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Ford Mustang V6 and GT 2005-2014: How to Replace Fuel Filter

Replacing the fuel filter on your Mustang is cheap insurance to guarantee you are achieving maximum performance. Over time, deposits in the filter restrict flow, which diminishes the performance of your Mustang.

By AJ Mawley - October 9, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 and GT (2005-2014).

After years of running your engine, your fuel filter accumulates a lot of deposits that can end up restricting flow. A faulty fuel filter can throw check engine codes, cause your car to run lean, and reduce performance. Replacing your filter is never a bad idea to make sure you are keeping your fuel system happy. Before replacing the filter, it is sometimes recommended to run a fuel system cleaner like Sea Foam through the system, so you can contaminate the old filter instead of the brand new filter. This job is a very important maintenance item to make sure that your Mustang runs for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Materials Needed

  • 8mm wrench
  • 10mm socket and ratchet
  • Rags

Step 1 – Remove fuel pump relay and disconnect battery

Remove the fuel pump relay (#21) to ensure that the fuel pump doesn't turn on while you complete this job. Crank your engine over five times to make sure that the fuel is cleared from the lines. Then, disconnect the negative (black) terminal on your battery with a 8mm wrench.

Figure 1. Fuel pump relay location.

Pro Tip

Do not skip this step or your results will be dangerous and messy!

Step 2 – Remove fuel line shield

There are three 10mm nuts that need to be removed the pull down the fuel line shield. Once they are removed, you can simply pull the cover down.

Figure 2. 10mm nut location.

Pro Tip

Set these nuts aside in a safe place, so you do not lose them.

Step 3 – Remove fuel filter

First, remove the 10mm bolt clamping down the fuel filter as shown in Figure 3. Now, the fuel filter's fuel lines can be removed by pushing in the green tab and pulling off. Have rags ready to collect any fuel that might spill from the filter. Once these lines are removed, you can simply slide the old filter out.

  • Figure 3. Removal of 10mm bolt clamping down filter.
  • Figure 4. Gas tank side fuel line removal.
  • Figure 5. Engine side fuel line removal.
  • Figure 6. Removing old filter.

Pro Tip

Removal of the old filter can only occur in the direction as shown in Figure 6.

Step 4 – Install new fuel filter

Installing the new filter is simply the reversal of the above steps. Make sure the fuel lines "click" on and install the 10mm bolt on the filter clamp. Reinstall fuel line shield and install fuel pump relay and connect negative battery terminal. Crank your car on and enjoy your new fuel filter!

Figure 7. New filter installation.

Featured Video: How to Change Your Fuel Filter on Mustang GT

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