Thread: Change the fuel filter?

It takes about five minutes and the only tool you need is a special fuel-release clip that you cant rent from AutoZone for about $10, which is refundable.

1.) Buy new filter and rent the fuel rail clips (I believe they are 5/16")
2.) Locate fuel filter (along drivers side frame rail, should be under bed/cab joint)
3.) Optional: Release fuel pressure via schrader valve in engine compartment.
4.) If not, lay down to the opposite side of the fuel filter, when you remove the fuel clips, it WILL spray and about 2-3 cups of gas will fall
5.) Pull from c-clamp, reinstall new filter, reattach fuel lines
6.) Turn key and let fuel pump re-pressurize fuel lines before starting (5-10 seconds)

Awesome, thanks guys! Question though, what is the fuel rail clip for, what does it clip/do? Btw, anyone know if the truck is programmed to have the check engine light come on because it's almost at 60,000 miles, just as a reminder, because mine came on today, I have 59,780 miles on it. Or is it probably just an oxygen sensor that needs replaced as it's the emission control warning thing? I don't think it's my new exhaust I put on as it's been on for about 2 weeks and around 200 miles. Any suggestions? And it's not any of the suggestions from the owner's manual, ran out of gas, loose gas cap, water in fuel, etc.

Fuel filter: Here is a thorough explanation. You have two clips that lock the filter into the fuel lines. One upstream and one downstream. They are like safety locks to prevent the real release mechanism from undoing. You remove those by hand and then slide the tool inside the fuel line hookup to disengage the line from the filter.

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/fuelfilter.php

CEL: Only comes on when the engine sensor kicks something. Nothing is "programmed" to come on at certain mileage or anything like that. There are about ~2,000 CEL codes, guessing its an O2 sensor is a 1/2000 chance. Be safe and either buy a Scan Tool (you can get them cheap and they are nice to have) or find a friend who has one OR go to AutoZone and they will scan for you. WRITE (again, WRITE) down the code and come back here for diagnosis. IIRC, AutoZone no longer "clears" them, they only read them.

It could very well be your new exhaust. Go get that CEL scanned.

Will do, and thank you very much, only problem is I won't have time to go in till Wednesday with my finals schedule, hopefully my truck doesn't break down in the next 2 days. As of right now it still drives fine, don't notice anything odd.

Got it scanned, turned out to be the EGR vavle, so I have to wait till Wednesday to get a new one in, hopefully that'll take care of the whole problem. Not certain what the code was, the shop I took it to din't tell me, but I believe it was P0401, insufficient flow.

That's why I said write it down. Shops like that like to scan the code and sell you parts to what they think will fix it.

P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient Detected

You might want to start by checking the DPFE vac hoses going to the EGR. If they get dry-rotted and/or clogged with carbon, it can set off this code. Take it apart and clean to your hearts content. Check the brittleness of all your hoses. Clear the CEL, and if it comes back, I'd change it (but ONLY it) because I think they are around $30-50.