Fuel Filter changed, what a difference!

[adarkang]

Well I finally got around to changing my fuel filter today. I must say that this was definately a smart move on my part. I ended up buying the metal tool for removing the fuel filter and that ended up breaking but I found a way to get the filter off with the broken pieces. Once I got the filter off, I turned it upside down and drained it and I couldnt believe the amount of sediment and chunks of stuff dropping out. My truck has 91,000 miles on it and it had a rough idle before I changed the filter, now it idles as if it just left the showroom. I guess the main reason I posted this thread was to remind people to not forget about changing their fuel filter. Also, buy the plastic tool instead of the metal one.

 

[aldive]

Did you happen to cut the filter open?

 

[adarkang]

Yes I did, here's the thing I always manage to bust open my knuckles when I work on my truck, no matter the job. This time I didnt bust one knuckle and me being the curious guy that I am I had to cut the filter open to see what it looked like and in the process, all I can say is that metal is SHARP. I ended up slicing my finger pretty bad, but I guess it was worth it to see how clogged up the filter was.

 

[aldive]

Please post pictures of the dissected filter.

Thanks ....

 

[adarkang]

Well here are the pictures. I actually just dug it up out of the trash, so all of the debris that was in the filter has fallen out since it dried up.

 

[Glacier991]

Thanks for taking the time to share that info... that's what makes this site so great !

 

[ExplorerDMB]

good post. The black sediment - that scratches off with your finger doesn't it? A guy at work has an older F150 which has, I believe, two fuel filters and the one that was behind the engine block he never changed. Well it bit him in the butt one day and when he took it out it looked similar to yours.

-Drew

 

[adarkang]

good post. The black sediment - that scratches off with your finger doesn't it? A guy at work has an older F150 which has, I believe, two fuel filters and the one that was behind the engine block he never changed. Well it bit him in the butt one day and when he took it out it looked similar to yours.

-Drew

Yeah it does rub off slightly but not all of it. It seems as if it is lodged into the filter.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

I ended up slicing my finger pretty bad>Arr yes the wonders of working on Automobiles. Changed my brothers Camshaft a few weeks ago for an Aftermarket “Stage one” set up.I busting up 3 of my knuckles, 1 HLA and 2 shims diapered off the face of the planet (luckily we had spars). Not on a Explorer, Australian car, engines a Inline 4.0ltre 6

Then wile I was showing somebody else how to install the upgraded valve sprigs on there car, my brothers new rocker cover gasket leaked and shot oil all over the extractors on number 1&2 cylinders and the f**king back of the engine caught fire, luckily he had just pulled up as it happened and we jumped on it quickly and no damage was done.

Upon closer inspection of the new gasket after it was taken off, it was meant for his car but was a slightly different design that would easily and did allow a leak to form, so back on with the old rubber gasket and it didn’t leak.

 

[wee]

Dumb question. 01 Sport, where is my fuel filter?

 

[410Fortune]

Looks like you used your teeth to open that filter

That is the OEM Motocraft unit correct?

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

adarkang, did your truck exhibit symptoms similar to what I'm describing in the below link?
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158612

Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't know how you cut that filter open, but next time use either a pipe cutter, exhaust pipe cutter, tubing cutter, chain cutter, or a hacksaw! That thing looks like it exploded. How did you open it up? Why was a plastic fuel line tool stronger than a metal one?

 

[Equnoxe]

is there two fuel filters? i was only away of the one under the driver. were is the second one?

 

[fixxxer]

On the 1st Gen X's and I'm pretty sure 2nd Gen X's too, there is only one fuel filter. There is also a screen in the tank, the fuel-pump tube pickup screen. It will keep big chunks of debris getting into the pump but the smaller, sedimentary stuff will pass through the system until it hits the actual fuel filter.

 

[aldive]

There is only one fuel filter.

 

[Equnoxe]

ah ok thx.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

good info! Thanks for showing us you cut open filter!

 

[ramren16]

wee Dumb question. 01 Sport, where is my fuel filter?

look under the drivers side next to the frame you sit right above it