With all the people saying to change the fuel filter and the pics of rusty elements, I decided to see for myself how bad mine would be. The pics are as follows...

The filter case was as clean as I hoped.

The filter element was also clean looking...no discoloration.

My truck just rolled over 12,000 miles. All those miles have been with either Texaco or Exxon premium gas. The gas stations I got the gas from have been from Dallas, Austin, and Fort Hood area...so that covered a pretty broad area. I'm not trying to promote Texaco or Exxon, I'm just saying thats what I use and this is what my filter looks like. One little tip for those who havent done this yet...or those who have.

Used this 8oz cool whip bowl to catch the excess fuel that dripped out. Fit perfectly underneath the grey line and held it in place. No spills.

 

mine looked the same after 25k miles. but better safe than sorry.

 

I'm at 23000, and just did my 2nd fuel filter. Both were spotless, like you said, better safe than sorry.

 

Changed twice in 30k both times clean as a wistle.
Seems like someone who told me different needs to do a new poll

 

I did feel a little bit of difference in the way she drove...but that was probably in my head. I think the truck is faster when she's clean too

 

I didnt cut mine open, but just changed mine at 30k and you could not blow through it....

 

mine got clogged only after 12k, cheap premium has trash floating around in it or something, almost like i bought it in mexico. so now all i use is exxon or texaco/shell

 

Mine got clogged after 5K miles.

 

is there any certain fuel filter people recommmend or just motorcraft? Autozone only carries the Deustch?

 

This is from Mike Troyer:

By the way, you'll want to steer clear of Exxon. It's a clean burning fuel, but it's very low in it's actual BTU content (energy), so you'll get 8%-10% worse mileage and less performance from Exxon compared to many other brands. Exxon went "reformualted" year-round in all 50 states several years ago, and ever since it's gone way downhill in terms of energy content, which can have a noticeable impact on performance & mileage. Which is why Harley-Davidson advised their owners not to use it a couple of years ago.

Dan

 

Change them,, You can't see whats in them, there are not clear plastic... Don't take a chance on such a cheap maintance item.........

PEacE...............

 

I've been buying mine from fordpartsonline for $11.61
That's a motorcraft FG872
I had to buy some other parts so Ijust added them onto the order.

I was asking about a good filter remover tool instead of those plastic ones and was told if I see a matco or snap-on tool truck to stop and ask them. I guess they sell the good ones.

 

Personally i have noticed no matter where you go to fill up if the tanker was just there and stirred up the tank chances are you will put what was setteled on the bottom of the tank in your truck.
I installed a fuel pressure guage on mine to monitor the fuel at idle it is 32 psi and wt WOT it is about 48 psi if i see a decrease the filter will get changed

 

Fixing to change mine today. Maybe I'll try to open it. My last one was a bit hard to blow out of. All I use is Texaco, Chevron, and Exxon.

Thanks for the tip on the tub size to use underneath, will save my garage floor from getting dirty.

 

No, part # is FG-986B.