[TheShocker]

im wondering if there is a how to on changing a fuel filter on 05+ focus. ive seen how to's for 04 and below but not 05 +

 

[jetrinka]

Its real easy. I don't have any pics but heres a quick walkthrough.

-Jack up the rear passenger side of the car and support on a jack stand.
-Disconnect negative battery cable.
-Fuel filter is located around 1 foot in from the passenger side and around 2 feet in front of the rear wheel.
-Disconnect the clamp from the chassis that holds it up.
-Disconnect the two clips attached to the lines going to and from the filter. (gas will spill but there is no way around this really. Just have lots of rags handy and don't get it in your face)
-Take filter out and disconnect from its holder.
-Put new filter in the holder and installation is the reverse. Just make sure the filter is turned the right way so it flows correctly.

Some people like to pull the fuel pump fuse and run the car till it stalls to de-pressurize the fuel system and minimize leakage. Tried it by doing this and have done it without and it made no difference in my case so I don't even do that anymore.

 

[bluefront]

It's not quite that easy......particularly if the car has been driven in any dirty/muddy conditions.

The first time I changed the fuel filter, the clips were stuck on by the hardened mud. Even after the clips were loose, the filter was still stuck on the lines. Break one of those plastic lines and you'll probably need a tow to a dealer. Nasty job, unless you luck out.

It's a dumb setup IMO.....

 

[Egz]

The 2005+ should be exactly the same as the 2000-2004. Its the same car.

 

[homeboyjames]

my st seemed to be a pain i couldent get the clip undone than when i did bam gas all in the eye but oh well.. pays off to be able to use the lift at work now

 

[UnFocusedST]

Well if any of you have the under side coating, it can get sticky. That underside protection coating that ford puts on if I get hit by gas it will liquify and get extremely sticky. Took a couple days to get it off my hands.

 

[pistolgripbmx]

If you pull the fuse for the fuel pump, i'm not sure which one it is at the moment, and start the car until it stalls out, you won't get as much fuel spraying out when you dissconect the lines. There are also a tool available to dissconect the clips so you don't have as much of a problem breaking them.



edit: i can has problem reading previous posts.

 

[FucusFace]

Here is a tip to decrease the amount of gas spill from the fuel filter. Disconnect the quick connector clip and hold the fuel filter level. Crush the male endform on the old fuel filter with pliers or vise grips and cover with the vinyl male endform covers from the new filter.

I design those plastic quick connectors. The ones on the Focus are from another company and they suck. I came up with a new design that is easy to remove by hand or a screwdriver and you don't have to worry about breaking it. I just had a meeting with Ford yesterday and they seemed interested, so hopefully they will have them on 2010 vehicles.

 

[bluefront]

I never pull the fuse and run the engine till it dies...to reduce the fuel pressure. Bad idea IMO, that can cause problems (detonation being one).

Instead I loosen the gas cap to reduce pressure, and point the connection away from my face as I loosen the line. Very little spillage this way. The clips on my filter couldn't be designed any worse.....and are almost guaranteed to break or deform as they're being loosened.

 

[Ezpimpin]

it really costs next to nothing to take it to a shop n get it done, buy the filter yourself so they don't smack you with that n let them take their hand at it, the risk of breaking clips or lines just isn't worth it imo

 

[the_07ninja]

X2 but is good to wrench on your car and learn this kind of easy stuff, at least IMO

 

[UnFocusedST]

I opened the gas cap. Then I just unhooked the two clips and unbolted the fuel filter holder and replaced it.

 

[jetrinka]

Its really so easy. I don't know how you guys break clips... All you have to do is push a tab on the side in and slide it out. Its really not that tough.

 

[UnFocusedST]

Yeah one of my buddies warned me about that tabs. I will agree it is really simple. Just take your time like anyother car project. After you get the car off the ground or at least the rear it will take you maybe 10 minutes to pull the old filter and replace the new one.

 

[Egz]

Its really so easy. I don't know how you guys break clips... All you have to do is push a tab on the side in and slide it out. Its really not that tough.

I'm surprised at the amount of people that have troubles with the tabs. They just push in and release.

 

[nardvark]

I think there may be some confusion because the clip style changed. One of my friends who has also has a Focus with the newer clips ('05 I think) was trying to detach them as if they were the old style, because he found an outdated how-to online. Not sure if they survived him trying to force them the wrong way, but I could see how this would lead to a lot of broken clips.

Now when I did the filter on our '06, the lines came off and on real easy, so I don't see how people have trouble with the new clips.