[Fanuc]

With all my past trucks I have always changed my fuel filters every other oil change. This is being my first Diesel, I was wondering if there is anything special I need to know before I just unscrew the caps and change the filters.

 

[guardrail22]

Read the book

10000*mi. oil change
30000 mile fuel filter

 

[Fanuc]

Read the book

10000*mi. oil change
30000 mile fuel filter

I know what the book says, I work with oils all day, in clean and dirty environments so I know what dirty filters and dirty oil can do. I got my truck in October and have almost 13000 miles on it … I drive a lot. That being said filters and shorter oil changes are cheap insurance to me

 

[torino73]

When I pull my truck in for oil and fuel filter change, I usually unscrew the fuel tank cap, then do the oil change, then fully drain the bottom filter with the pet****, then proceed with the fuel filter change. It helps to get a short piece of 1/4" hose and slip it over the nipple on the bottom of the pet**** to direct the fuel into a container and away from your arm. Don't forget to cycle your key (I think the manual says 6 times?) to prime the new filters. Try this site for getting filters:

Ford 6.4 Liter Turbo Diesel Truck Filters

It's probably not worth the shipping to order a single oil filter, but you'll save a few bucks when getting the fuel filter set with it.

 

[torino73]

Oops, sorry. I got censored. What I was describing was the little yellow lever on the filter housing. It's a little gate valve.

 

[Jerryc]

Censoring part of a word is over the top.

JC

 

[guardrail22]

I've always done what Ford called for and never had a problem

 

[Fanuc]

Guardrail22, I never said what Ford calls out for is wrong .... I am a CNC tech and I take Preventive Maintenance always one step further. My customers spend $350000 plus on there equipment. So taking care of a problem before it’s a problem is just second nature for me.

Some might say that changing my oil at 5000 miles is too soon but I do live in the desert, so blowing dust and dirt are a problem. So every other oil change fuel filters are cheap, every third oil change an air filter is cheap. I don’t think by doing all this will hurt anything and I may just more miles out of this truck.

Ok so this is where somebody grabs there chest when I say I use MOBILE ONE TURBO DIESEL, yes it cost more. I work on machines that call out for only mobile products or the warranty is void and trust me I have seen what happens when these machines call for mobile but the owner uses a shell, or something that has been cross referenced to a mobile product. It usually cost them about 40 grand.

I am not saying I am right in any way, shape, or form

I would like to meet the engineer that put the brake line and electrical harness in front of the water/fuel filter!!!!

 

[torino73]

Yeah- that's special ain't it? I just did mine recently, and I was cussing the same guy you were.

 

[TreverAdamo]

Yeah- that's special ain't it? I just did mine recently, and I was cussing the same guy you were.

lol i just did it this past weekend as well and the same thing!

And for 5000 oil changes i do the same and would not go more then that and when i got me oil report back from black stone i can say that is the way to do it:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Shinny]

Okay....Need help
I loosened the fuel cap, drained the horizontal filter, drained it again and again. I got three quarts of fuel and ran out of mason jars. I loosened the top filter cap, changed that filter and the horizontal was still draining. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? The $150 for the dealership to do this is looking good...oh and by the way my check engine light is now on. I guess that's because I had the fuel cap off for a while and it may not have tightened properly when I replaced it.

Thanks,
Shinny

 

[jonny55555]

So did your lower filter stop draining fuel? should drain for about 5 min, but you should use the valve to drain the fuel before taking off the cap.

 

[rock_doctor]

Oops, sorry. I got censored. What I was describing was the little yellow lever on the filter housing. It's a little gate valve.

You mean you did not type it like that??? That is hilarious! I wonder what other benign words the software will recognize as a bad word...

 

[Shinny]

I left the valve open for fifteen minutes at least, almost no water, but lots of fuel. I wasn't about to open the cap with fuel still flowing. I've seen and read about taking a diesel bath and I don't want one.

 

[frank404]

I am thinking of changing my filters myself. After reading these post I have a question. Do you use the same drain as the one you use for draining the water out of your fuel? Will it stop running after awhile or do you have to pull the fuel filter and hurry to get the other one on? (sorry i am very new to this)
Thanks

 

[6.0-A-NO-NO]

I would not go past 5,000 on the oil change, fuel filters every 10,000....15000 max

 

[timid1]

I would not go past 5,000 on the oil change, fuel filters every 10,000....15000 max

You know your truck better than Ford does. After all, the manual does (not) state that you need to change your oil every 5k miles no matter what. Fuel filters is the same. I see three different answers in this thread and none of them match what the owner's manual says.

What it boils down to is that there is no "special" process. Drain the lower filter first by opening the valve. While the valve is open, unscrew your upper filter. Then unscrew your lower filter. Change your lower filter first then close the valve. Then change your upper filter. Badda bing. :thumbsup:

 

[6.0-A-NO-NO]

You know your truck better than Ford does. After all, the manual does (not) state that you need to change your oil every 5k miles no matter what. Fuel filters is the same. I see three different answers in this thread and none of them match what the owner's manual says.

What it boils down to is that there is no "special" process. Drain the lower filter first by opening the valve. While the valve is open, unscrew your upper filter. Then unscrew your lower filter. Change your lower filter first then close the valve. Then change your upper filter. Badda bing. :thumbsup:

I dont own one, but I make my living fixing these things day in and day out (im still a tech assistant, im young, 21 and not done with all my training just yet and waiting on classes to open up from ford in my area) and when I say 10,000-15,000 miles max is because fuel quality is very critical in these trucks. Ive pulled filters on several 08's that with 10-15k on the clock that looked terrible. I have it printed somewhere maybe I could share if I can find it, but the last time we had a ford rep at our dealer he told all the diesel techs that we need to start selling filters and recommending them every 10,000 miles for 6.0's and 6.4's. I would go past it if you know that the fuel you are putting into your truck is top quality, some stations around here sell junk.

 

[timid1]

I dont own one, but I make my living fixing these things day in and day out (im still a tech assistant, im young, 21 and not done with all my training just yet and waiting on classes to open up from ford in my area) and when I say 10,000-15,000 miles max is because fuel quality is very critical in these trucks. Ive pulled filters on several 08's that with 10-15k on the clock that looked terrible. I have it printed somewhere maybe I could share if I can find it, but the last time we had a ford rep at our dealer he told all the diesel techs that we need to start selling filters and recommending them every 10,000 miles for 6.0's and 6.4's. I would go past it if you know that the fuel you are putting into your truck is top quality, some stations around here sell junk.

Of course they're going to tell you that you need to start selling them at 10k miles. Ford is in the business of making money. Most people DON'T read their owner's manual; maybe the few that come here are the exception, but at 10k miles, you're going to get $200+ in parts and labor for something that will only take around 30 minutes.

The manual for the 6.4L DOES NOT say to change your oil and fuel filters as often as everyone says. It has two different schedules, normal and special operating conditions. I don't remember *exactly* what the manual says, but I got something in the mail from Ford the other day that seems to match what I remember. Here's the gist of what's in that letter I got (and I'm 100% certain it matches my owner's manual).

Oil & Filter for the 6.0L, under normal operating conditions, change at 7500 miles. Under special operating conditions, change every 5k miles or 200 hours.

Oil & Filter for the 6.4L, under normal operating conditions, change every 10k miles; special, change every 5k miles or 200 hours.

Fuel & Filters (both) for the 6.0L, change every 15k miles; under special, change every 10k miles or 400 hours.

Fuel & Filters (both) for the 6.4L, change every 20k miles; special, every 10k miles or 400 hours.

So... translation? It has a lot to do with how the truck is used. I can have 20k miles on my truck before needing to replace the fuel & filters. Why? Because I don't idle, drive in heavy traffic (I can usually keep it above 55 mph), or tow/haul. And even if I did, I'd switch to the special operating conditions. But I sure as heck wouldn't do maintenance any sooner than I had to.

Peace of mind is not only expensive but unnecessary.