[Black Beauty 89]

Have never changed the fuel filter on my newly acquired 1989 F-350. Fuel filter light came on and figure it is time to change. Does anyone have a play-by-play on how to change out the filter? It looks a little more complicated than the oil filter.

Thanks!

 

[cdnsarguy]

If you go to this page...... you will see all the parts of the filter.

I first drain the water separator on the bottom by unscrewing the knurled wheel and collecting about 1/2 cup of fuel from the steel drain line in a plastic container. Close drain and remove the WIF light connector and the drain line hose from the filter. Using a filter wrench unscrew the filter from the head, trying not to spill the remaining contents. Look inside to see if any water or crud has passed through the filter system. Now drain the filter then remove the filter base and clean it.

Assembling the new filter, place the new slightly oiled oring in the separator base groove, screw base and new filter together hand tight. Fill the filter with clean diesel or fuel additive via the outer small holes until 1 inch below the top, lubricate the upper filter seal and screw the filter to the header. Hand tight is usually sufficient but 1/4-1/2 turn more with the filter wrench does the trick. Now retighten the base by hand slightly if required. Install WIF connector and drain hose.

With a helper, purge the air from the filter by pressing on the valve stem in the Schrader valve (use a rag to catch fuel) while starting the engine. Wipe up any spills jobs done. Note stumbling may occur until all air is removed from the system.

Bleed air from the Schrader valve, engine should start when fuel is present.

Fleetguard oil filter (PSD size)
Part: LF3630

Fleetguard fuel filter
Part: FG1281

 

[Black Beauty 89]

If you go to this page...... you will see all the parts of the filter.

I first drain the water separator on the bottom by unscrewing the knurled wheel and collecting about 1/2 cup of fuel from the steel drain line in a plastic container. Close drain and remove the WIF light connector and the drain line hose from the filter. Using a filter wrench unscrew the filter from the head, trying not to spill the remaining contents. Look inside to see if any water or crud has passed through the filter system. Now drain the filter then remove the filter base and clean it.

Assembling the new filter, place the new slightly oiled oring in the separator base groove, screw base and new filter together hand tight. Fill the filter with clean diesel or fuel additive via the outer small holes until 1 inch below the top, lubricate the upper filter seal and screw the filter to the header. Hand tight is usually sufficient but 1/4-1/2 turn more with the filter wrench does the trick. Now retighten the base by hand slightly if required. Install WIF connector and drain hose.

With a helper, purge the air from the filter by pressing on the valve stem in the Schrader valve (use a rag to catch fuel) while starting the engine. Wipe up any spills jobs done. Note stumbling may occur until all air is removed from the system.

Bleed air from the Schrader valve, engine should start when fuel is present.

Fleetguard oil filter (PSD size)
Part: LF3630

Fleetguard fuel filter
Part: FG1281

Thank you Sir! Exactly what I was needing. I printed this off and will use when I change the filter.

 

[BuilderBob]

As usual Pete has given you the best information known to human kind.
My only suggestion is to do this after the engine is warm/been driven.
Gather more rags than you believe you need, and small coffee can/bucket to pitch the old filter into.
After it starts, bring it to a hi idle until it runs smooth.
I use Power Serve, not diesel, to fill the new filter, clean, cheap, and easily available.

 

[M.L.S.C.]

Indeed, a warm engine will start easier even if there's a bit of air still left in the filter. Also, since the filter is off, that's a great time to flush the IP with Diesel Kleen or even SeaFoam - fill up the new filter with it instead of diesel fuel, and you should be good.

 

[texcollex]

Does this apply to the '94 turbo IDI as well, or just earlier models? I was planning to change my fuel filter tomorrow and run some Sea Foam through.

 

[M.L.S.C.]

Yeps, turbo engines are no different from the n/a ones in that area.

 

[texcollex]

Thanks a ton! Got the job done today with very little problem. I can see it will be much easier the next time I do it after today's experience. The truck is really running nicely now. The SeaFoam seems to have helped it have a bit more pep.

 

[live4545]

fuel light !! fuel filter problems 93 7.3l f250 turbo .. changed and acts lean help!!

I have a 93 f250 7.3 turbo model and fuel light came on so i went and changed fuel fiter ecaxtly as described , primed , drove down the road and truck was driving fine .... light came back on still driving and then it acted like air was getting in and so i slow down to build pressure back up and took back home , then i removed shrader and started truck and it only spits no constent flow like before . ( now also before all of this i changed o ring on fuel heater witch required me to disassemble housing and i put it all back togethere as i removed ) but im stumpped !!! where is the air coming from ? and why no constent flow of fuel ? it starts and idles fine and light stays off but if i drive @ 2000 rpm normal.. it just freaks out and acts lean .. please help me !! thank you, kyle lively 817 296 0016

 

[chuckster57]

Indeed, a warm engine will start easier even if there's a bit of air still left in the filter. Also, since the filter is off, that's a great time to flush the IP with Diesel Kleen or even SeaFoam - fill up the new filter with it instead of diesel fuel, and you should be good.

SeaFoam baby..It's the bombdigity :thumbsup:

 

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the Diesel Stop

I have a 93 f250 7.3 turbo model and fuel light came on so i went and changed fuel fiter ecaxtly as described , primed , drove down the road and truck was driving fine .... light came back on still driving and then it acted like air was getting in and so i slow down to build pressure back up and took back home , then i removed shrader and started truck and it only spits no constent flow like before . ( now also before all of this i changed o ring on fuel heater witch required me to disassemble housing and i put it all back togethere as i removed ) but im stumpped !!! where is the air coming from ? and why no constent flow of fuel ? it starts and idles fine and light stays off but if i drive @ 2000 rpm normal.. it just freaks out and acts lean .. please help me !! thank you, kyle lively 817 296 0016

Fuel light will come on depending on fuel pressure. You need to perform the fuel flow/pressure test.

Do a pressure and flow test of the fuel pump at the Schrader valve on the filter header (FSS- fuel shutoff solenoid disconnected on IP). Remove the tire valve core and hook a hose and pressure guage on it should see 4-6 psi when starter cranking engine over. Then do a fuel quantity test same place, should see 1/3 pint in 10 seconds of starter engine cranking, route fuel to a suitable container with a hose. When all finished hook up the FSS wire .

If there is a problem with the lift pump and you are changing it, ensure the new pump comes with instructions as to correct installation procedure if it is the newer model pump with the almost straight arm.

If it passes the above test then it's time to do the "clear line" test. Search of this forum will explain it.

 

[Snotzalot]

First place I'd look is at the lift pump. BTW how much fuel in the tank?

 

[live4545]

I replaced the lift pump about 3 months ago , and there was half a tank , i took the filter back off and it was half full of fuel . is it supposed to be full ? ........ so then i poured trans fluid to the rim and re started and drove truck light is still coming on but seems to no act up .. or rev passed what i already have my foot on .. so im guessing the filter needs to be full to be able to have complete press. to the shrader valve on top of housing .. thanks for the replys ... any more ideas ?

 

[johnboggs21]

When you take the filter off it should be full to the top. How long did it sit before you took the filter off? Have you disturbed the return lines recently?

 

[troutman]

I have had the problems you've described. Filter was full. Water in fuel light came on, stalling. Started out like air in return. Check the fuel lift pump like suggested. Sounds like lift pump to me especially if you just get a small amount of fuel while cranking. Is there smoke coming from the pipe when you ty to crank? MY money is on lift pump. As you describe the symptoms.
If you do change it remove the vacuum pump first, it makes it eaiser.

 

[live4545]

yeah i bought the lift pump 3 months ago from autozone .. and ive been thinking about it and im just gonna get another one and try it out , thanks for all the help and ideas guys .. ill post later to see if i solved the problem .. :read:

 

[live4545]

ok so i just changed the lift pump , same problem light comes on and truck acts like its sucking air .. i dont understand , i havent touched any return lines , and the filter is not filling all the way up even with new pump , could it be the tank pick-up ? maybe blocked ? idk .. any help would be greatly appreciated .. thank you , kyle

 

[live4545]

ok so i know these models are known for the air leak problem , so here is what is happening ...... i checked hard lines all the way to the tank , no leaks , then i checked returnlines orings car ect. so then i got this bright idea drinkin on my miller .... lol switch the tanks to the rear .... bam !!! front tank has got an air leak or something causeing air in line .. so i put it on the rear , no light , no spuddering nothing .. but i have one question do anyone have a diagram of tank operation / parts inside and hoses that are assoiated with it ? thanks alot !! :thumbsup:

 

[chuckster57]

How much fuel is in the front tank? Pick-up is known to beak off and cause problems below 1/4 full IIRC.

 

[cdnsarguy]

Consider visiting,,,,,,,,,,, Ford diesel 6.9 7.3 IDI

Read all about the air in fuel system and the clear hose tests.......