2004 E-350 6.0L fuel filter change

[eseries]

I have a 2004 E-350 Super Duty with the notorious 6.0L diesel. I bought this about a year ago (39,000 mi.), have since replaced the EGR cooler and valve. Now, during winter here in Pennsylvania, I believe it may be time to change the fuel filters. Lots of hard, rough starts (Installed two new batteries last weekend). I would like to change the secondary fuel filter on top of the engine, but don't feel too comfortable removing power steering reservoir etc... just to fit my hand in there. Also would like to do the blue spring upgrade while i'm in there (already got the parts). Just wondering if there is an easier way of if anybody has done this. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[MikeL46]

Removing the PS reservoir is fairly easy. I also remove the screws that hold the harness to the cowl and put the harness on top of the lip for better access. It all sounds much worse than it is.

Mike

[eseries]

Thank you for the info, I might get around to this this week.

[cfh420]

Originally Posted by eseries

Thank you for the info, I might get around to this this week.

I service a fleet of ambulances with the ****-Point-O Diesel. This is how I do the secondary fuel filter.

Remove air filter cover and wedge the intake hose up to the left out of the way. We replace the air filter at the same time as the fuel filters so this isnt any extra work. Then take a 7/16 deep socket and loosen the clamp on the intake hose from the intercooler and do the same on the upper part of the same hose going into the intake manifold. Loosen the left clamp. Pull the lower part of the hose off the intercooler then the top part and pull it out of the way under steering resevoir enough to get your hand in to reach the filter. Remove the oil dipstick. Use a 1/2" drive ratchet to remove the filter cover. Let it drain a little before you pull it out. Be careful not to drip diesel on the belts. Install the filter on to the cover with the new O-ring and install into the filter housing. Put it all back together with a new air filter and you're done. About 10 min.
Hope this helps.

[SIC-E]

I have just unbolted the wire harness plastic enclosure and moved it up & out of the way. Last time i removed the plastic from the midsection of the harness cover and have little trouble getting my big hands in there to replace the filter. Never have to remove anything any longer. Good luck

[eseries]

Thanks for all the info. I finally got around to this last weekend, and it was much easier than I thought it would be. The filters were pretty much completely black and full of sand. I wish I could of got a picture of them but my ****ty camera broke. I used the removing the intercooler hose method. thanks for helping me save money by not having to go to the local Ford dealer (a bunch of greedy liars.) Once I finally get a warm day I will attempt the blue spring upgrade and let you know how it goes.
Scott