Fuel filter replaced (No broken blue clip) Pics included
 

The front side of the fuel filter comes of very easily, as long as you have the ford fuel filter replacement tool..

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...995-178251.jpg

Now as far as the blue clip goes, I searched on here and found no real answer as to how it worked, so I decided to take my time and mess around with it and get it off without breaking it.. First step is if you have a set of picks, use the 90 degree pick, and slide it in between the fuel filter, and fuel line as shown here.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...995-178252.jpg
Once you have it in between the fuel filter and fuel line slowly pull back on the pick, and the center part of the blue clip should start to pop out, once it has poped out some, remove the pick from the fuel filter and place it under the middle piece of the blue clip (piece is shown in the next pic) and pull up on it.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...995-178253.jpg

Once the middle blue pice of the blue clip looks like the picture above, you will have to push down on the two outer pieces of the blue clip, this should release the filter, and it should slide right out. If it does not release push the center piece of the blue clip back in a little, and that should get it to release.

Anyway I replaced mine at 23,000 miles, and I will say it was filthy. I will update this thread with a picture of the inside of my fuel filter as soon as I get a chance to cut it open..

i should do mine.. i just hit 28K miles..

Yes, you should. There was a post on here of one cut open after 12,000. I replace mine every 15,000. It is easy and cheap, so why not.

Thanks, nice write-up on this.

Yes, it is, but I am a little confused. I never use a pick, I just use the little pliers type thing on ***** sides and have never had a problem.

Maybe the 04's are different?

Thanks TX 150! the clearest explanation i ever found regarding fuel filters, I can't do it mine with the search i made 3 months ago, I'll try with your metod this weekend

It is a night and day difference when you change a fuel filter. My truck seems so responsive and smooth after i change mine.

You are welcome.
I also searched, and kept putting off changing my fuel filter, because I couldnt find any detailed instructions and information regarding thet blue clip. Since I had some time, I just decided to go out there, and figure it out..

azfordby4 Nice truck BTW..

Here is how the service manual says to remove the blue fule line clip. First you push on the two tab corners
to release the centerlocking tab. Then you pull the locking tab out and push the fitting towards the tube to release pressure, press the tab corners to release the fitting.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...789-178334.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...789-178335.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...789-178336.jpg

Thanks for posting this. I just changed mine today. I have about $15.00 into the new filter and removal tool, it only took me about 10 min. That is after I check back here to see how to get that stupid blue click to come loose.

My filter had never been changed before and the truck as 37,XXX miles. Once I had the old filter off I checked to see how clogged it was. I was still able to blow through it, so it must not have been too bad.

Thanks again TXF150

Nice Post!

I changed mine yesterday. It had almost 55k miles on it and it was hard to blow through.

hmm i have 48k and never changed where is the filter?

It is on the frame rail on the driver side.

thank you i would have found it but im too lazy but now that i know where it is ill pick up a filter in the morning

At my 18k oil change (~3k/5k/5k/5k, next week), I think I'm going to do this. Just gotta find one, and get the tool.

I need to save the picture of your picks for when I try to explain what they are, and how to use them for the LT handles...

Where did you guys get the filter tool...autozone or where ever? Also which chain carries the motorcraft filters...Autozone, Advanced or O'Reilley's?

I got the tool at Checker and the Motorcraft filter at the dealer but I've been told that O'Reilley's carries them

Thanks...I think Advanced AutoParts is the same as Checkers. So I will give them a try.

So is the tool only needed to disconect the other end or is it really needed at all.

Yes it is needed! 3 years ago I did the filter on my work truck with out the tool, actually I didn't know that there was a tool for it. But I ended up screwing up the the barbs on the inside of the fuel line, the ones that the tool releases. If I remeber right I ended up having 2-3 hours into that filter. So for the $6 or 7 isn't no worth doing it without the tool, since the one on my 04 took a whole 10 mins to do.

I buy my fuel filters at O'Riellys, Motorcraft for about $13. I made the mistake once of buying some hose brand at AutoZone for about $10. I threw it away without using it. Was very poorly constructed, so now I stick with the Motorcraft.

The fuel filter in the car that I drive to work has 137k on it. Think I should change it? :lol:

Why bother, it obviously isn't working or it would be stopped up.:lol:

It actually started acting last week like it could possibly be about to clog on me.

Could be that or the plugs..... they're original too. :devil:

I changed mine today....it took all of 5 min using the pick and the filter tool. The one I took off didnt seem to be clogging up, but for less than $15 its worth doing every 30K miles or so.

confused
 

ok newbie at this, I've never changed one so when you take it off isnt fuel gonna pour out? I believe my truck still has the stock on it with 52k miles

You don't want to be lieing directly under it. A small amount runs out, not much, if you keep the filter level as possible. Most of the run out is from the filter itself. I just keep a rag in my hand to catch what little runs out. It does not run out until you pull the filter out of the line.

I plan on doing mine next month with the next oil change..

I have a change coing up soon. i have 41,000 and I change every 15,000 miles.

thanks txf150 for the pictures and decription on this thread i changed mine in about 3 minutes and didnt break the blue clip...... there sure was some nasty gas in there

I just replaced mine at almost 20,000 miles. I think I will start around 15,000 from now on. I didn't try to blow through it but there was a lot of brownish gas with sediment coming from the backside of the filter. I haven't ran a whole tank of gas yet so I don't know if my mpg was suffering because of it or not. I would definately reccommend changing this filter at least every 20k instead of the 30k like for suggests.

I also got the filter removal tool from OReilly auto and opted for the WIX filter instead of the MC.

It's on your truck! :D

Hmmm... it's on the driverside frame rail about middle of the truck... close to being inline with where the Driverside door shuts... It's in a little plasticholder that you have to rotate it out of... Ya cant miss it... Buy the new filter, see what it looks like and crawl under the truck... you'll spot it!

So the Ford tool is the one pictured on the bottom, correct? They don't have the brightest folks working at the parts stores these days, so I figured I'd like to know what it looks like before I make extra trips for nothing. :coffee:

The Motorcraft fuel filter is part # FG-986-B, correct?

I have about 21k on mine and figured I'd change it soon.

Hrmmm, my blue clip is not directly on the filter like in your pics. There's another 6" hose that is on the filter with another type of clip on it.

:edit: I was able to use the same tool on both ends, and didn't need to mess with the blue clip.

Yup, and they had it at Advance. Paid $7.xx for it. Had to look up an '05 though. The flex fuel trucks have a different filter, but mine is an early '06 without it.

Hey Fellas,

So I'm going to do this during the weekend. What do I need the Ford silver tool for?

The explanation on page 1 tells me how to remove the side with the blue clip. But what about the other end? I'm assuming you need to remove the filter from that end too.

Also, when you remove the second end, is that when you need to have kinked the fuel line to prevent gas from pouring out?

Thanks,

Duke

The Filter tool goes over the fuel filter like this, and slides into the hose end on the truck like this:

http://photos.imageevent.com/eelpusd...uelfilter2.jpg

The ford tool works like this:

http://photos.imageevent.com/eelpusd...uelfilter8.jpg

Also there is no need to kink the fuel line at all.. The silver fuel removal tool can be found at autozone or pep boys..

Great diagrams!

Just to verify, the Ford tool goes between the blue clip thing in the most recent picture and the silver hose like connection. Then I just push the entire Ford tool away from the fuel filter in order to get the tube off the fuel filter?

Thanks again, sorry for the 100 seemingly ignorant questions.

Duke