Pesky Fuel Filter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 188
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Pesky Fuel Filter
Hi all, I'm trying to replace my fuel filter in my truck. I'm having a lot of trouble with breaking the quick disconnect lines free from the filter. It's a Michigan truck, so everything is a little rusty.
I tried the plastic collar tools to no avail, so I bought the metal scissor style. The tool slides in fine, but the lines won't budge. Also, there isn't enough clearance on the back side of the filter, so I'll probably have to break the nipple off.
Is there something I'm missing? Also, what is the safest way to remove the 'ends' off the filter? I'm thinking a cut off wheel may be a little too dangerous
Once I remove the nipples from the filter, will they pop off the fuel lines easier?
Thanks!
I tried the plastic collar tools to no avail, so I bought the metal scissor style. The tool slides in fine, but the lines won't budge. Also, there isn't enough clearance on the back side of the filter, so I'll probably have to break the nipple off.
Is there something I'm missing? Also, what is the safest way to remove the 'ends' off the filter? I'm thinking a cut off wheel may be a little too dangerous
Once I remove the nipples from the filter, will they pop off the fuel lines easier?Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
They can be a pain, can't they?
I had the same problem, then one day I got it.
It took a few attemps over a 6 month period..maybe longer, but one day while swapping fuel tanks, I decided to give the filter a try and voila, there it was in my hand.
It was a magical moment....I think angels even descended from the heavens......lol
I had a set of the plastic tools, but found that they did not always go deep enough.
That may be the problem......In fact I had fashioned a band out of some aluminum for one of the fuel pump fittings on the tank because the plastic one was not cutting it.
My homemade one worked and though I can't remember, I wouldn't be surprised if that is why I got the filter off that day. Perhaps I tried my own tool.....Wish I could remember.
In any event, it may be worth a shot. Cost nothing to make and you make it as long as you want.
Here's a pic of the one I made(along with purchased set)...just bend it around the tube.
Some guys do recommend a penetrating lubricant. Hit it a few time over the course of a couple of days before attempting removal of filter.
I had the same problem, then one day I got it.
It took a few attemps over a 6 month period..maybe longer, but one day while swapping fuel tanks, I decided to give the filter a try and voila, there it was in my hand.
It was a magical moment....I think angels even descended from the heavens......lol
I had a set of the plastic tools, but found that they did not always go deep enough.
That may be the problem......In fact I had fashioned a band out of some aluminum for one of the fuel pump fittings on the tank because the plastic one was not cutting it.
My homemade one worked and though I can't remember, I wouldn't be surprised if that is why I got the filter off that day. Perhaps I tried my own tool.....Wish I could remember.
In any event, it may be worth a shot. Cost nothing to make and you make it as long as you want.
Here's a pic of the one I made(along with purchased set)...just bend it around the tube.
Some guys do recommend a penetrating lubricant. Hit it a few time over the course of a couple of days before attempting removal of filter.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
..and wear safety glasses (burns like a mother....).
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
They must have done something totally different for the 95's. On my 91 all I had to do was pull the plastic retaining clip out and the filter slid right off the line. I got new retaining clips w/ the new filter so I didn't even have to save the old ones.
Am I missing something with the 95?
Am I missing something with the 95?
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Okanagan
Put some force into it. Use the bigger end of the scissor style tool and twist while pushing as hard as you can. It's nearly impossible to break those internal clips, but the fuel lines are vulnerable. The plastic tools are not great to use in this scenario. Keep trying, they will come free.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Put some force into it. Use the bigger end of the scissor style tool and twist while pushing as hard as you can. It's nearly impossible to break those internal clips, but the fuel lines are vulnerable. The plastic tools are not great to use in this scenario. Keep trying, they will come free.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
They must have done something totally different for the 95's. On my 91 all I had to do was pull the plastic retaining clip out and the filter slid right off the line. I got new retaining clips w/ the new filter so I didn't even have to save the old ones.
Am I missing something with the 95?
Am I missing something with the 95?
For the most part, I think 92-96 use the same clips but don't quote me on that.
I tried to find clear pic showing in the end of the line, but can't find one.
Here is a link showing the replaceable clip that is in the end of the line.
There is also a metal safety clip that ensure that the fitting wont fly apart.
Dorman Products - 800-008
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
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They can be a pain, can't they?
I had the same problem, then one day I got it.
It took a few attemps over a 6 month period..maybe longer, but one day while swapping fuel tanks, I decided to give the filter a try and voila, there it was in my hand.
It was a magical moment....I think angels even descended from the heavens......lol
I had a set of the plastic tools, but found that they did not always go deep enough.
That may be the problem......In fact I had fashioned a band out of some aluminum for one of the fuel pump fittings on the tank because the plastic one was not cutting it.
My homemade one worked and though I can't remember, I wouldn't be surprised if that is why I got the filter off that day. Perhaps I tried my own tool.....Wish I could remember.
In any event, it may be worth a shot. Cost nothing to make and you make it as long as you want.
Here's a pic of the one I made(along with purchased set)...just bend it around the tube.
Some guys do recommend a penetrating lubricant. Hit it a few time over the course of a couple of days before attempting removal of filter.
I had the same problem, then one day I got it.
It took a few attemps over a 6 month period..maybe longer, but one day while swapping fuel tanks, I decided to give the filter a try and voila, there it was in my hand.
It was a magical moment....I think angels even descended from the heavens......lol
I had a set of the plastic tools, but found that they did not always go deep enough.
That may be the problem......In fact I had fashioned a band out of some aluminum for one of the fuel pump fittings on the tank because the plastic one was not cutting it.
My homemade one worked and though I can't remember, I wouldn't be surprised if that is why I got the filter off that day. Perhaps I tried my own tool.....Wish I could remember.
In any event, it may be worth a shot. Cost nothing to make and you make it as long as you want.
Here's a pic of the one I made(along with purchased set)...just bend it around the tube.
Some guys do recommend a penetrating lubricant. Hit it a few time over the course of a couple of days before attempting removal of filter.
I have changed the filter a month ago, mine is a 95. The tool isn´t deep enough. I had to make somethis like this, i bend a piece of cooper tube, and then with some pliers the tube and more than 1 hour of tries it finnaly cames out.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
I don't see why they couldn't make them just a little longer. I suspect that they may work fine for a similar connections on other vehicles, but just not our ford trucks. Actually, as luck would have it, I just had to change out a leaky tank on my 99 and I used the plastic set I showed to remove a similar style clip on one of the lines, but the other line was a different size and again I had to use the home made clip again (something told me I should hang on to it). That was exactly the same scenario with the two fittings on my 94.
There's a saying: Necessity is the mother of all invention
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland
On my rusty '96 the forward end came apart just like it should but the rearward end was tough. After fighting with the tool for an hour I finally clipped the filter off with a pair of diagonal cutters. At that point I could pull the fuel line down and look at it straight on with a flashlight. I could see that one of the fingers was bent over just far enough that the tool was never going to push it out of the way. I used a small flat-head screw driver and a dental pick to rework the clip so that the tool could get it out. If you do this make sure to snip the nipple as close to the filter base as possible. You'll also probably end up smashing the nipple but that's nothing a pair of pliers can't fix.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Worst Case
My filter had been jacked with by previous owner and I tried everything to get it off and they would not come loose!! 
Finally I got a tubing cutter and cut the line back to metal on both sides of filter and went to junk yard and got lines and used compression fitting (brass 5/16 I think) and put back with filter and bracket moved forward a few inches for easy working next time!! Ford 96
Finally I got a tubing cutter and cut the line back to metal on both sides of filter and went to junk yard and got lines and used compression fitting (brass 5/16 I think) and put back with filter and bracket moved forward a few inches for easy working next time!! Ford 96
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Bristol/Hartford CT
I did and I still got sprayed..
no frickin clue WHY..My FF is still being held on by zip-ties from the previous owner. I did the filter and put the ties back on so I can get back down to napa to get the clips. someone pulled the metal retainers out of the lines. I just never messed with it after that. It's not leaking, so I don't mess with it.
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