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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

fuel filter

  • Thread starter Thread starter 2000V8
  • Start date Start date May 23, 2004
2

2000V8

New Member
Aug 4, 2003
85
0
0
Daytona
May 23, 2004
#1
  • May 23, 2004
  • #1
Just came to mind, iv never changed my fuel filter. Iv got a 00 GT with 55K.
How often does it need to be changed?
Is is something I can do my self? I have only basic tools.
where is it? hard to get to?
When ever I go to get my oil changed they always try to sell me one, installed, for $30. How much is the filter?
Also are those fuel system cleaners worth anything?
Thanks
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
May 23, 2004
#2
  • May 23, 2004
  • #2
according to the manual they say to do it every 30k miles. i try to do mine every 15k miles. on a mustang it is located in front of the differential by the gas tank. you need a special tool to get it off, but those are available at almost any parts store for no more than $10, you will pay more if you get a snap-on or other over priced tool company one. i remember paying $8 for a motorcraft one. to get to it you would have to jack up the rear with the jack on the centre of the diff, then put jackstands on the axle tubes. and crawl underneath, pull off the lines with the tool and just replace it.

some of the fuel system cleaners work, some dont. i use the techron, that works well.
 
J

johnnyboy1111

New Member
Apr 27, 2004
84
0
0
May 23, 2004
#3
  • May 23, 2004
  • #3
they get pretty dirty I've put about 4 in 100,000 miles , its not as easy as the 5.0 , you need a spring release tool about $5 , you press them in untill you hear the spring snap the pull the line out, watch for gas dripping into your face...you can press the fuel schrader valve or hit the trunk safty fuel shut off and let the car run out of gas....I would say every 20,000 would be a good bet as the filter is not near as big as the 5.0....good luck...
 

Ruckus46Gt

Member
Nov 26, 2003
385
0
16
Long Island
May 23, 2004
#4
  • May 23, 2004
  • #4
what kind of filer is everyone using ford or is there anything better?
 

pinski

Founding Member
Mar 17, 2002
710
0
16
North Carolina
May 23, 2004
#5
  • May 23, 2004
  • #5
I replaced mine a couple months ago for the first time in about 20k miles. Not too difficult but nowhere near as easy as the oil filter

Definitely look out for gas dripping in your face If you know what you're diong it will only take probably 10 minutes or so, but it took me half an hour
 

GOLDENPONY

Founding Member
Jan 23, 2002
1,503
0
36
LOVELAND, OHIO
May 23, 2004
#6
  • May 23, 2004
  • #6
I usually use a Purolator
 

StangerZipper

New Member
May 12, 2004
19
0
0
New Orleans
May 23, 2004
#7
  • May 23, 2004
  • #7
It is smart to replace your fuel filter every 10k miles... because i just bought a 98 gt and it had 29000 on it.. brought it to the mechanic and he said the filter was clogged so bad.. he put a new one on and i have noticed a increase in power and better gas mileage ..... its by the gas tank close to the rear axle. i went from 175 miles a tank to 215 miles a tank in the city
as well with the fuel treatment for 1.29 a bottle..
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
May 23, 2004
#8
  • May 23, 2004
  • #8
I can't get my filter off
 

smokin'Red35th

Member
Jan 9, 2004
493
0
16
Las Vegas, NV
May 23, 2004
#9
  • May 23, 2004
  • #9
johnnyboy1111 said:
they get pretty dirty I've put about 4 in 100,000 miles , its not as easy as the 5.0 , you need a spring release tool about $5 , you press them in untill you hear the spring snap the pull the line out, watch for gas dripping into your face...you can press the fuel schrader valve or hit the trunk safty fuel shut off and let the car run out of gas....I would say every 20,000 would be a good bet as the filter is not near as big as the 5.0....good luck...
Click to expand...
if you hit the fuel shut off, how do you turn it back on? does it reset itself after you turn the car off?
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
May 24, 2004
#10
  • May 24, 2004
  • #10
theres a button you press on the shutoff switch. the way i used to turn it off to do the injector cleaning things is to just bash the shutoff box with a ratchet till it pops, then after i was done just push the button. the button shouldnt be able to be pushed unless something caused it to turn the fuel system off.
 

JonJon

Founding Member
Aug 16, 2002
4,801
1
68
back in Marylands
May 24, 2004
#11
  • May 24, 2004
  • #11
http://www.bullittarchive.com/Maintenance/fuel_filter/
 
J

johnnyboy1111

New Member
Apr 27, 2004
84
0
0
May 24, 2004
#12
  • May 24, 2004
  • #12
gas filter

to the guy who cant remove filter, it takes a little fooling around sometimes ...you must push the spring tool & at the same time press the line in & then pull when you feel the spring click...spray the inlets with CRC or WD40 before you start if you have never changed it...they get stuck....also when you do get it out hold it level and then pour into a clean cup or glass you will be shocked at all the mud water that comes out....auto zone are about $7 each they are made in the USA....I quit buying purilator as here they were charging $12 ....I always keep a spare in the trunk....maybe 10,000 miles is a good idea the last time I changed it after about maybe 17,000 miles it was full of mud water & tried to blow thru it ....it was almost clogged shut...... the 5.0 had a better system with the clips & a much bigger filter.....
 

Red mustang Gt 46

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2001
601
0
16
Good ol' Maryland
May 24, 2004
#13
  • May 24, 2004
  • #13
The proper way to disable the fuel cutoff switch is to disconnect it, pushing the button resets it (in other words, don't push it). Once you've done this, start the car until it dies, this relieves the fuel line pressure. Place the fuel line disconnect tool in, have rags ready...and bam, it's off. Once your finished (new filter installed, fuel cutoff connected), place the key in the ignition and turn the switch on but do not start the car, this pressurizes the fuel system...now check for any leaks. No leaks, start the car...your done.
 
T

try2catchmy99

New Member
Apr 23, 2003
229
0
0
Fort Worth, Texas
May 24, 2004
#14
  • May 24, 2004
  • #14
I us a WIX filter, no problems.
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
May 24, 2004
#15
  • May 24, 2004
  • #15
motorcrafts are cheap at www.partsamerica.com
 
0

02bigdaveGT

New Member
Apr 27, 2004
45
0
0
North Carolina
May 24, 2004
#16
  • May 24, 2004
  • #16
bdcardinal said:
according to the manual they say to do it every 30k miles. i try to do mine every 15k miles. on a mustang it is located in front of the differential by the gas tank. you need a special tool to get it off, but those are available at almost any parts store for no more than $10, you will pay more if you get a snap-on or other over priced tool company one. i remember paying $8 for a motorcraft one. to get to it you would have to jack up the rear with the jack on the centre of the diff, then put jackstands on the axle tubes. and crawl underneath, pull off the lines with the tool and just replace it.

some of the fuel system cleaners work, some dont. i use the techron, that works well.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't jack the car up by the center of the diff/pumpkin. It says not to in the owners manual. This link gives an explanation.

http://www.bullittarchive.com/Maintenance/jacking/
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
May 24, 2004
#17
  • May 24, 2004
  • #17
johnnyboy1111 said:
to the guy who cant remove filter, it takes a little fooling around sometimes ...you must push the spring tool & at the same time press the line in & then pull when you feel the spring click...spray the inlets with CRC or WD40 before you start if you have never changed it...they get stuck....also when you do get it out hold it level and then pour into a clean cup or glass you will be shocked at all the mud water that comes out....auto zone are about $7 each they are made in the USA....I quit buying purilator as here they were charging $12 ....I always keep a spare in the trunk....maybe 10,000 miles is a good idea the last time I changed it after about maybe 17,000 miles it was full of mud water & tried to blow thru it ....it was almost clogged shut...... the 5.0 had a better system with the clips & a much bigger filter.....
Click to expand...
Many...many..thanks....

I didn't do the Push and pull deal. I just pushed the tool in swore up and down like a drunken sailor cuz it wouldn't pull apart. Now I know what I'm doing after work.

Thanks again!!
 
6

68 & 00 GT

New Member
May 14, 2003
2,407
1
0
HOUSTON TEXAS
May 24, 2004
#18
  • May 24, 2004
  • #18
no need to mess w/ the fuel shut off - just wiggle that damn tool around, and pull the the fuel line at the same time.
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
May 24, 2004
#19
  • May 24, 2004
  • #19
what the manual says, and what happens in real life are 2 different things. when i worked at a dealer we lifted cars like that all the time, and no ill effects.
 

Red mustang Gt 46

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2001
601
0
16
Good ol' Maryland
May 24, 2004
#20
  • May 24, 2004
  • #20
68 & 00 GT said:
no need to mess w/ the fuel shut off - just wiggle that damn tool around, and pull the the fuel line at the same time.
Click to expand...
Not flaming...but by not relieving the fuel line pressure, your actually making it harder to disengage the fuel line fitting...the pressure holds the clips in place...besides, dribbling gas is much better than squirting gas when your wiggling the line around...relieve that pressure!!!
 
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