Regular replacement of fuel filters is cheaper than replacing fuel pumps and/or injectors. Some guys do theirs every 15K, I do mine every 30K.

 

A lot depends on where you are.
The local Ford shop recommends changing the filter at half the recommended distance, due to the high fuel contamination level and many of the emissions additives used locally. No shop around this area expects filters to last the full time. Which is always ‘under ideal conditions’.

Also, you are supposed to change them every two years (again, according to Ford Dealership) no matter how few miles you drive.
On all of my cars I end up changing by the calendar, rather than miles because with four vehicles, only two retired drivers, my average vehicle only gets about 5k a year. So if my wife's last car only got an oil change at say, 5k miles, it would have only had 5 oil changes in six years... It had just fewer than 30 when she sold it, in six and a half years.
My motorhome has only hit three thousand on one change. It is seven years old and has 20k miles. Again, you change by the calendar, not the mileage on lower use vehicles.
Moisture, which ruins filters, components etc. build up faster in low use vehicles.
That saying, my filter has another 8 months before recommended change time, and I’m glad some of these other guys are going first. I hope to know any tricks by the time I need them.

That clip is not going to get better with age. Hopefully Motormite or someone will start selling the clip before long.
Chris

 

I was reading a thread that posted that at 15,000 miles his fuel filter was very dirty. I had over 15,000 and decided to change it as well. It cost 15 bucks for the filter. BUT in a fit of backyard mechanics I broke the blue clip that attaches the tank line to the filter and that is what the thread is about. trying to get a replacement part that works. The dealer wants to sell the line for over 100 dollars. not economical when all you want is the plastic clip.

 

First the "old style" clip can be found at most auto parts stores. It looks like a U. You slide the line on the filter, and then the clip goes through the opening and pinches the line. The clip is slightly tapered so that it will fully seat the line on the filter. On the older Fords the other side of the fuel line bell had two slots in it the clip would lock onto. I also did not like the idea of using the zip ties. To me they are not as thick, and are not tapered so there is a chance that the line could slide off of the filter.

Second, my truck has about 14k miles. With the recent fuel supply problems many gas stations are using gas that is "dirtier" than normal. After seeing the nasty looking stuff that came out of the inlet side of the filter I was glad that I changed it.

Joe

 

Thanks, I used the 3/8 ths size fuel line retainer. I did have to cut the tips of the clip just a little to completely seat the clip inside the line.

 

i break a clip too, but i can disconect the other side of the filter how can do. please help, tell me

 

Wouldn't it be okay to just dispense with the rediculous clip-style connectors and re-do the whole thing with rubber hose and hose clamps? No more broken clips to worry about.

What do ya'll think?

 

Personally I think that it is a horrible idea. The fuel system uses pressure from the tank to push fuel to the engine. The end of the lines do not have a roll bead on them to secure the hose. In no time flat you will either blow the hose off of the end of the tube or the hose will not be able to take the pressure. Either way you are stuck on the side of the road leaking gas. Not my idea of a good time. The quick disconnects are great, as long as you don't break them. The old style clips work as a good replacement if you do. I have not had a bit of problems in 20k+ miles. I also added a zip tie to go around the clip just as an added measure, but I don't think that it was necessary. I have heard that Car-Quest sells the replacement clips, but I have not looked there myself. Do a search on here and you will find the thread about it.

Joe