Katerina Swanson
Changing the fuel filter on your F350 is an important part of engine maintenance. Fuel filters are typically mounted to the undercarriage, on the main fuel line after the fuel pump. They prevent contaminants from entering the fuel system and causing damage. Ford recommends replacing the fuel filter on a 1999-2004 F350 every 15,000 miles, but some owners report replacing them every 10,000 miles. The process involves draining the diesel fuel conditioner module, disconnecting the electrical connector, removing the old filter, and installing a new one. The new filter should be turned clockwise to lock it in place, and the fuel lines should be reconnected. The ignition should then be switched on for 30 seconds and off six times in a row to purge any trapped air from the fuel system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel filter replacement cost | $152 to $231 |
| Fuel filter replacement interval | 10,000 to 30,000 miles |
| Fuel filter replacement procedure | 1. Drain the diesel fuel conditioner module |
| 2. Disconnect the electrical connector | |
| 3. Loosen the bolts securing the lower portion of the diesel fuel conditioner module housing | |
| 4. Remove the lower portion of the housing | |
| 5. Slide the filter element toward the drain plug to disengage the securing clips | |
| 6. Install the new filter into the filter bracket | |
| 7. Reconnect the fuel lines | |
| 8. Switch the ignition on for 30 seconds and then switch it off | |
| 9. Repeat the previous step six times in a row to purge any trapped air from the fuel system |
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What You'll Learn
Draining the fuel filter housing
Regular fuel filter changes are an important part of engine maintenance. Failing to keep up with scheduled maintenance can lead to engine performance issues and fuel injection system damage. Fuel filters should be replaced according to the service schedule, usually between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, and not just when a related problem occurs.
To drain the fuel filter housing of your F350, first locate the fuel filter housing drain. It is located at the front of the engine and can be accessed from the front passenger side wheel well. Then, connect a three- or four-foot piece of hose to the tube, and the fuel filter housing can be drained of diesel fuel. Connect the hose to the drain tube and drain the fuel into a suitable container. Only about 16 ounces of diesel will come out.
The fuel filter housing drain is located on the back side of the housing. It has a yellow lever which is used to drain the diesel fuel and any water in the housing. Turn the lever clockwise by a quarter of a turn to drain the fuel. It takes a couple of minutes. While the fuel is draining, you can remove the cap. Use a strap wrench to loosen the cap.
Before draining the filter, it is recommended to loosen the fuel filter housing about three turns. This will keep additional fuel from entering the housing when draining and will keep fuel waste to a minimum. You can also open the drain port on the bottom filter housing and then go to the engine bay and pop off the rear fuel line connection.
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Disconnecting the fuel line
First, locate the fuel filter housing. For a 1999-2004 Ford F250 or F350 Super Duty Power Stroke 7.3 Liter diesel engine, the fuel filter housing is located underneath a cover. Two 13mm nuts must be removed to access the fuel filter. The fuel filter housing drain is typically located at the front of the engine and can be reached from the front passenger side wheel well.
Next, you'll want to drain the fuel filter housing. Connect a three- to four-foot piece of hose to the drain tube, and then drain the diesel fuel into a suitable container. Only about 16 ounces of diesel will be drained. Turn the yellow drain lever clockwise by a quarter turn to initiate the draining process. It should take a couple of minutes.
While the fuel is draining, you can remove the fuel filter cap. Use a strap wrench to loosen the cap. You may also want to loosen the bolts on the bottom plate of the filter housing to help stop the siphoning of fuel.
Once the fuel has been drained, you can proceed to disconnect the fuel line. For 2017 models, disconnect the fuel line quick-connect coupling from the in-tank fuel pump. Ensure that the fuel filler cap is closed before draining the filter to prevent the siphoning of the entire fuel tank contents.
Finally, fully loosen the bolts securing the lower portion of the diesel fuel conditioner module housing. It is important to note that you should not completely remove these bolts.
By following these steps, you will successfully disconnect the fuel line, allowing you to proceed with changing the fuel filter on your F350.
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Installing a new filter
First, locate the fuel filter housing. For the F350, the housing is typically found underneath a cover, and removing this cover provides access to the fuel filter. Two 13mm nuts must be removed to access the fuel filter. It is recommended to loosen the housing about three turns before draining it to minimise mess and fuel waste.
Next, drain the diesel fuel conditioner module. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise until it stops, but do not use any tools to loosen the drain plug. Approximately 0.53 gallons (2 litres) of fuel will be drained into an appropriate container. Do not reuse this drained fuel.
Disconnect the electrical connector and loosen the bolts securing the lower portion of the diesel fuel conditioner module housing. It is important to note that these bolts should not be completely removed. Remove the lower portion of the housing and slide the filter element towards the drain plug to disengage the securing clips.
Now, you can install the new filter. Slide the new filter element into the housing and ensure the securing clips are fully engaged. Install the lower portion of the housing and tighten the bolts until you feel strong resistance. The maximum torque should be 7 lb.ft (9 Nm).
After installing the new filter, reconnect the fuel lines and switch the ignition on for 30 seconds before switching it off. Repeat this process six times to purge any trapped air from the fuel system.
Finally, coat the O-ring with diesel fuel and place it in the groove of the new fuel filter. Gently insert the new filter with the O-ring installed into the fuel filter housing.
It is important to note that fuel filters should be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule, which can vary depending on the vehicle and fuel type. Regular fuel filter changes are essential to maintain engine performance and prevent damage to the fuel injection system.
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Priming the line
To prime the line, you must first drain the diesel fuel conditioner module. Turn the drain plug counter-clockwise until it stops. Do not use any tools to loosen the drain plug. Approximately 0.53 gallons (2 litres) of fuel will be drained into an appropriate container.
Next, you must disconnect the electrical connector. Loosen the bolts securing the lower portion of the diesel fuel conditioner module housing. Do not fully remove the bolts. Remove the lower portion of the housing and slide the filter element toward the drain plug to disengage the securing clips.
Then, slide the new filter element into the housing and fully engage the securing clips. Install the lower portion of the housing. Tighten the bolts until you feel a strong resistance.
Finally, switch the ignition on for 30 seconds and then switch it off. Repeat this process six times in a row to purge any trapped air from the fuel system. You should be able to hear the air bleeding from the line.
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Purging the fuel system
To purge the air from the fuel system of your F350, you should cycle the ignition on for about 30 seconds and then switch it off. Repeat this process six times in a row to purge any trapped air from the fuel system. You can open the drain on the fuel bowl to let the air out of the system. After turning the pump on and off, open the drain valve, let the air escape, then close the valve and repeat as needed.
If you are inside a garage, you can hear the fuel system gurgle as it removes the air. It takes at least eight key turns, waiting for the pump to fully stop each time, for the gurgling to stop. The last couple of turns will be barely audible but you should still be able to hear the gurgling.
If you are having issues with air intrusion, you can try the following:
- Check the fuel pressure to make sure your fuel pump is not bad.
- Disconnect the fuel line from the inlet side of the fuel pump and run the line into a portable fuel tank. If the fuel pump is working, you should see a steady stream after the air is out.
- If you are not getting fuel out of the Schrader valve while cranking with a mechanical pump, you may have air intrusion or a bad lift pump.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you change your fuel filter every 15,000 to 40,000 miles. However, this may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
You will need a strap wrench, a large screwdriver, and a new fuel filter. You can purchase a Ford filter kit from Walmart for around $53.
The fuel filter housing is located underneath a cover, secured by two 13mm nuts. Remove these nuts to access the fuel filter.
First, loosen the fuel filter housing by turning it about three times to prevent additional fuel from entering. Then, use a strap wrench to loosen the cap and remove the old filter.
Coat the O-ring with diesel fuel and place it in the groove of the new fuel filter. Gently insert the new filter into the fuel filter housing. Turn the filter clockwise to lock it in place and reconnect the fuel lines.
