Do I need to de-pressurize the fuel line before I replace the fue filter. I'm getting mixed info from various sites. One say something about a Schrader valve, another says just use the special tool.--Help---DirtySCREW

 

I've changed many fuel filters and have never de-pressurized anything. It does help if the vehicle has been sitting overnight or for awhile at least. It also sometimes helps to remove the gas cap too. Different vehicles react differently to all that though.

I have changed the filter on my 05 once and just went for it with the fuel line tool. A decent amount of fuel came out, but only maybe a cup or so. Not much and lots of rags were all that was needed. 10 minutes total and all done.

 

ok, mine been sitting for about 45 minutes....guess I'll dive into it---thanks---DirtySCREW

 

I don't, but you can, -it's up to you. I doesn't take long either way. I suppose if I just finished driving and wanted to change it right away, I would probably hit the shrader. Ahh, no I wouldn't lol.
I'd just change the filter, pressures never any different anyway IME, -whether I released pressure at the rail first (i use to, long ago) or not, your going to have a certain amount of residual pressure no matter what you do.

Yea, do what the others said, since it isn't a big deal anyway , - it may help , but have some rags ready when you down under. You'll get some fuel run out.

 

Ok, I'm finished. It wouldn't have been as long, but of course it started raining. So I'm on my creeper trying not to get wet, and then the outer line gave me some trouble. Its in a tight spot to begin with, and i couldn't see that well with the crappy saftey glasses on. I kept working and finally got it. I had to move the entire filter towards the back of the truck and finally had enough room to get it off. New one went on like a piece of cake..."snap" ..safety clip...."snap" safety clip. I'm gald I done it cause God only knows when it was changed last. It was rusting up on the nipples pretty bad. Well, at least its done now with a 137,9xx something I believe. I'll do it again at 150K. Thanks for all the help. Gas came out of the filter...but none "sprayed" out like what was described on some forums. The only thing I DID do was unscrew the gas cap.----DirtySCREW

 

oh god i hope there wasnt 137k on that filter. if so you my be having some fuel pump problems soon

 

nah, I don't think it was on there the entire life of the truck. The previous owner told me it had a new fuel pump put on last year; so really no worries there. But the filter definitely probably saw 40K or more. ---DirtySCREW

 

good deal, you should change it at about 15k. even tho the book says 30k i think

 

you do not need to depreasurize the line to chaneg the filter just use the ford fuel line tool and pop it off and new one on. it can be a bit of a pain getting the line to let go of the old filter but trying a few minutes will get it off. I have done a fuel filter on my 150k mile truck that was original and got it done in 10 minutes so as for needing to change your fuel filter every 30k thats not true fuel filters are designed to go at least 100k miles. one hint stay to the side of the filter when removing it gas in the eye does suck.

 

ummm........BS??? change your fuel filter at 100k and see how long it takes before you run into problems. my 1998 ranger had 80k on the fuel filter and i changed it and wound up having to put a new fuel pump in it.

my daddys 03 5.4 had 102k before he finally changed it and guess what, the SOB barely ran.

change them at about 30k like the book says. i like to keep my truck running so i change it at about 15k because of what i drive through everyday.

if you live in the city you can probably get away with 40-50k on one but NEVER would i leave one on for 100k

you must be thinking about spark plugs buddy

 

Will bad or dirty fuel filters affect mileage at all? Will my MPGs go up even slightly with the new fuel filter??---DirtySCREW

 

eh, slightly MAYBE. ive never noticed a difference when ive changed mine

 

thats wierd because I have not changed one on my 05 cavalier and it is over 100k bought it new my 99 f150 i just changed and it was at 150k miles would you like me to go on....... i cant think of many cars I have needed to change before 100k as what clogs the fuel filter usually is corosion in the tank.

 

you said they are designed to go 100k. why would the owners manual say 30k then?

i wont leave one on for 100k. you do what you want with your vehicles

 

You don't have corrosion in a plastic tank. That's what you have in a lot of vehicles anymore. I know the '04-up new body has plastic. I have known quite a few people who have had to replace fuel pumps because of not changing the filter. Gets clogged and the pump has to work too hard.