Unusual Fuel Line Problem

[OVERKILL700HP]

To make a long story short,
My friend and I tried to change the fuel filter on my 94 X.
I've done many on my old fox body mustang, but this was a 1st on the explorer.
The undercarriage is extremely rusty and the truck was basically neglected by the previous owners.
Anyway, I did have the proper fuel line disconnect tool.
1 side of the filter came off while the other side wouldn't.
We tried everything. What we finally did was cut the fuel filter off at the tip, which left a piece inside of the fuel line.
We were then able to see what was hindering the filters removal.
The person who owned the truck before me or his mechanic, fugged up the duckbill spring.
We had to use a screwdriver to remove the remaining fuel filter piece from the fuel line, which in turn, ripped out the duckbill spring.
My question is, is the duckbill spring replaceable?
Should I just replace that small section of fuel line?
Also, how much fuel pressure is actually at the filter?
All information is greatly appreciated.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site.
Here is a Fuel filter removal thread you will enjoy (lots of pictures and detailed write up). Anyway the Garter springs are definitely replaceable and carried by many auto parts stores. One end of my fuel line fitting would not come out for me. Know matter how I uses the fuel line tool I just couldn't get it to contact all the garter springs at once... I ended up pulling the fitting out real hard and braking some of the garter spring "fingers" in the process. I then uses needle nose pliers to pull the garter spring out and bent it back in position.

 

[OVERKILL700HP]

Derocha,

Thanks for the warm welcome.
Is there another name for the garter springs? What size spring do I need?
How much pressure is actually at the filter area?

 

[DeRocha]

They are called fuel line Garter Springs and I have personally seen them at Napa autoparts... The fuel systemp pressure is about 35psi...
Garter Spring

 

[410Fortune]

Pep boys, car quest, Checker, they all should have them. You just need a Ford Garter spring, ford fule fittings, they come in a little cardboard package with the plastic window on the front. Why Ford used those for the filter I will never know, my 88 uses the old white clips and they work perfect, not a leak in 287K miles and the white clips come witht he new filter

The lid from a chapstick can be modified to work sometimes better then the disco tool.

 

[OVERKILL700HP]

They are called fuel line Garter Springs and I have personally seen them at Napa autoparts... The fuel systemp pressure is about 35psi...
Garter Spring

According to the Ford Factory Manual CD ( the pic on the CD), I found out that I don't have the "garter springs". The CD didn't say what I had though.
The Haynes manual has a picture of what they describe as "duck bill clips".
This is what I have.
Anyway, I finally found them at Advanced. When I called on the phone, they said that they didn't have them.
I decided to go down there to be sure, they were in that help section.
$6 for 3 of them.
I can't beleive that Ford used different fuel line connectors. It seems that it would be easier to stick with just 1 type for the 1st generation.
This really has been an annoyance, trying to figure out what type of clips my truck uses.
I'll install them after lunch and post back later.
I want to thank DeRoche for his help.
I really appreciate it.

 

[OVERKILL700HP]

Here's the information on the part I used.
Dorman Quick Disconnect Ford 10.5 mm Retaining Clip,
Part# 800-007.
It was bought at Advanced Auto Parts.