Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - plastic fuel filter on the top of the engine

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plastic fuel filter on the top of the engine

in my previous 6.7 power stroke TD the plastic in line had 2 inlet/outlets, now my 17' has a third one that's thinner, and smaller. just trying to understand why Ford made this change and what purpose does this third inlet/outlet serve.
thanks

The third inlet is for filling/priming the fuel system when the truck is built. The first filter that comes on the new truck has 3 inlet/outlets. All replacement filters only have two.

Your last 6.7L would have had 3 also when it was new, you may just not have noticed at the time.

EDIT: I stand corrected. I didn’t realize the 17 actually had the third line.

Grayson, the 17’s have three that are plumbed up. I’m not sure of the purpose of the third either.

I believe the third is the return line to the tank on the 17s

thank you for the quick response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysonp (Post 17748852)

The third inlet is for filling/priming the fuel system when the truck is built. The first filter that comes on the new truck has 3 inlet/outlets. All replacement filters only have two.

Your last 6.7L would have had 3 also when it was new, you may just not have noticed at the time.

This is not always the case. Ford must have made a change at some point. I changed my fuel filters for the first time this last weekend on my '16 with only one inlet and one outlet. I watched a few youtube videos to get familiar with the process before changing mine and noticed they all had a 3rd pipe, so when mine didn't have that 3rd pipe I noticed right away. Those trucks in the videos were 2011 and 2012's FWIW.

I also completely forgot about the fastener that holds the engine mounted filter in place. Either my truck doesn't have that fastener or I got lucky and removed it without needing to loosen it, mine came out relatively easily with a counter clockwise twist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirthawg

The 15 and 16 models (maybe earlier) don't have the tension screw that the older models do. You just twist the filter and pull up.

2011 -2016 MY original from the factory will have three tubes, but the tube closest to the grill will be sealed. When you execute a filter change there will only be 2 tubes. 2017 MY replacement filter have 3 tubes and 3 connections.

Quote:

Originally Posted by F250_Super_4X4 (Post 17750211)

2011 -2016 MY original from the factory will have three tubes, but the tube closest to the grill will be sealed.

I forgot to mention I purchased my truck brand new with only 24 miles on the clock 6 of those miles was the test drive. So either it came from the factory with only 2 tubes or it was changed before I took delivery (highly unlikely). I certainly can't be the only one?

Original filter I removed last weekend. Pulled it out of the trash to make sure I wasn't mistaken.

https://s20.postimg.org/h3yborhzh/20180124_181027.jpg

https://s20.postimg.org/lpufxbdv1/20161219_144042.jpg

My 16 only had two tubes from the factory.