Changing Fuel Filter In Ford Falcon Au: Step-By-Step Guide

Changing the fuel filter on a Ford Falcon AU involves several steps. First, depressurise the fuel system by removing the fuel pump relay and letting the car idle until it stalls. Then, jack up the car securely, locate the fuel filter near the rear passenger door, and apply CRC or WD40 if the connections are corroded. Use spanners to loosen the union fitting and remove the old filter, being careful not to spill fuel. Install a new filter, reattach the relay, and prime the fuel system by turning the key until the fuel pump stops.

Depressurise the fuel system

Depressurising the fuel system of a Ford Falcon AU is a crucial step before changing the fuel filter. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to safely depressurise the fuel system:

Firstly, locate the fuel pump relay. It is usually found under the coolant bottle. Once located, carefully pull out the fuel pump relay. After removing the relay, the next step is to start the car. Let the engine idle until it stalls and turns off by itself. At this point, the fuel pressure should be significantly reduced. However, to ensure that the system is completely depressurised, turn the starter motor key for about 10 seconds. This additional step guarantees that any remaining fuel pressure is relieved.

It is important to note that safety should be a priority when working on any vehicle. Before proceeding with any repairs or maintenance, ensure that the car is securely jacked up and placed on stands or ramps. This will prevent any accidental lowering or movement of the vehicle, which could pose a safety hazard. Additionally, always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any fuel or debris.

By following these steps, you can effectively depressurise the fuel system of your Ford Falcon AU, making it safe to proceed with changing the fuel filter. Remember to refer to the appropriate service manual or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any part of the process.

Jack up the car

Jacking up your car is an important step in changing the fuel filter of your Ford Falcon AU. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

First, you will need to position the jack. Place the jack securely at the rear passenger side of your Ford Falcon AU. It is recommended to use a trolley jack and jack it up from the differential, then place it on jack stands. Alternatively, you can put your car on ramps to keep it steady. Ensure that your car is securely lifted and will not move or roll during the process. Remember, you will be working underneath the car, so safety is paramount.

Next, you will need to locate the fuel filter. In the Ford Falcon AU, the fuel filter is located under the car, near the rear passenger door. Before starting any work on the fuel filter, it is crucial to depressurise the fuel system. To do this, pull out the fuel pump relay, which is usually located under the coolant bottle. Then, start the car and let it idle until it stalls. Crank the starter motor for about 10 seconds to ensure that the fuel pressure has been relieved.

Once the car is securely jacked up and the fuel system is depressurised, you can begin working on the fuel filter. If the connections on the fuel filter look corroded or crusty, it is advisable to spray them with a suitable product, such as CRC or WD40. Allow the product to soak in for a while before proceeding. This will help loosen any built-up corrosion and make it easier to remove the fuel filter.

Now, you will need the correct tools to remove the fuel filter. Get a couple of the correct size spanners—one for the filter and one for the union. A good quality pipe spanner of size 13mm should work, but any well-fitting spanner can also be used. Ensure that the spanners are tight-fitting to avoid putting excessive force on the filter or the pipe union. When removing the fuel filter, be cautious not to over-tighten or twist the filter excessively, as this can cause damage to the pipe on the other side.

Finally, as a safety precaution, always wear safety glasses when working underneath the car. Some fuel may leak out when you loosen the connections, and fuel can cause irritation or injury if it comes into contact with your eyes or skin. By following these detailed steps, you can safely and effectively jack up your Ford Falcon AU and access the fuel filter for replacement.

Locate the fuel filter

To locate the fuel filter of your Ford Falcon AU, first depressurise the fuel system by pulling out the fuel pump relay from under the coolant bottle. Then, start the car and let it idle until it stalls. Next, crank the car over on the starter motor for about 10 seconds to ensure the fuel pressure has been relieved. Jack up the car at the rear passenger side, preferably using a trolley jack from the diff, and put it up on stands or ramps.

Once the car is secure, go underneath the car near the rear passenger door, where you should find the fuel filter. If the connections look corroded, spray them with CRC, WD40, or a similar product, and let it soak in before attempting to loosen them.

Loosen the union fitting

To loosen the union fitting on your Ford Falcon AU, you'll first need to jack up the car at the rear passenger side. You can use a trolley jack and jack it from the diff, placing it on stands or ramps. This step is important for your safety, as you'll be working underneath the car.

Once the car is securely lifted, locate the fuel filter near the rear passenger door. If the connections look corroded or crusty, spray them with a suitable product like CRC or WD40 and let it soak in.

Now, get a couple of correctly-sized spanners—one for the filter and one for the union. A good-quality pipe spanner should do the trick (13mm is recommended, but any tight-fitting spanner will work). It's important to have a good, tight fit to avoid putting more pressure on the filter than the pipe union and potentially cracking the thread.

With your spanners in hand, it's time to loosen that union fitting. Remember, don't keep twisting the filter excessively, as you don't want to do any damage to the pipe on the other side. A gentle touch is best here.

Replace the old filter

To replace the old filter, first depressurise the fuel system. Pull out the fuel pump relay from under the coolant bottle and start the car. Let the car idle until it stalls, then crank it over on the starter motor for about 10 seconds to ensure the fuel pressure has been relieved. Next, jack up the car at the rear passenger side. You can use a trolley jack and jack it from the diff, placing it on stands, or you could use ramps. Ensure the car is secure, as you will be working underneath it.

The fuel filter is located under the car, near the rear passenger door. If the connections look corroded, spray them with CRC, WD40, or a similar product. Allow it to soak in. Get two spanners of the correct size—one for the filter and one for the union. A good-quality pipe spanner should work (13mm is recommended). When loosening the connections, be careful not to put more pressure on turning the filter than on the pipe union, as you could crack the thread. Just crack the thread and loosen the union fitting—don't keep twisting the filter, as you may damage the pipe on the other side.

Be careful not to position your head directly under the filter when loosening the connections, as some fuel will come out and could cause injury if it gets in your eyes. It is recommended to wear safety glasses. After both connections are undone, slide out the old filter and tap it on the ground to see how much dirt and debris have built up inside.

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