Fuel Filter Replacement -- easier than I thought

[rumblecloud]

There are a ton of how to's on replacing your fuel filter. Here's another one for the 4.0L OHV in a 94 Ranger Splash 4x4. I'm sure it covers a bunch of other models too. I just thought as long as I was gonna do it, I would post some images and note any difficulties. There really were none to speak of though. I was worried about gas spewing out all over the place -- me included -- but it was not bad at all. A few drops and that was it.
Basically, just disconnect the bracket holding the filter into the frame channel. That allows you to move the filter around to access the circle clamp that secured the filter to the bracket. Once the clamp is disconnected you can remove the bracket for full access to the filter. Next, I removed the plastic clip that secured the inlet line to the filter ( most likely you'll remove them in two pieces). Some fuel will start to drip out, I just grabbed it with a rag and secured it up toward the floor pan - no more fuel leaking out. I used one of the rubber caps from the new filter to cap off the old filter inlet line, so no fuel leaks there. Then remove the outlet line. Surprisingly, no fuel leaks there. Then just reinstall in the reverse order. A lot less messy that I thought it would be. Hope this helps someone.

 

[Kira]

Thanks for the pics.
I thinly coat the new fuel filter's nipples with silicone grease.

 

[sgtsandman]

The biggest hurdle is the connectors. Some times they are stubborn to get disconnected. The rest is simple after that.

 

[rumblecloud]

I was fortunate that they came off rather easily -- in two pieces, but they came off.
I did get a face full of dirt and gravel that gathered up in the frame rail over the years --- pppffffftttt.

 

[sgtsandman]

I was fortunate that they came off rather easily -- in two pieces, but they came off.
I did get a face full of dirt and gravel that gathered up in the frame rail over the years --- pppffffftttt.

The dirt is a given. Anytime you are under a vehicle, you are going to get dirt in the face.

 

[Kira]

A 2002 Volvo V70 I had used 2 opposing buttons on the sides of the connector. Push in at instinctive 3-9 positions.
They instantly and completely released. New filter popped in immediately.

The 2005 Ranger required the tool which resembles an inch of tubing with a slice so you can fit it over the fuel line. You push it into the connection like a Shark Bite plumbing connection.
These tools are dirt cheap. You could fabricate one with old Venetian blind slats.
Some persuasion was required on the filter's 3 connections. Grab and shake the line INTO the connector as you shove the tool in.
Give it forceful shakes every which way. Nothing herculean.
At 15 years of age I'm glad I got no leak. I use a tiny bit of silicone grease as mentioned above.

I've never seen the ones you pictured. Do you just break out the clips? You get new clips with a good filter?

EDIT: Beginners should keep in mind the old, possibly universal advice to get the gas tank as low on fuel as possible as an additional safety precaution.
I did and had no leakage. I can't say it's a requirement but why not play a safety card. Really, once a siphon starts you got yourself a flow.

 

[sgtsandman]

I've seen new clips come with a new filter before. One of my ex girlfriends had a 2001 Explorer Sport that had clip like that. I don't think the filter was ever changed from the day the thing was built. There was a lot of bad words uttered changing that filter.

 

[rumblecloud]

Yes. New U-shaped clips came with filter. Slip a screwdriver blade under a tab on the old clip and slide it away from the fuel line. My clips came off in two pieces. Then pull the fuel line off. Fuel line has two slots on either side at the end. Slide the line over the nipple and insert the the new clips which locks it in place.