help-can't get fuel filter off '91 Navajo

[Az_NavajoRob]

Can anybody tell me the trick to getting the fuel lines off of the fuel filter on a '91 Navajo? I've removed the locking clips and there doesn't seem to be anything else holding the lines on. I've looked in Chilton's and they describe/show the "duckbill" style connectors that have the little plastic tabs sticking past the end of the fuel line that you have to compress to get the fuel line to unlock but mine have nothing there but the metal lines. Do I just pull/pry them off or am I missing something?

 

[FexplorerV8]

special tool

You wont be able to get the fuel lines off, you have to get an special tool to remove this go to autozone they will show u the tool, i cant remember the name of it, i had a 94x and i replaced the fuel pump i wasnt able to get the fuel lines without the little tool, its like 6 bucks
tell them u are getting the fuel lines off they will know what u r looking for.
Its called a Fuel/AC disconnect tool

 

[newbi]

Need to cramp those little duckbills into the expanded portion of the metal fittings then pull it apart to release the lock. Made sure the fuel pressure is released before unconnecting line or you'll get a faceful. They can be stubborn at times. Good luck

 

[FexplorerV8]

here

Most fuel lines use either a hairpin or duckbill fitting. The duckbill requires a special tool that can be purchased at your auto parts store. There is a tool for the hairpin fitting but most can be removed with needle nosed pliers and/or a standard screwdriver. A hairpin fitting is a plastic piece over the fuel line while the duckbill is a bell shaped aluminum end that fits over the fuel pump or fuel filter.

 

[Az_NavajoRob]

I'm familiar with both "duckbill" and "hairpin" types of connector and this one seems to be neither. There is no plastic "hairpin" going through the connector, nor are there the squre holes to put it through. The connector itself is all metal and there is no protruding plastic "tabs" like the "duckbill" style.

Again, this is for the fuel FILTER, someone must have changed one rescently on a 1st gen Ex and remembers how to do it.

 

[shaggsta]

I could use some help with this too on my 92 Ex. I have the little tool but it still won't seem to come off. It will twist some on the line and the tool goes in the fitting but it will not pull out. And I pull hard!

 

[glfredrick]

Ford used two different types of fuel line fittings on the Explorers and I am not sure of the year/engine breakdowns - but the filters will work with either type.

One is the "duck bill" type already mentioned - it uses a plastic clip with two legs and a "bill" on the top that sort of locks it into a clip. To release those, just gently pry up the plastic clip (can be white or black plastic) with a small screwdriver and remove it. The filter will then slide off the line. It may take just a bit of gentle tugging or twisting as there is an 0-ring inside the fitting that slides over the filter fittings that tends to get set in place somewhat.

The other type is a spring loaded intenal clip that requires a special tool to disenguage (as Fexplorer shared). The special tool can look a couple different ways - it is either "scissors shaped" with a sort of split metal tube at each end of the scissors (two different sizes - use the one that fits closest to the line size) and the other is usually a piece of plastic that is flat on one side and has a tube on the other (about the size of a quarter in diameter with the "tube part" the same size as the lines). This too is split so that you can fit it around the tube.

To use either of the internal tools, you open the split - press the tube part INTO the spring loaded coupler - and press. You will feel it slide past the spring and open the spring so that you can slide off the fuel filter. Leave the tool in place while you slide the filter out of the fuel line fitting. Once you do it - it will make perfect sense.

To reinsall, press the fittings back together (I like to lube the o-rings with vaseline (use a Q-tip), then either press the duck bill clip back into place or just press the spring-loaded ones together (no tool use to reassemble).

Here is a site so that you can see what the tool looks like. The site I chose even shows a diagram about using the scissors-type tool. BTW, the plastic ones usually come as a set for only a couple bucks and they will fit all the various spring loaded fittings that Ford (and others) use such as air conditioning, oil lines, etc.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdengi04.html

 

[DeRocha]

This Fuel filter removal thread has lots of great pictures along with a detailed write up...

 

[Az_NavajoRob]

Thanks DeRocha, that thread you refered to is awesome. I had tried a cheapo white plastic spiralock release tool but I guess I'll try the blue plastic tool instead (I've got both).

Thanks to everyone for the replies-I'll let you know how it goes. I've had these off before in my buddy's '91 EB but I couldn't remember how we got it off. Come to think of it, I think we used the blue plastice clip release tool from our collection of AC tools.

 

[Robb]

Come to think of it, I think we used the blue plastice clip release tool from our collection of AC tools.

Yep, same tool. A lot of auto parts stores sell them in packs with 4-6 different sizes, and call them Fuel / AC Line removal tools.

 

[Az_NavajoRob]

This board rocks!!!

Well, after reading the responses in this thread, I was actually excited to get home last night and try what was mentioned here. Sure enough, the little plastic tool for releasing AC spilalocks did the trick. Thanks to all who contributed to help me get back on the road!

 

[DeRocha]

Glad to see you were able to finished the job.. There are many boards on on the Web, but you'll find lots of good info right hear. The best part is most posts get answered FAST. I have posted simple questions on other boards (prior to joing here) and received a replies several days later with crappy if at all info...