the first person who has made the mistake.
I did add to your rep point status.
Thanks again,

 

Where do we get this removal tool and how much is it and is it really necessary?

 

I got a set of coupler disconnectors at NAPA. It came with a 3/8 for Fords and another one for GM products (don't know the size). I also came with 6 others of different sizes that are supposed to be useful for air conditioning connections, though I doubt I'll be tackling that!! Anyway, the whole set was around $13.00. You can buy just the Ford-specific one for a couple bucks. There are also some fancy metal wrench types (I don't know how they work) for about $10.00.

Is it necessary? Well, you need something that will slip between the filter neck and the coupler to release the spring-catch inside the fuel line coupler. The connection is pretty stout, as it should be for a fuel line, and there's no way you'll get the fuel line off the filter neck otherwise. Someone here fashioned one from something they had in the garage; it wasn't worth the time or hassle for me. I just ran out to NAPA.

 

TRUE!! Several projects on my boat would've been cheaper/less frustrating/fewer busted knuckles if only I'd checked the forums first!!!

Jon, I learned something new again! I didn't even know there was such a thing. Thank you, and you're welcome...

 

One point of clairfication. In my last photo, you can see the blue separator in place around the filter neck. When you push it into the fuel line (to the left in this case), it needs to go nearly all the way in. When i finally got the spring to release, the blue thing was all the way in except about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch sticking out.

When you do it, it's pretty obvious, just sayin'...

 

Has anyone got the procedure for changing the filter on an 08 V10?
It appears to be a different setup than what has been discussed so far.
Thanks
Bill