Noticed a weird smell coming from under the truck when I got home from work. Popped the hood and noticed fluid had sprayed everywhere. Started the truck and saw a high pressure spray of fluid coming out of this component. Don't know much about engines, can someone identify this part? It's the circular cap with three hoses (orange, blue, white) coming out of it.

 

Welp, found my answer. It's the upper fuel filter. I'll leave the post up if anyone else is a dummy like me.

 

Just for my info, What the year, miles and service interval on your truck. Just trying to figure out if there is a pattern to these filters splitting as you are not the first.

Also any tuners or programmer on this truck?

 

who did the last filter change and when?

get a new kit and change them both. Since you don't appear to know much about the 6.7 I would suggest you get a competent tech to do it and don't use anything but oem.

 

2019, 63,000 miles, bone stock. I get an oil change when it tells me, not much other maintenance besides that.

 

I've always assumed that when fuel sprays in this area it's due to user error (somebody didn't attach the hose fittings on the filter properly and/or broke a clip). Is there actually a known issue with the parts that can allow this to happen?

 

Yeah the secondary fuel filter has been known to crack on top... I did not know this either until I saw a post from @speakerfritz on it.

x2 on OEM Motorcraft filters only.

 

So was the filter set changed in the 63k miles?

 

I had a 2017 6.7 that split the filter with less than 15,000 miles on the truck. I was 2 hours from nearest dealership and had to have it towed. Finding something to kill the diesel smell from all the fuel sprayed under the hood was a problem.

 

I suggest the OP read up on the maintenance schedule in the owners manual for his driving style, 63k is way to long!!!

I carry a spare set of fuel filters under the back seat as an insurance policy, never know when you may need to change them...

 

Same here, but in the passenger area, generally. I should find an out-of-the-way place for the box, since the rear seat is almost always lifted up for maximum equipment and tools storage...

 

You know, I have at least one set left in the basement... never thought to carry a spare set... when I get home today, a set is going in a ziplock bag and under the seat... gotta make sure I have a socket big enough for the hex nut at the bottom of the DFCM cap in my tool bag.

 

always carry a spare and I rotate them when it is time for a change. I carry mine under the seat as I have a tool box in the bed.
I carry the under the hood filter in a coffee can to keep it as clean as possible.

 

OK good idea, never had an issue but then you never know, likely just jinx myself.

 

I carry tools and a few spares in the 6.0 - always spare fuel filters as it only takes one bad refueling to clog them up. I also carry a few essentials that won’t be to hand in Europe such as cam and crank sensors, and a spare belt. Also WD40 and duct tape can come in handy.