Okay so I have a FRUSTRATING problem, for the last few hours I've been playing around with my fuel filter but I can't take it off.

I'm trying to change it for a new filter.

I have the aluminum filter tool, I got one line off with a bit of a struggle but the side facing the engine doesn't want to come off. I've used penetrating oil and the tool actually clicks the line so it should come off but it just spins and I can't seem to force it off. I don't want to pull too hard as I'm afraid I might mess up my fuel line.

I'm super frustrated and I'm at the point that I just want to work the stem that comes out of the filter back and forth to snap it off and then try to removed whatever stays in the fuel line connection.

Anybody have any ideas?

:u nsure:

 

Not sure which engine you've got, for that matter not sure where the fuel filter is on my 5.4L, but have established that it is the same filter p/n as used on my Jag S-type 3.0L and I've changed two of those. On one, I had a bit of difficulty on the downstream side as well. It is mounted under the driver's side fenderwell so not sure if I had more room or less than you to work with. I had success by pressing filter and line together, then actuating the release tool and pulling apart at the same time...took three hands and although I'm a bit weird, I only have two..but somehow managed it. For whatever reason, just inserting the release tool, getting a click and pulling apart simply didn't work like on the other side. Something about pushing them together seemed to relieve the tension.

 

thanks, i'll give that a shot, anyone have any experience with using cutting pliers to cut the stem off the filter and then try to extract it from the fitting with needle nose pliers?

 

uhhh... this keeps getting uglier. i cut the filter off but now the stem is still stuck in the fitting and it feels like i have LESS play than i did with the filter attached and I cannot get it out (and I'm F*#@ed because now I can't drive my truck).

can anyone help with the extraction? i can see clearly into the end of the fitting but I don't see any tabs at all.

i could probably crush the line a little and try to squeeze it out, i'm just affraid if i break off all the exposed tab i would have to replace the fuel line... or am i there already?

any ideas?

 

sounds like your screwed. the fuel system is the only thing I don't mess with on my truck. If I cant get it fixed I can't drive it, I always take it to the shop if there is something wrong with fuel lines. They have all the tools and parts right there to fix it and I don't have to worry about being stranded.

 

anyone know if

....i take off the plastic cover over the braided flex fuel line which attaches to the fixed rigid line before it angles upwards, is it possible to disconnect it somewhere in there and just replace the approx 1 ft of hose with the connection?

even taking it off might make it easier to work on removing the piece that's stuck but i've run out of day light at this point.

...lots of lurkers in this thread but not a lot of people commenting, surely someone knows something about this , or maybe this thread is like when there's a car accident and everyone slows down to look at it.

 

I had trouble with mine also. I just kept jiggling it and it finally popped off. I did use the plastic thingeys though, not the aluminum ones.

Wish I could be of some help to you.

 

thanks man, i'm pretty convinced the tabs inside the connector are broken... i just don't see them and I'm not sure how to take them out.

 

Okay so i finally got the broken part of the filter end out of the hose.

Basically, I took a really fine flat head screwdriver and jammed it between the end of the connector and the inner metal teeth insert that keep the filter locked on. I worked it back and forth for a while and finally broke out one of the teeth, i then went to do the other 2 teeth. After that the piece pulled out fairly easily.

Why was it stuck you may ask?

That last idiot that put the filter on did NOT use the proper filter. It had a shorter arm on one side of the filter (which it shouldn't have had) and instead of just the regular fixed washer style (i have no idea what it's actually called) connection that the fuel line clicks onto it had about 1/4 inch of gasket. I'm sure when the genius put this on it completely flattened the teeth in the connector rendering them useless (in terms of allowing the tool to compress them) and they are what caused the resistance to pull it out, I'm thinking the teeth into the rubber. ...and I'm no lightweight.

WTF is wrong with people? I would never think of adapting or 'making it work' by using the wrong parts on my truck.

Now that I have it out I'm trying to replace the teeth, someone on here said you can buy them. Ford dealership wants $89.53 for that part of the fuel line (connector, hose, etc..) and that will take a week to get from the US. Napa and the other local parts place can order something they think will work ($10 for like a pack of 5), I'm just not confident they will work. The connector that goes from the filter to the engine is slightly smaller than the one that goes from the tank to the filter. But I think both lines are 5/16th, they were going to order the 1/4" clips since I needed something smaller than the 5/16th they had in stock, I'm afraid that even if it sits in the connector it wouldn't be good to used a 1/4" if it slows the flow of the fuel at all.

Short of getting those teeth I will have to replace the line.

So now my question is anyone ever had to replace the teeth?