Just completed the task. It was painful because this was my first time. Broke the blue clip.

Job is done and I'm happy!!!

 

i tried to do it today first i got the wrong tool. thanks autozone for saying this was the one i needed. and then me being a dumb *** i didnt read more into this thread before attempting so the orange clip is no longer with us lol. i broke the clip and it broke the little black piece on top right in front of the clip. i ordered part number 7L3Z-9S317-A witch i looked for online an alot of places said that is the one i need but it is a pink clip. any one know how this one goes on i dont feel like breaking this one also.

 

i got the right tool now and i still cant get the front line off. i depressurized the system by letting it sit and i put rubber line back on so i could do some thing then i got a phone call to go pick up my grandparents since there car wont start so i figured hey the system is depressurized and no gas came out before ill pop this off and put the new clip on before i go. i thought wrong. i just had 3 gallons of gas shoot out at me and hit me in the face and side of my head. i have never got out from under a truck and inside so fast in my life.

how do i get the front line off i put the tool in there and push but i cant pull the line off. can i spray it with pb blaster or some thing so it loosens the springs up?

 

7L3Z-9S317-A so they are pink did they work ..... where they hard to put in n let me ask you something did you broke this clip? I am going to give u the page and is the 3rd and 4th PICTURES



https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...-pictures.html

 

I broke that clip doing my filter change about a month ago, I could not get it to come loose for nothing. I jimmy rigged it back into it's place and it is still holding fine with no leaks. Next time I change the filter I will make sure I have a replacement clip.

 

so you just puted the broke one back lol

 

Pretty much. Not the best idea... but it is holding up fine.

 

oh lol well could you tell me if you broke the one in the 3rd and 4th picture here ..... https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...ml#post4812017

 

Yep, that's the one I broke.

 

I have to thank everyone that posted on this thread. Just did my first fuel filter change at 50k on my 2008 F150 STX 4X4 4.6L. It was a smooth, 20 min process with no issues. I had the red clip with the blue clip like 12 inches behind the red clip. Thanks to all the warnings from you guys I was extra careful not to break the clip. If I had not read this thread I would have snapped them off. I cut the filter open and the gasoline inside looked like used motor oil and the filter had all sorts of crap in it. I used the Motorcraft filter. Ford dealer wanted $23 for it. I ordered it from RockAuto.com for $9.62 with $2.00 shipping and had the thing in like 3 days. Thanks again.

 

Mine had the Blue clip and the pinch clip. Blue clip is easy, just get a small screwdriver and carefully pry the center portion up till it extends. Then get the fuel filter tool and use the small portion to push the line off. Get a rag for the excess fuel and same for the other side..too easy an I suggest about every third oil change or so..I used a Purolator filter

 

Well guys, I got my 2004 FX4 5.4L (made in VA) on Thursday night. I will keep this short & sweet knowing it's the fuel filter thread.

I have been underneath the truck for about 2 HOURS working on the changeout. In addition to needing a pillow to rest my head on, I am STRUGGLING on this filter change.

First off, my filter has a WHITE clip on the backide of the connector! It has a triangle portion on the top of it, then it has 2 prongs which go into the plastic fuel line, and also around the metal intake tube of the filter. I have been pushing down on the triangle portion w/o much luck. When i PULL UP the triangle, one of leg pieces actually came OUT (and didn't break). I thought this was great, but I still can't pul the backside of the fuel line off the filer!!! I have tried pulling the triangle piece up more to pull out the remaining leg but can't. What the hell am I doing wrong!!!?? I have never been so frustrated in my life. I have come inside and read this thread in it's entirety now. I am going NUTS. I want to pull it up and off 100% with a screwdriver as shown in the picture but do not want to break it.

Again, I have a rather large WHITE triangle piece, with 2 legs/pieces going down into the fuel line, then little ridges on those legs look like they prevent the fuel line being pulled off the filter because of the ridge/lip on the filter.

I AM GOING CRAZY. Any help would be appreciated. If it means anything, I do have a BLUE clip further back on the line to the back of the truck, but there is NO need for me to touch it because it just looks like it's an extention/connection on the fuel line. Messing with the blue clip wouldn't do anything because it's about 8" back from the fuel filter connection point.

My 'clip' is a large WHITE one. Can ANYONE help me??????????????? Pleaaase....anyone.........?

I haven't even touched the front (quick) connection yet...although I did buy the special disconnect tool for it. It's OEM brand and cost $6.00 after a military discount.

 

Sorry if this post offends any Ford employees out there, but there's nothing like MY American ingenuity (me).........UNLIKE the briliant (American?) Ford engineers? who designed the fuel filter "QUICK" disconnects. There is nothing QUICK about them!!!

After 4+ hours invested into this task, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I'm redesigning/engineering both of the fuel filter to fuel line connections. (from tank to filter, and from filter to engine) for easier and truely QUICKER follow-up service.

I am 1/2 way finished, and as Murphy's Law dictates, I need 1 more trip to the auto parts store. They are closed now. Go figure. It's not like I've been doing this the WHOLE afternoon though.

For those of you needing an alternate solution, (if you break your clips, or if you know you will be changing the filter frequently), I suggest you observe my finished product. I will upload pictures of the before and after product.

Hopefully I can finish the job this week.

STAY TUNED...

ps. In the meantime, I have 2 questions....

1) does anyone know for SURE if the fuel pump comes on if the ignition is turned to the 1st detent??? I don't want fuel dumping if I decide to push her to a different spot in the driveway.
2) can I stike the fusebox module in the passenger footwell area with the ignition OFF to 'trip' the shock sensor, so it shuts off the fuel pump???

 

If you are going to sarcastically call someone stupid you should really learn how to spell brilliant first.

I've replaced my fuel filter several times now with no issues. The quick disconnects quickly disconnect if you have the proper tool (it costs like 5 bucks) and the intelligence to properly use it.

Somehow I fail to see how spending multiple days "designing" your own system is quicker than learning how to properly operate the existing system.

... and no, I do not work for Ford...

PS: Be sure to post pictures after your new system leaks and your truck burns to a crisp!

 

Thanks again for this post! I did this today, took maybe a hour including running to the parts store for the filter and the removal tool. For some reason I overlooked this part for over 80K miles. No longer, the brown sludge comin gout of the back of the filter was enough to wake me up, I will be doing this every year.