Where is my fuel filter on 2000 5.0?

[meyaya]

I bought a filter for my Explorer. It has 2 outlets. The filter in the frame rail under the driver's seat has 3 outlets. 2 in the rear and 1 in the front. The filter on the rig is also fatter. I looked up the part from Motorcraft, Purolator and Fram and they all have 2 outlets. Am I looking at the right filter on the Explorer?

 

[spta97]

On my 2000 5.0 AWD I had the fuel filter with one input and one output. You have to really get under the truck to see it because it is tucked in there. Mine was a little towards the back of the driver area and up in the body pretty good from what I remember. Unless something is different with our trucks I think you are looking at the wrong one.

Another thing is you need the tool to remove the hose from the fuel filter on both ends. I got one from Autozone that had a variety of plastic tools that you can stick in to remove the hose (it uses a mechanical clip not just a friction fit). I think they are commen to fuel injection systems. You should also kill the fuel switch and let the engine die and release the gas cap to remove any pressure in the line. If you search you should be able to find pictures of everything I said - that's where I got the info when I changed mine.

 

[spta97]

A Haynes manual also has good pics - worth picking up for the X for $15.

 

[meyaya]

Hello spta97, I have the Haynes manual and will look again. One of the lines going into the fat filter even says caution: fuel line. Thanks for the reply and I will look some more.

 

[Robb]

Another thing is you need the tool to remove the hose from the fuel filter on both ends. I got one from Autozone that had a variety of plastic tools that you can stick in to remove the hose (it uses a mechanical clip not just a friction fit).

I just wanted to bump this quote. Don't even begin the fuel filter replacement procedure without the removal tools. You will regret it if you do.

 

[spta97]

In my manual (Ford Explorer 1991 - 2001) it's on page 1-24. The picture they show has a cage around the filter - mine did not.

 

[spta97]

I'm in a good mood so I snapped a pic. It's more like where the driver's foot well is. About 1 foot in from the door.

 

[spta97]

I just wanted to bump this quote. Don't even begin the fuel filter replacement procedure without the removal tools. You will regret it if you do.

VERY TRUE!!! They are only a couple of bucks at AutoZone. The plastic ones work fine but just make sure you have your crappy clothes on - you will get gas on yourself.

 

[meyaya]

The strange filter I have is in the same place. It is about 2 inches left of the rusty front drive shaft just like yours. I could not figure out how to attach a picture but will e-mail it to you. Maybe you could post it for me. Thanks for your help so far!

 

[spta97]

No problem, but I think that is the exhaust pipe (not totally sure). The drive shaft is more towards the middle of the truck.

Oh, I got mine used so I take no blame for the rust! It was included as a no-cost option

 

[spta97]

The shiny silver thing in the pic is the transmission pan.

 

[meyaya]

I got mine used from my mother-in-law. 22,000 miles in 4 years but they never garaged it and only used it twice a week. It has a little rust under it too! I will be calling a Ford dealer this week and ask them about the filter. It really does look like the same place as yours. I did see your other posts about gas mileage and Seafoam. I have been getting pinging lately at 60-80 miles an hour going up slight grades. I cleaned the MAF sensor and ran Techron in it. I also disconnected the battery to reset computer. Then I ran it hard. It is much better but not totally fixed. My MPG is about 12-13 around town and 18-19 at 70-75 mph with not too many steep hills. My computer shows up to 22 mpg but it is too optimistic. I wonder how many people are using the computer as their mpg numbers on this site? Not too many highway miles on my X so it may be carbon in the combustion chamber causing pinging. Everything is stock on mine except I put a 180 thermostat in it. Again, thanks for your help and time. I will let you know when I really find the right location of the filter.

 

[spta97]

I would kill for 18-19 MPG. I've tried techron and seafoam and the fuel filter etc. nothing works. How many miles do you have?

 

[meyaya]

It has 29,000 miles. I bought it with 20,000 on it. Had a '93 before this one. The 2000 has more road noise than the '93. It may be the Goodyear tires on the 2000. How noisy is yours and what tires do you have?

 

[spta97]

Not too noisy. I can really only hear it when I'm near a highway divider. I recently got a set of Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos. They are good tires but I have not run them in the snow yet.

Regarding your pinging try the Seafoam. I used the brake booster line (for lack of a TB vac line on my 5.0) and it seemed to work very well. More, smoother power.

Also, if you are looking for a spare set of Goodyear Wranglers in 255/70/16 I've got a set with 10/32's tread that I'll let go CHEAP.

 

[meyaya]

Thanks but I'll pass on the tires. I finally got the right fuel filter for it. The right filter is for a 2002 Explorer Sport or Sport Trac or something like that. I think it was put on by Ford at the factory. It was a late 2000 model. Maybe that had something to do with it. The filter was a royal pain the ass. The 1/4 fittings came of Okay but the 3/8" vent line took some persuasion with a screwdriver once the tool was in. I may never do it again. I will have to see how it runs.

 

[spta97]

Gotta love Ford. I guess they ran out of the 2000 filters and dipped into the later model ones

Where does the vent line go to? I wonder if this setup has anything to do with your better than me mileage? Although this weekend I got about 14.5 MPG highway! Pretty sad that I'm excited about that

 

[meyaya]

The vent line goes to the gas tank. I really don't know what it is. Gas did come out of it when I pulled it off. I doubt that has any thing to do with the mileage. I think you have done all you could unless you are a leadfoot. It may be time to have the dealer do a diagnosis. My cars rarely go to the dealer but it may be time. Good luck!

 

[spta97]

I was already at the dealer and they couldn't find anything. After the Seafoam treatment my peronal best has gone up to 14.5 MPG! Granted, that was mostly highway but I'm still really happy with it. Come spring time when they change over the gas formula I hope to get more.

If you haven't run Seafoam I highly sugguest it. It gave me more power and better mileage. I'm also running it in all my yard equipment now (acts as a gas stabilizer as well). The other thing that really helped the car was the AAMCO transmission flush. That really smoothed out the shifting and gave me about 1 MPG in fuel increase. I'm gonna have my g/f's RX300 get the tranny flush and I'm gonna do the Seafoam as well.