2005 Fuel Filter

redhousenine said:

It's been some time since I've been here, but I have a fuel filter question.

So just this afternoon, I've noticed that my fuel filter started leaking gas. The other day I caught a whiff gas in the garage, but didn't see any obvious puddles underneath the car. Now, I'm capable of replacing the filter myself as I've done so in the past with other vehicles. The part that scares me is the very rusty bracket holding the fuel filter in place. I mean, it's so rusty that I'm sure that it's fused onto the filter, and wiggling the filter out would likely break the clamp. Furthermore, the clamp appears to be welded onto the frame of the car, so replacing it would not be possible. Any suggestions or insight would be helpful. Thanks! View attachment 222881

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The filter housing is stainless and will not stick to the rusty steel. The clamp is stainless and will still be OK.
Only the '01 comes with a new bracket. Best toss the new bracket and reuse the old rusty bracket. Removal of the bracket will likely result in !#@%$&.
On my past '01 I put a hose clamp on my new filter on the old rusty bracket. The 3 nipple on the '01 is a pain in it's own.
The "help" section in parts stores have hair pins for the different styles. I had '03 Taurus and '03 Sable. They had different hair pins.
If you have not done this, you put the hair pins in the hose fitting then push them on the filter nipples. The hair pins have a bevel on the lead in side to let them just push on and not come off. Slight bit of grease on the nipple will help.
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