Changing the fuel filter

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters,

I have a question about fuel filters on diesel Ford pickups. I have a 2002 PSD 7.3L. The maintenence recommendations suggest fuel filter changes every 15,000 miles. I have 57,500 on my truck and have had the filter changed three times, pretty well on schedule. First, if I run a fuel treatment, such as Power Service, do I still need to change the fuel filter EXACTLY on time, or can I go a bit further? Second, would I know with engine performance or mileage whether the filter is in bad shape or not? So far, if anything my truck is doing better on mileage, etc. It seems this would be impossible if the filter were really compromised. Finally, how does one change this? I have had it changed by my dealer each time, at a substantial labor charge. If I had explicit instructions and recs on what tools, if any, I need, I would like to try to do it myself. I just do not want it to leak. After the second change, even my dealer did not get the filter properly seated, and it leaked a little, requiring a return trip. Since I have very long work hours it would be better if I could change it myself, provided it is not too hard to do.

John M

 

[tractorsanmore]

ok , first off when to change it kinda depends on the quality of fuel your buying , you really wont know this ( how dirty etc.. ) until you start changing them yourself , but with clean fuel I don't see any problem extending the change intervals . Your truck should have a water in fuel light in the dash somewhere , then you know for sure you need to change it pronto , water is not good . It is very easy to change the filter on your truck . 1st buy a good quality filter ( motorcraft ) is what I would recomend , most parts suppliers have that brand . It has the instuctions in the package . you need a 14 mm socket i think to remove the black cover on top of the engine that says 7.3 diesel or powersroke on it. Undr that there is a round black plastic fuel filter housing . The cover or top of it screws off . What i use to remove it is a good filter wrench , same size as the one to remove your oil filter ( on your truck ) A good filter wrench has a swivel handle which helps . Once you have the filter out look into the bowl and see if the filter bowl and the fuel is clean , if not threre is a drain valve lever on the left side behind the housing ( look for a yellow lever ) it only moves a quarter turn . drain the bowl , an if needed you can buy a can of carb cleaner or something like it and spray it out read directions on the o-rings that are supplied with filter , one goes on the bottom of the filter and one you lay on the top of filter bowl , ( lube it first ) the flat edge on this o-ring goes face down , ( bevel goes up ) carefully install the lid by hand clockwise , making sure not to cross thread ( its plastic ) then tighten it with the filter wrench , making sure the o-ring stays put . once lid is tight , turn on the ignition key ( don't start ) and check for leaks . Install cover and your done .

 

[jcmseven]

Thank you very much on the good reply. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but just have never had the need to do this particular task. I wanted to make sure before I got started I had everything I need and am unlikely to encounter any hitches. Your help has been greatly appreciated. Thank you.

John M

 

[deereman64]

I changed the fuel filter on my jd yesterday after 157 hours. I was embarrassed by the amount of dirt that had accumulated.

 

[cp1969]

You can run a fuel filter until the engine loses power. There is no bypass, so no dirty fuel is going to get admitted to the injection system.

However, I would not do that. First of all, you will lose power at the most inopportune moment--guaranteed. Second, the Powerstroke uses very expensive injectors. I do not know this, but if there is any chance that they need a good flow of fuel through them for cooling, etc., then a restricted filter might cause problems.

I would not extend the 15K interval, especially if there is any chance of having to operate in cold weather.

 

[markct]

the company i work for has alot of F450 pickups which have the 7.3 and we change the filters every fall regardless of hours or milage. we have our own fueling facilities so we are getting pretty clean fuel, a fresh tractor trailer load of fuel about every two weeks. when we change the filters there is rarely any dirt in them. we changed to hastings filters not too long ago, they are realy nice cause they come with the top threaded cap with the oring in it and everything and its held captive to the filter itself, they are about the same price as wix ordinary filter too, makes filter changes fast and easy. no picking out the old o ring and cleaning the cover, just take out the old one and screw in the new one

 

[Soundguy]

I'd like to add that a fuel additive will in no way 'increase' the capacity of the filter for catching dirt. Flow and capacity will be a function o fthe media. If you get bad quality fuel.. you will go thru more filters. if you used 'perfect' fuel.. you might get multiples of change out periods per filter.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[dmccarty]

John,

I have a 2002 PSD as well. Tractorsandmore gave good instructions. Its really easy to change the fuel filter. Conceptually at least.

Sometimes, most of the time, the lid on the fuel filter is a bugger to get off. I have a good 2 inch scar on my hand where the strap wrench slipped and I cut myself on the threaded bolts that hold up the "Powerstroke" cover that is on top of the engine. The cover has to be removed to get to the fuel filter cover. When you remove the cover you will see the tall bolts that can slice you up. If you take the nuts that held down the cover and put them back on the bolts while you change the filter you can give yourself a little bit of protection.

You lube the gasket with diesel fuel before installing.

There are two kinds of fuel filters out there that I know about. There is the type that came with the truck and then there is another that has the lid built into the filter. I always get the OEM style filter.

I have looked for a T handle tool that would fit the filter lid but I have not found one. A strap wrench works, its just can be tight fit on the engine if the lid is on real tight.

I change my filter on schedule and get them, believe it or not, from my JD dealer.

Its easy to change the filter, remove the two bolts to the Powerstroke cover, and then remove the filter lid. That is the hard part. Drain the water from the bowel, put in the new filter and gaskets, there are two. One is an O ring that is on the filter itself and you might have to put it on the filter. Then just put the lid and cover back on. If the lid is not on too tight its real easy to do.

Later,
Dan

 

[HGM]

First off regarding the mileage, I'd stick with it, at leat for a while.. This way you can get a feel for how dirty they get. The 7.3 wasnt quite as particular to fuel pressure as the 6.0L. If you run a 6.0L with low fuel pressure(clogged filter), as little as 43psi(45 is bare minimum), you WILL kill the injectors.. The PowerStroke will make up for lack of pressure by increasing the pulse width(on time) of the injector, so you may not see a lack of power in most cases with a marginally clogged filter.

As for the aftermarket filters that come with the cap, I strongly recomend against them.. You will at some point end up with a situation where the aftermarket filter will short your fuel heater and leave you stranded or just leak.. When its towed to the dealer for "stalled while driving" the tech will sell you a new filter and factory cap($100) along with any other damage it caused.. I'm a firm believer in the factory equipment for any vehicle, I'm just more familliar with the Fords.