Going to do a fuel filter and was curious about 2 things...

1) how many of you release fuel pressure before doing the filter?

2) What is the procedure? Accroding to the factory service manual it looks like you unplug the electrical line under the driver side door. Must run the fuel pump. It also hints that it will throw a code. Wondering if there is an easier way without throwing codes.

 

I don't depressurize nothing. Just wrap a rag around one of the fittings after you get it unlocked before disconnecting it completely. I don't disconnect any electrical connections either.

 

I just opened the gas cap when I did mine.

 

gas cap x2 I just did mine yesterday and I have one question. How the hell do so many morons break the blue clips? You dont even have to touch the blue clip to remove the filter.

 

I just did mine last Thursady. Didn't relieve any pressure.
The side with the blue clip was easy, just pop the middle of up and use the release tool and pop right off no problems. the other side was a little more of a hassle. Took about 20 minutes. I used the plastic release tools. I think the metal one would be better.

 

Technically you should release the pressure. The disconnect plug is behind a kick panel in front of the passenger door to the right of the passenger seat about where the passenger's right foot would be. Unplug it, start the truck (let it run out of gas and shut off), and then change your filter. When you're done, plug it back in and press the pump reset button.

If you have trouble, buy a Hayne's manual.

 

thanks all for the info. I change my fuel filter today. Had it parked overnight and had no issues with pressure.

The blue clip came off easy, the other side was a little bit of a pain. I had to remove the filter off the holder so i could get a thumb on each side of the disconnect tool. Then i could apply enough pressure to pop the line off the filter. I had the same issue when i did an explorer fuel filter last weekend. Good to know i save 60-70 bucks.

 

Some of the later ones have a different design. If you're reading about the fuel filter removal and you don't have the blue clip near the fuel filter, dont' mess with the blue clip. Just start with the fuel filter.

 

That's the intertia fuel cutoff switch. You used to be able to smack them and it would switch it off. Wonder if that's still the case. Then to reactivate it you would press the button on the switch.

 

I looked at mine, an 08/04 build truck, and it has what appears to be an ~ 3 inch connector between the filter and the blue clip. At the filter is connector with an orange clip of a different design. Anyone know if the orange clip needs to be pulled up or can be left alone?