Your "cheap plastic thing" or the metal "scissors" tools will both work. I got both on sale at Harbor Freight for $11 total. Doing mine tomorrow and will see which works best. It is interesting to hand both of them and my Radiator Fin Rake ($3 on sale) to other DIY's and see if they know what hey are for- stumps everybody.

 

heres one thread i found on changing the fuel filter:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...2&page=1&pp=15

 

heres another link. Found it on ask jeeves. Its a good one:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...ce+fuel+filter

 

Replaced fuel filter today on 04 F150. Sat overnight and there was no pressure at Schrader valve. Used rubber caps on disconnected filter ends so only a few gas dribbles Tried both the 5/16" metal scissors tool and the 5/16" plastic collar tool. Which one is best - its a draw imo. I seem to remember a previous older thread saying the plastic collar tool was easier.

 

bogman, where was the Schrader valve located? I couldn’t find it; I thought it was suppose to be on the fuel rails somewhere. I changed my filter after it sat overnight too and found there was no pressure either. I used a Motorcraft FG-986B

 

Another trick to release the fuel pressure is to pull the fuel pump fuse with the engine running.

 

Schrader valve is the small green plastic cap high up on the driver's side of the fire wall. Unscrew it and push the pin. Anybody know how much gas comes out if there is still pressure? I did not know for sure where it was on the 04, saw nothing on the fuel rail, but saw the green cap. Didn't know what that green cap was so I didn't remove it. I couldn't trace the connection to the fuel line. Somebody on another thread said the green cap is it, so it this site really helps. If some of the links mentioned earlier are for pre 04 models the valve in another location and be confusing.

 

I guess this must be it. By to looks of it I don’t think any gas is going to come out, just air pressure, but I’m not sure.

 

Whats the best fuel filter to get. Of course the Motorcraft one is always reliable. Is the WIX any better or worse. It costs more and I dont mind paying a little extra for a better filter. I bought a red anodized aluminum fuel removal tool. I think its a better deal than the plastic ones since i have a good habit of stepping on them.

 

From searching this forum, Motorcraft is by far the most recommended and the only one recommended by Troyer Performance

 

Just got my fuel filter replaced. It was easy. The hardest part for me was looking for the filter and getting down on the ground to replace it. All I could find was a puralator for about 8 bucks at advanced AP. I went everywhere and there were only wix and puralator. I dont like going to the dearship for some reason. I always wind up with new vehicles. How many miles should I go before i change my fuel filter again. Im thinking about cutting out my old one to see what it looks like. Looks like it was never replaced according to the records.

 

My Ford engineer bud says these trannies will last a lifetime, but you HAVE to have them FLUSHED every 30k. I'm gettin mine done in at 30.

 

Does anyone know where the post is that lists the online auto parts store that sell the fuel filters for 8 bucks a pop? I can't find it now that I want to buy some filters.

 

jc whitney sells three brands of filters a wix for like 8 bucs a fram for like 11 and a motorcraft for 14 bucks. hers a link.
http://webepc.com/cgi-bin/sewse?/u/w....cmm+jcwhitney

 

Tabby's Parts * Motorcraft Fuel Filter * FG-986B * $8.66

here ya go

the last time I ordered fuel filters from Tabby's shipping was free too