I’m changing the fuel filter on my ‘04 Ford Explorer and I want to know if I need to remove the fuel pump relay first? I’ve watched several videos on it and some people remove it and others don’t even mention it. Is it necessary?

 

If your vehicle has an electronic returnless fuel system, the fuel filter is inside the fuel tank and the only way to change that filter is by replacing the fuel pump module which includes the sending unit for the fuel gauge. Check price before starting job. Not cheap !! ( Filter sock is supposed to last the life of the vehicle)

Can we ask why you want to do this?

 

My fuel filter is underneath the passenger side of the truck next to the catalytic converter, not in the fuel tank.

 

Did you purchase the replacement filter yet?

 

Yes and I already installed it.

 

Did you need any special tools to disconnect it ?

 

Yes, I needed an angled disconnect tool that I purchased on Amazon (see photo). I must say it was very difficult to remove because you have very little space to work with but it was a lot easier to install. I hope this helps.

 

Spraying a little cleaner into the fitting, and blowing them out with compressed air along with some lite spray lube typically helps the fittings separation.

Good practice to remove the fuel relay and crank the engine, but bleeding off any residual pressure at the fuel rail shrader valve into container/large rag will help with an unwanted release at the fittings.

 

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind for next time.