[Trango]

Hey never changed my filter, I looked in my owners manuel and it was pretty vague, I need a step by step write up on draining the water and changing the filter. I tried to search with know luck. Also I noticed the owners manuel said that a "fuel filter" and "water Fuel" light should come on when I turn the key to start. Mine does not do this, how about you guys...Thanks

 

[T-ROD]

Heres what you need to do:
First you need to get up on the bumper and be able to look down on top of the filter housing (right in the center of the engine with a black cap). The cap may have a square cutout for a 3/8 ratchet or it may have slots in it for a bar layed side ways to fit in and be turned. Dont take it off yet.
Right under that cap on the side of the filter housing is a little yellow lever youll need to pull it towards you (i think) or whatever way it will go and youll hear fuel start pouring out the bottom of the engine (make sure you push it back the way it was before starting the truck). Once this stops you can remove the black cap and the filter should come out with the cap. Take the cap off the filter, replace the o rings and put the new filter on the cap and the installation is in reverse.
P.S. take a look inside the filter housing to make sure nothing is left in there so you dont break anything when you put the filter back in.
When you first go to start it, it may take awhile to start since you drain all the juice out of the filter housing, this is normal.
As for the lights not coming on mine dont stay on very long but they do come on if yours arent you might want to look to see if the lights arent burnt out or something along that route.

 

[Trango]

What type of filter should I replace it with? I was planning on just using a napa filter but don't mind buying something better..

 

[T-ROD]

I dont prefer wix because I have had pieces of the filter get stuck around the shaft that goes through the middle of the filter. I get my filters from Inland Truck Parts for about 23 dollars which is much cheaper than wix. Any name brand filter will do a good job just dont get something from the bargain shelf at walmart, better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Trango]

OK so I got a filter and went to change it today, I noticed that the heater in the bottom seems to be broken. The little tack welds where the wire attaches to the plate under the filter have come loose. Will the heater still work, should I just ignore it or replace it. Is Ford my best bet on finding a new one. What exactly does this heater do for me. Does it just heat the fuel for start up or what ???????thanks

 

[CHUCK]

You should replace it, or depending on the temps in your area, unplug it. If the tack welds are broke, sooner or later, it will cause a short, and pop a mega fuse (#22 I think) and your truck will not start. Theres a thread somewhere here, thats about changing the heater element to a newer style, thats not as liable to break.

 

[T-ROD]

I second chuck's statement on changing your fuel heater. It can and will short out a mega fuse and leave you stranded on the side of the road. That is exactly why I dont use wix filters anymore. the bottom stayed in the filter housing and when I put the new one in the old bottom pressed down on the heater and broke it which shorted out several fuses and left me on the side of the road in the dead of winter. So again replace it. I usually dont like to go to dealerships if I can help it. I would just ask different shops including the dealerships and see who will do it for less.