Fuel Filter confusion

Hi-

I went to O'Reilly last night and bought a fuel filter for my 2000 Explorer (SOHC Engine VIN E). It cost all of 6 bucks. I've got some conflicting info though and I want to sort that out before proceeding...

1) The guy told me I didn't need a tool to extract the old filter. He said I just need to break off the nubs on the plastic clips and yank it out. Sound correct?

2) The filter itself suggests replacement after 10K miles. Ford always says 30K. Did I get a super cheap one or something?

3) I skimmed through the fuel filter replacement section of the Haynes manual and I it said that the filter should last the life of the car. This can't be the case can it? Is that a typo or is this for some special engine which I do not have?

Thanks a lot! You guys are awesome!

-troy

Reply to
tfandango
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I think you need the special tool because I needed mine on my 99 SOHC.

2000 should be similiar. It cost about $12 bucks at the auto store.DO NOT yank on it! I changed mine at 30K. 10K to me sounds too soon. And I don't think the fuel filter lasts the life of the car.
Reply to
Mikepier

On the "classic" Explorers (91-94) you need a special tool but I don't know if it's the same for your car. I was under the impression that my fuel filters (got 2 Explorers) were supposed to last 100K miles. I think they cost more like $30. I only changed one of them once so far. Ford may think that 100K is the life of the car ;-)

Reply to
Ulysses

On my 200 Exp Sport, I needed the tool. should be cheaper than the filter. I bought one of the $2 variety and made it work fine. Don't yank. Use the tool and do it slowly. I didn't release any fuel pressure but it still came out with minimal mess. Thanks for reminding me, now at 75k miles I think I will do mine again.

I have already done two tranny fluid changes also. I think I will start doing these at the same time. If I have it another 30k miles. but I doubt it.

Reply to
Scott Van Nest

It is after all the life of any and all extended warranties ;-)

Reply to
351CJ

My own fuel filters get changed once per year..... our winters are too nasty and our area too remote to trust to such a simple maintenance item. I certainly wouldn't go beyond 30K miles (50K kms).... if the filter becomes restricted, the extra oad can take out the fuel pump..... considerably more in cost and effort than the filter.

Worse is the way the events usually unfold.... once the badly restricted filter is changed the car *usually* runs pretty good... until we get far enough away from home for the pump failure to be an extreme PITA. This is a scene I've seen played out time and again...

HTH.

Reply to
Jim Warman

I looked at the maintenance schedule for both by 1997 and my

2003 Expeditions. The schedule called for 30,000 fuel filter changes (same schedule applies to Explorers). I seem to recall a TSB recommending a shorter interval but can't find it. I have mine changed every 25,000 miles at the same time I have the transmission fluid changed.

Regards,

Ed White

Reply to
C. E. White

I think I'll go buy a couple of fuel filters next week...

Reply to
Ulysses

Dang, me too...I have 125K and have never changed it. Duh!!!

Reply to
Kevin D

"tfandango" wrotenews:1109863276.224440.161400 @z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:

Fuel filters last practically forever if:

You buy fuel in America or Canada and not Mexico. you don't let your gas tank get down to the bitter end and stall and have to put a gallon in it to get to the gas station.

All gas stations have filters on their gas pumps and the chances of getting "bad gas" like in the old days at some Arkansas tobacco/gas/moonshine + Moonpie station is remote.

Reply to
Anastazi

the tool I bought was a scissors type of thing. ALSO :, There's allot of pressure in that system so be very careful when changing it.

Reply to
anonomizer

What I did is I pulled the fuel pump relay under the hood while the truck was running. This causes the truck to stall and the fuel lines now have no pressure in it, making it a little easier for changing the filter.

Reply to
Mikepier

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