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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Motorcraft Fuel Filter. Anything Special?

  • Thread starter Thread starter steve_stang2003
  • Start date Start date Sep 22, 2007
S

steve_stang2003

New Member
Apr 18, 2007
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Sep 22, 2007
#1
  • Sep 22, 2007
  • #1
Is there anything special about a Motorcraft fuel filter for a 2003 GT?
The reason I ask is because I just replaced my stock filter at 30k or so with a Fram (I know, I know ) and ever since my car has a mildly difficult time on hot starts.
I know about the typical Mustang hot start problem (turn the key to on for a few seconds to eliminat) but this started right after I replaced the fuel filter and did nothing else.

So I'm curious if there is something different with the Motorcraft fuel filter vs the others.

I know the Motorcraft OIL filter has the ADBV in a different location than the aftermarkets which helps with the start up knock, but what could possibly be different with a fuel filter?

Other than it's a Fram and it sucks

FWIW I'm putting a Motorcraft in later this week, but I was just curious.
TIA!
 

Killa

Active Member
Jul 9, 2007
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Sep 22, 2007
#2
  • Sep 22, 2007
  • #2
I dont know, but I alway trust pure one or OEM motorcraft for filter.
 
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steve_stang2003

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Apr 18, 2007
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Sep 23, 2007
#3
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #3
KillaGT said:
I dont know, but I alway trust pure one or OEM motorcraft for filter.
Click to expand...

Yea, I hear ya!!
I'm swapping it out today for either Pure One or Motorcraft depending upon what they have at Advanced Auto Parts.
There is something funky with this Fram, maybe I just got a defective one.
 

03ghoststang

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2005
1,930
1
57
Los Angeles, California
Sep 23, 2007
#4
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #4
i know it may be a silly question to ask........ but you did put it on with the arrow pointing to the line that goes up to the motor sometimes they can put on wrong
 
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steve_stang2003

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Apr 18, 2007
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Sep 23, 2007
#5
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #5
03ghoststang said:
i know it may be a silly question to ask........ but you did put it on with the arrow pointing to the line that goes up to the motor sometimes they can put on wrong
Click to expand...

Haha!
Yea, I put it in the correct way.
Actually if you put it in the wrong way it won't seat well in the bracket that holds it in place but the ends can surely be put on wrong.

I just put a Motorcraft filter on and the car hasn't had the starting problem in a couple of starts.
I'll know in a day or so if it is fixed.
I suspect the Fram I got was defective.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
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Massachusetts
Sep 23, 2007
#6
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #6
Fram sucks anyway. I just want to pour gasoline on all the fram products in autozone and dance on their charred little filter bodies
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Sep 23, 2007
#7
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #7
Mustang5L5 said:
Fram sucks anyway. I just want to pour gasoline on all the fram products in autozone and dance on their charred little filter bodies
Click to expand...

Issues
 
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steve_stang2003

New Member
Apr 18, 2007
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Sep 23, 2007
#8
  • Sep 23, 2007
  • #8
LaserSVT said:
Issues
Click to expand...

Hahahahahah
Don't we all!!!!!!!!

FWIW I have started the car 18 times since putting in the Motorcraft and it has started fine....
Something was amiss with the Fram, more than likely a defective sample.
If it fails again, I will report back but so far so good.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
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Nov 22, 2001
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Sep 25, 2007
#9
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #9
I am a firm believer on Motorcraft OEM parts. That is what my car was built with and that's what I put on there.

I could have bought a Chinese brand fuel filter for 3.99, but I opted for the 9.99 Motorcraft. You never know what they are up to in China!!
 
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steve_stang2003

New Member
Apr 18, 2007
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Sep 25, 2007
#10
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #10
SVT32VDOHC said:
I am a firm believer on Motorcraft OEM parts. That is what my car was built with and that's what I put on there.

I could have bought a Chinese brand fuel filter for 3.99, but I opted for the 9.99 Motorcraft. You never know what they are up to in China!!
Click to expand...

Well since installing the Motorcraft filter I have not had a starting issue at all so something was amiss with the Fram.
I suspect it was a defect in some way.
I would have cut it open but I don't have the time and it's already been tossed.

Live and learn.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Sep 25, 2007
#11
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #11
SVT32VDOHC said:
I am a firm believer on Motorcraft OEM parts. That is what my car was built with and that's what I put on there.

I could have bought a Chinese brand fuel filter for 3.99, but I opted for the 9.99 Motorcraft. You never know what they are up to in China!!
Click to expand...


They charge $9.99 for a motorcraft up there..... I usually get them for $4.29 or so
at Autozone or Wal mart, are you getting them from the dealership?

oops, my bad, I was thinking oil filter, nevermind.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
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119
Motor City
Sep 25, 2007
#12
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #12
steve_stang2003 said:
Well since installing the Motorcraft filter I have not had a starting issue at all so something was amiss with the Fram.
I suspect it was a defect in some way.
I would have cut it open but I don't have the time and it's already been tossed.

Live and learn.
Click to expand...

I'm glad it worked for you. Come to think of it....a long time ago, there was another thread on here with that same issue. I think it is a defect in FRAMS filter.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
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Motor City
Sep 25, 2007
#13
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #13
streethorse said:
They charge $9.99 for a motorcraft up there..... I usually get them for $4.29 or so
at Autozone or Wal mart, are you getting them from the dealership?

oops, my bad, I was thinking oil filter, nevermind.
Click to expand...

HAHA That's OK...Last time I was at Autozone, I get a FL820S for my Cobra, and I ask him what the number is for my girlfriends 93 Escort. He says "Well, I have a FRAM for 4.99, and a STP for 5.29." I go "Well, what about that off brand above the FRAM that is only 2.79?" He says "Oh well, sir, you should put a good filter because it could...." I interupted and said "Man, it's a 93 Escort, I don't need anything special, I've been working on cars since I was a little kid, a filter is a filter!!" He said "Oh"

That really ticked me off, some kid telling me why I should spend more money on a fliter for a 14 year old car with 70K.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
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Massachusetts
Sep 25, 2007
#14
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #14
SVT32VDOHC said:
That really ticked me off, some kid telling me why I should spend more money on a fliter for a 14 year old car with 70K.
Click to expand...



I would still put a good filter on that car


I don;t really have an engine tree growing in my backyard, so the extra $2.00 to suck out more crap is worth it to me.

BTW, filters are not all the same
 
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steve_stang2003

New Member
Apr 18, 2007
195
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0
Sep 25, 2007
#15
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #15
Mustang5L5 said:
I would still put a good filter on that car


I don;t really have an engine tree growing in my backyard, so the extra $2.00 to suck out more crap is worth it to me.

BTW, filters are not all the same
Click to expand...

+1
People laugh at me for changing my oil at 3k or so even with synthetic but all my cars have gone over 200k miles (all dino).

It's a small price to pay IMHO.

The Mustang and my Jetta are the first to use synthetic.
 

Tally_4.6

Member
Feb 26, 2006
195
0
17
Orlando
Sep 25, 2007
#16
  • Sep 25, 2007
  • #16
I actually just replaced my fuel filter with a motorcraft one yesterday, piece a cake. I picked it up for 8 bucks and some change at Advance Auto.
 
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