Ok, so i decided to change my fuel filter today. Well, everything was going great....i didnt break the blue clip, the filter came out easily, and the new one went in great. I started the truck up and everything looked good.

However, i did some other stuff to my truck today and as i started to pull it around to the front of my house i suddenly smelled gas. I turn it off and there is a big puddle where i first started it up and a trail of gas up my driveway.
Anyways, the clip that holds the line closest to the engine was loose and it appeared as if it was bent where the two sides of the clip come together. (NOT THE BLUE CLIP) This was preventing the clip from holding the line on. So, i managed to put a zip tie around that part of the clip so it would hold the line on tight.

However, i do not want to leave it that way. Can that clip be replaced by itself or will i have to get the whole line redone.?

PICTURES

 

I think the proper term for it is the "safety clip"

 

Why can't you just re-form the deformed metal clip in order for it to function properly?

 

i thought i had reformed it right, but as soon as i went to make it close...it just wouldnt work.
It worked off the line...but not when i had it on the line. Also it was getting dark and i needed a quick fix.

 

Doesn't the fuel filter "snap" into that side of the fuel line also?

it should be able to come un-done if it's snapped into place.

Either way... you could always go to a junk yard and find a totalled 04+ F150... cut the fuel line with some snips and take that piece home.

 

That clip doesn't really hold the line onto the filter, the catches inside the line (the part that the disconnect tool depresses to release the line) are what hold the line on. If you're getting a leak from that fitting, you don't have it fully seated onto the filter. The clip is just there as added insurance, it'll seal up just fine without it. Recheck the line and make sure you push firmly onto the filter, you should feel and hear an audible "click" as the line locks fully into place. There's a little O-ring inside that fitting too, if it's being difficult, you could try a little shot of WD40 into the fitting or some dielectric grease around the end of the filter before trying to connect it again.

ETA - In fact, I can see from your second picture that the line is not fully seated onto the filter. Do check it ASAP, before that line pops off and creates a big mess.

 

I agree the fuel filter is not yet properly seated. You can still see the "locking ball" in the 2nd pic. Wiggle it just a little bit and the biatch should snap in.

 

well sure enough, i went down there and pushed really hard and wiggled it a tad and i hear this nice click.
THANKS A TON!
Does this look better?

 

Hells yeah! I wouldnt worry about the broken clip too much, just get a new one and fix it when you replace the filter again. I think I might cut my next filter in half to see what it looks like inside.

 

I have.

 

i plan on doing it to mine, just letting the fumes go away before i go cutting into it.

 

The last one I changed I was all ready to cut open. I put on the saftey glasses, clamped it in the vice, and got out the grinder...Luckily common sense took over and said "Hey DUMBASS it's probly not a good idea to cut a tube filled with gas in half with a grinder!!!" Then I spent the next 5 minutes looking for a hacksaw and finally said the hell with it And threw the thing out and opened another beer....

 

Stealth It looks like you opened yours with your teeth!

 

I put a slit in it with a hacksaw and peeled apart with a pair of angle cutters.

 

What brand of gas did you use? that thing is nasty!