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2001 Ford Taurus fuel filter location?
I would like to replace the fuel filter in my 2001 Ford Taurus and was wondering where it is located and is it something a mechanically capable person can replace themselves . It has the plane jane 3.0 liter v-6 engine. Thanks in advance
Like all Taurus models it's next to the right rear tire and the gas tank. It's hard to miss and very easy to change yourself. All you need is a socket wrench and the new filter.
The first thing you have to do is trip the gravity switch to shut off the fuel pump. This is the most importanct safety procedure in replacing the fuel filter. This will stop gasoline from spraying all over you at high pressures when you change the filter. The switch is located in your trunk and is marked by a label that says something like "emergency fuel shutoff." Remove the trunk lining, unclip the switch, and shake it vigorously until the switch pops up. The purpose of the gravity switch is so that if you are ever in a high speed accident or your car rolls over this switch will pop and fuel will no longer be supplied to the engine. Now that the switch is popped, try to start your car. If your car starts, let it idle until it dies on its own. If it won't start and just rolls when you try to start it, you're ready to take off the filter.
Jack up the rear right of the car, remove the filter from its housing with the socket wrench, and make sure you see which way the filter is pointing. The new filter will almost definitely have an arrow facing in the direction of the engine, but it's always safe to make sure yourself. When you remove the filter be prepared for a fuel spill. Never lie directly under the filter. There can be as much as one pint of fuel that will spill out of the filter and fuel line, so try to catch as much of it as you can with a cut-in-half milk jug. You don't want to put this fuel back in your car because it will have a lot of water from the fuel filter, but you don't want it spilling all over the place either. Replace the fuel filter making sure it is facing the right direction and make sure it is clipped properly and secure. Re-attach the filter to its housing, lower the car, and re-activate the gravity switch by pressing the raised button.
Now you can start the car. It will roll the first couple of tries obviously because there is no fuel in the engine. Once you get it started, let it idle for a few minutes and check the ground under your car for fuel leaks.
And that's about it.