Fuel Filter Change

[Stark77]

I just changed mine today. It still had a ford fuel filter on(and I'm at 70k miles). I bought it when it had come in off a 5 yr lease, so hopefully that's just a sign that the owner had been taking it in for regular service (the engine WAS rebuilt at 60k miles) - or it's a sign it has never been changed. Hopefully its the first scenario. Anyhow, when I tilted the old filter over, it was clear gas for a second or two and then came this nasty brown s*** followed by a blackish brown sludge. I hope this means my gas mileage will improve now, I was getting about 240 miles per tank with fairly casual driving. Is this normal stuff to see when removing a fuel filter - is this normal stuff for gas mileage with the mods I have?

 

[68stang351]

I took mine off at bout 58K, and I hate to say it but I think it might have been original, or close to it.

Mine did the same thing yours did, but I couldn't even blow through it. The car runs a lot better now.

 

[Stark77]

Did a 50 mile test run today, all city, used 2.45 gallons. That worked out to almost 20.5 miles per gallon! I've never gotten mileage that good out of my car, as it's an automatic.

 

[timeless2]

A 5 year lease return that was rebuilt at 60K? Sounds kind of scary. :/

 

[streethorse]

I dont think the original owner was doing regular maintainance or any
maintainance. You should replace all fluids in the trans, rear end, brake system.

 

[GettinThere]

I dont think the original owner was doing regular maintainance or any
maintainance. You should replace all fluids in the trans, rear end, brake system.

+1 Assume it hasn't been done.

And if you spray, replace your fuel filter more often than the scheduled 30k mile interval.

 

[Stark77]

Trans and rear end fluids were replaced withing the first week I had it. I also did a full coolant system flush and replaced my O2's and MAF. I didn't ask any questions about the rebuild of the engine, the carfax was clean as a whistle. I didn't even notice it until I had already paid cash for it and left the next day - opened the hood and looked at the lower block and saw date and mileage and ?initials/sig? scribbled on with some brown ink/paint. I drive it very hard and it hasn't even hesitated once on me. The florida heat/humidity is pretty intense, wouldn't be totally uncommon for a leasee to forget a few oil changes and end up on the side of I-95 with smoke billowing from the hood. I see it every day!

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

This is funny. I just replaced the ORIGINAL Motorcraft filter on my 107,000 miles 97 F150. The gas was black as could be. I usually got about 270 miles to 21 gallons when the Low Fuel Light came on. The last two tanks I got 305 miles to 21 gallons when the Low Fuel Light came on. I was pretty happy.

I just replaced the original Delco filter in my girls 02 Grand Prix. 72K. Black gas in that one too. Haven't got half a tank through it yet, but hopefully it will improve as well.

 

[2000fordstanggt]

ive had a new filter sitting in the box for about a month now..ya'll convinced me to get out there and change it!

 

[Stark77]

Haha - awesome! Let me know what type of improvements you see. With my mileage going from about 17 city to 20.5 city ( about 18% improvement) the filter will pay for itself on the first full tank of gas!

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Heck yeah, do it to it!!

 

[40th GT]

Mine was about 15-20k old when I changed it and there was still brown liquid coming out of it.
Since they're cheap and easy to replace, I'll change it more often.

 

[snowb07]

for a ten minute job it is well worth it.

 

[twogts4us]

Do you know for a fact that the motor was actually rebuilt? It sounds like a junkyard motor (with paint markings and such...)

 

[COramprat]

Do you know for a fact that the motor was actually rebuilt? It sounds like a junkyard motor (with paint markings and such...)

X2

Probably out of a wrecked car but usually the ink marks are from a junkyard car. The mileage written is what the replacement engine had on it.

 

[BlkStallion03]

Is there a write up anywhere on changing the fuel filter?

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Is there a write up anywhere on changing the fuel filter?

It's fairly simple. You go under there with a flat head and loosen the clamp around the filter. Then you need the fuel line removal tool...(Murrays) Insert the tool inside the disconnect fittings on the fuel lines and then they will slide off. There isn't much detail I can give. It's pretty easy. Make sure you have jack stands under the car...never go under there with just a jack.

 

[Stark77]

Rebuild hopefully, bought from reputable Ford Dealership here - old schoolmate's father owns it, so I would hope they wouldn't do me like that. I'll check the numbers on the block when I get home. Took it in for the dyno tune right the next day after I bought it and they were actually the ones that pointed it out to me.

 

[timeless2]

Is there a write up anywhere on changing the fuel filter?

http://bullittarchive.com/1009.htm

 

[twogts4us]

Rebuild hopefully, bought from reputable Ford Dealership here - old schoolmate's father owns it, so I would hope they wouldn't do me like that. I'll check the numbers on the block when I get home. Took it in for the dyno tune right the next day after I bought it and they were actually the ones that pointed it out to me.

No offense, and yes there are some very reputable dealerships out there, but...

most would rape their own mother and smile while doing it, making her think that she wanted it. They are your new best friend til you drive off the lot.