Fuel Filter
For all of you out there that don't want to pay your dealer or an automotive service garage $30-$45 to replace your fuel filter, this article is for you. The efficiency and effectiveness of any modification to your Mustang will be mute if you are starving your engine for fuel. The fuel filter should be replaced every 10 000 miles/15 000km. This time frame is variable and only a guideline. The filter can be replaced at anytime, especially if you know that you have purchased some dirty gas.
The filter itself is mounted up behind the differential, near the floor boards and just in front of the gas tank. It will be difficult to get at unless you either have the car up on jack stands or a full lift.
If you are working under your vehicle, make sure it is supported by secure jack stands. There is always accident reports indicating someone has perished because of working under a car that was only supported by the jack. Do not take any chances.....
Anytime that you are working on your vehicle that involves the fuel system, it is safest to disconnect the battery negative cable first. The picture shown in this article display the Mustang with no wheels on the vehicle. It is not necessary to remove the wheels for this installation. I found it a good time to rotate the tires, you might too.
The new Mustangs have what is referred to as a closed loop system that will probably retain some pressure in the system. Before you attempt to disconnect any of the fitting related to the fuel filter, you need to relieve that pressure. Under the hood on the 2002 4.6L, (looking at the engine) on the left hand fuel rail is a Shrader Valve. Remove the cap from the Shrader valve and with a small pointer or screw driver, very slowly allow the pressure to bleed off the system. Doing this too quickly will cause some liquid fuel to dispense. Always have your protective eyewear in place. You can cover the valve with a rag just before relieving the pressure. This will soak up and stop any fuel from spraying up and out. Once pressure has been relieved, replace the cap on the Shrader valve.
Once you have located the fuel filter, you will need to have a special removal tool handy. There are 2 locking/retaining clips that will need to be removed first. Lift up on the side away from the filter and rotate towards the filter. Once you have rotated the clip fully you can slide it towards the filter and it will snap loose of the solid tubing of the filter itself. Be careful, you do not need to force these, just make them cooperate.
Note the flow arrow direction on the existing fuel filter and ensure that you match the direction with the new fuel filter.
There is going to be a small amount of fuel that is going to spill out of the filter. If you replacement filter came with small end caps on the tube extensions, use these to cap off the existing filter. This will help to minimize the fuel spillage. Be very careful not to get any spilled fuel in your eyeballs.
I am going to skip ahead one step and then back because it helps to explain why you can't just get the filter off once these clips have been removed. Inside the flared end of the gas line that comes from the tank and goes to the engine, there are 2 small spring clips that snap over the raised neck of the filter tube. The picture is not that clear, but look inside the fitting.
You will need to have some special quick connect removal tools. These are available at most of the auto supply stores like Checker, Autozone etc for about $10. There will be several sizes of plastic sleeves to pick from, choose the one that closest resembles the tubing on the filter. The sleeve is split longitudinally so that you can get it on and off. Slip it over the tube and push the filter and the flanged end together a little and then move the sleeve towards the flanged fitting. The sleeve will force the little spring clips out and allow you to remove the filter. Otherwise you will struggle and struggle till the cows come home.
To replace with the new filter, the tubing of the filter just needs to be pushed firmly into the flanged ends of the fuel lines. The little spring clips with automatically slide over and lock on the filter. Replace the retainer clips removed earlier, clamp the filter back into it's mounting bracket. Don't forget to reconnect the battery negative cable. Be careful when removing the car from the jack stands.
$15+/- for the filter, $10+/- for the clip removal package and 20 minutes in time. Remember no fuel, no go...