fuel filter

[John Mackie]

the side with the plastic clip came right off the the other side has a metal band clip like the one holding the fuel line going into the fuel rail any ides how to get it off is there a special tool any ideas?

[CoachKarl]

Oh, that end, I forgot about the front of that thing. There is a $5 plastic tool you can buy at any auto parts store. You jams into that fitting, pressing it forward, while you pull rearward on the filter. I usually can get this sort of thing undone by twisting and pulling the filter, with a short jewelers screwdriver jammed in the slot.

[CoachKarl]

Come to think of it, jamming the tweezers from my swiss army knife into that slot worked best.

[Dngrsone]

The fuel filter often comes with a little piece of plastic specifically included to handle that fitting.

[wiswind]

On my '96, There is a connector on one end that you can undo without the special tool.
The other end has a "redundant" clip that is metal....then you slide the plasic release "tool" up inside the metal fitting.....so that it will release the internal clips that clamp to the flair on the filter nipple (or tube comming out the filer).
They sell the plastic tools as a "set" of various sizes.
The set that I bought said to use the 3/8 inch size for FORD 5/16 inch fuel line fittings.....which would apply to the windstar.

The filter that I bought included 2 plastic clips that are designed to replace the plastic clip on the end that you do not need the tool. I only needed 1 of the clips. I saw filters that did not include the clips......I lucked out and my old one was reusable.....as in did not break or deform....but....that does seem to happen when I have extra new ones laying right beside the filter.

I think that these "special" tools are labeled as being for air conditioning connectors and cooling line connectors (like the tranny cooler connectors on the radiator). So you will want to look for that labeling
as well. Mine cost about $10 (US) for a set..at Autozone...so $5 or $10....is not an expensive thing. and are reusable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You MUST release the fuel system pressure before starting the filter change. The fuel system retains pressure after the car is off....
This is done at the little valve (much like a tire air valve) that can be found (on my '96) at the center of the front fuel rail.

You can find instructions on changing the fuel filter (including how to release the fuel pressure) under "vehicle specific" repair information at www.autozone.com