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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2002 fuel filter change

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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Many problems

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A couple of years ago, I saw a post on how to change the fuel filter but I cant seem to find it now. Can someone point me in the right direction ?





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Stop the engine, screw the top of the filter housing off with a (IIRC) 1 1/8" socket lift the cover off. It's been more than five years since I looked at a 24 valve.

The filter will be suspended from the cover by clips in the cover. Remove and replace and set aside.

Drain fuel from cannister using water in fuel drain valve on bottom of cannister.

Remove and replace the O ring around the cover lip, put a dab of oil on the O ring, reinstall cover, tighten. Don't remember torque but it is very small. Easy does it so you don't crack the lid.

Turn key enough to bump starter and listen to fuel transfer pump run for 25 seconds to refill cannister. Cycle it a second time to make sure it fills with fresh fuel.

Start engine and check for leaks.

Once in a while when changing filter, use soft clean lint free rag and wipe water in fuel sensors in bottom of cannister clean while filter is removed and fuel is drained.
 
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Here you go - -

Easy to do, but kinda hard to reach, I use a little two stepper ladder on drivers side. I use a 8oz. plastic bottle and open the water drain valve on the side of the filter (I've taken the extention hose off) and drain out about 1/2 a bottle. Then using a socket and extension from a 3/8" set and an 1-1/8" socket with a 1/2"X3/8" reducer remover the plastic cap from the filter housing. I then take an empty coffee can and slide it down beside the filter housing, and pull up the filter cartrige, and place it in the coffee an, then fish the coffee can out. I then use a battery type squeeze bulb and suck the fuel, dirt and any water out of the filter housing. I try to get any trash out at the same time. If I have to wipe out the canister, I use a very small rag and make sure I don't leave any lint or other trash in the filter housing.



Next I cleand up the filter cover and remove the old 'O' ring, and put the new 'O' ring in the O ring groove, I use the 4oz. of fuel I drained out of the filter when I started the job and wet the 'O' ring, at the same time I wet the seal on the filter at the bottom where it slides over the center of the housing. (This propbably isn't necessary, but I was taught to do this on old Cat Tractors) Then the fun begins, carefully take the plastic cover and CAREFULLY engage the threads, being careful not to disturb the 'O' ring and not cross thread it, and tighten by hand until it stops turning. Look real closely and the way it fits. It should be even all the way down. Take the socket and extension an tighten firmly, being careful to to strip the threads. Then turn the ignition key and bump the starter until the fuel transfer pump slows down, indicating the filter body is full. I like to check the 'O' ring area to make sure it isn't leaking. If all is well, then start the truck (make take several times to get the air out of the system. Once it is running, check the 'O' ring area for leakage- - No leaks, you are good to go. If the 'O' ring is leaking, do not reuse it.

One thing I did was replace the plastic cap with the machined aluminum cove from Geno's - - It has a 1/8" plug in the top than can be losened to let air out when you prime the filter. I also has a 3/4" nut machined on the top that is a whole bunch easier to work with.



Hope this helps
 
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After you install your filter cartridge and reinstall the cap, don't try starting it right away. Instead, bump the starter then leave the key ON and let the lift pump run until it stops (20-30 seconds). While it is running you might put a bag under the drain spout and crack the valve open a moment to make sure you got good fuel flow (and this will help bleed air out). You might repeat bumping the starter a couple times (but don't need to open the drain valve).

Go ahead and start it. If air got into the injection lines it might sputter and/or die, no big deal just try restarting it (might take 2-3 attempts of cranking it 10-15 seconds at a time with your foot on the throttle).

Sometimes when people change their fuel filter they have trouble restarting the truck and discover the lift pump is dead or dying. When you are bumping the key and you get little to no fuel flow out the filter drain then it's time to start checking into a possible dead lift pump.
 
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