Changing Fuel Filter

[Worstenemy453]

IS it simple like screwing the old one off and putting the new one on ?

Just want to make sure, im ordering my new filters now. Im keeping one as a spare.

 

[Exekiel69]

Well not THAT simple but simple. You want to fill the new filter with good fuel of some additive or atf what ever You like to have some fuel before You crank it till the batteries/starter dies to get the air out of the system.
Get Yourself a big channel lock (My best friend) or filter wrench bc this suckers do like to get stuck and they are not on the best location for a good grip. You'll want to crank the engine (wife or trusted friend on the cab) and bleed it before You start it.
Except for that yes it is simple.

 

[Worstenemy453]

What do you mean bleed it ? How do i know when its bled enough ?

sorry if i look like a noob

 

[gatorman21218]

On a 7.3, The oil filter and fuel filter are the same diameter, so a good filter wrench will work on both. I dont know about the 6.9. I ordered my filters off filterbarn.com I got Cornbinder filters for like 9 bucks each. I fill my filter up with a 50/50 mix of Dex/Merc ATF and Diesel KLEEN.

 

[Worstenemy453]

I got 2 Wix filters from Rockauto for $10 a piece. They were $20 a piece on summit.

 

[Exekiel69]

What do you mean bleed it ? How do i know when its bled enough ?

sorry if i look like a noob

There is a bleeding valve on the filter head to push out the air and let the fuel fill the filter, that is before You start the engine. If I were You I would do this with time in case something goes wrong unless You have more than one vehicle.

 

[rhkcommander]

FIRST, warm up your truck before you do anything else.

then take the old one off. Fill new one with atf or diesel on filter side to make sure junk aint getting into the engine. some use seafoam, dieselkleen, w/e. just put something in and top it off, make sure its topped off.

install the new fitler full of liquid. tighten it down, then go crack some injector lines loose. get in and floor it until u see diesel coming out the injector area and/or hear it trying to fire.

 

[Worstenemy453]

I guess ill get my stepdad to help me out when i get my filters. Thanks guys.

 

[Exekiel69]

I got 2 Wix filters from Rockauto for $10 a piece. They were $20 a piece on summit.

You've got a good deal, they are $25 a piece now.

 

[icanfixall]

For me the eay way of doing a filter change is warm up the motor first. Now a 7.3 filter usually has a top and bottom section that threads off. Filling the filter before you reinstall it is important if you don't have an electric lift pump. You want to pour clean fuel or whatever into only the outer ring of holes in the filter. This will cause the filter to do its job. Pouring fuel into the big center hole is not filtering the fuel before it reaches the injection pump. Any dirt you can't see will ruin the pump. About bleeding out the air. The filter mount will have a schrader vlave. Turn on the key and jumper the fender solenoid to turn over the motor and use a screw driver to press open the schrade valve core. Its the fitting that looks likewhat you have on any car, bike or truck tire to inflate them. Fuel will squirt out of this so use some rags so not much of a mess is make. Wehn mostly fuel is noted then hold the throttl wide open and jumper the solenoid again. If it does not start crack open severl easy to reach injector lines at the injectors. You should be able to hear air escaping. If you don't then look for fuel to leak out some. It wont be a gusher either. Just a tiny bit. Some like to leave some lines cracked open but that can be a mess if the motor starts up. Fuel will be squirting out under very high pressure. It can hurt you if your fingers are trying to tighten up the nuts... Holding the throttle wide open is going to make this all work faster because the idle setting is allowing a very smal amount of fuel to reach each injector.

 

[dsltech83]

Knock on wood, but i've never had a problem getting one to start doing a filter change when warm at work. spin old filter off, fill new filter full of clean atf, hold throttle wide open until start and run at 1500-2000 for a minute or two to purge air from system.

 

[RLDSL]

Some filters use an extra rubber oring around the threaded nipple. Your new filter may or may not come with one , if it doesn't, it doesn't need it, but make sure to check the threaded nipple for an old rubber ring and remove any there and discard them, also make sure any old outer seals aren't remaining on the mounting surface or your new filter will not seal, and if it's a 2 piece filter make darn sure to oil the seals up good and do not overtighten
I don't know if the 6.9 has the water sensor port but if it does and you need to switch it out, do it carefully.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I know that you have gotten a lot of good advice from some of the best here.


That being said, I never ever had to bleed anything when changing fuel filters.


Screw the old one off.

Fill the new one FULL of diesel or whatever.

Smear some oil or vaseline on the rubber seal.

Make certain the old seal didn't stay stuck to the flange.

Screw the new FULL filter on.

Start the engine and drive away.



I have changed filters on a bejillion diesel trucks, tractors, bull-dozers, track-hoes, etc., and I have never yet ever had reason to bleed anything.

 

[lotzagoodstuff]

IS it simple like screwing the old one off and putting the new one on ?

Just want to make sure, im ordering my new filters now. Im keeping one as a spare.

Is your fuel filter light on, or are you just preparing or have you been running waste motor oil or anything besides straight diesel? I carry a spare all the time, but I've got to say I am not a fan of changing the fuel filter until it needs it (the light comes on) as it's not like an oil filter where you are feeding the output into the engine over and over.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[Worstenemy453]

I know that you have gotten a lot of good advice from some of the best here.


That being said, I never ever had to bleed anything when changing fuel filters.


Screw the old one off.

Fill the new one FULL of diesel or whatever.

Smear some oil or vaseline on the rubber seal.

Make certain the old seal didn't stay stuck to the flange.

Screw the new FULL filter on.

Start the engine and drive away.



I have changed filters on a bejillion diesel trucks, tractors, bull-dozers, track-hoes, etc., and I have never yet ever had reason to bleed anything.

Thats the one i like.

Is your fuel filter light on, or are you just preparing or have you been running waste motor oil or anything besides straight diesel? I carry a spare all the time, but I've got to say I am not a fan of changing the fuel filter until it needs it (the light comes on) as it's not like an oil filter where you are feeding the output into the engine over and over.

Just my .02 worth.

Ive had some weird issues and i dont know the history so i want to go ahead and handle the pick-ups, sending units, and the filter just so i know. the IP and Injectors are next.