Stuck my head under my TJ today and found something that looks like a fuel filter. At rear, passenger side. Is it? Second gen is under the bonnet. How often does it need to be changed (if it is the fuel filter)?

Yes thats the fuel filter. Should be done at the same time as the air filter IIRC.

OK. Thanks for that. Can't do the air filter and fuel filter at the same time though, arms aren't long enough to reach both at the same time. lol ( = JOKE )

You need a little "doo-hickey" to assist unclipping the fuel lines off the filter - there are a few versions around which do the job.

I think the fuel filter change is a LOT less frequent than the air filter, the 100K services seem to ring a bell to me. That said, neither of my cars have scored a new fuel filter yet.

Speaking of the little 'doo hickey'. Does anyone know the proper name or style of disconnecter they are? The local auto shops know nothing about them, and i cant seem to find any info on the net as to the exact type i need. My mechanic mate says he has no idea either. He works on mining gear though.

Doo-Hickeys: There are a few ways to attack these...

basically the fuel-lines use a connector which pokes onto the flared tubing, and have (usu) two little plastic tabs which push out of the way as the connector pushes on, then the little tabs flick back in and lock the connector on.

What is required is a gadget which will slip along the fuel line, slip up inside the connector and ease the little tabs outward - allowing the connector to disengage.

I have seen a set of plastic rings, of graduated sizes, sold at SuperCheap for a fantastic sum of money - in the "specialist" tools section, think the packages are blue and yellow. Things like ball-joint seperators and spring compressors and mechanics stethoscopes are in that same section. These are costly and have about 6-8 different sizes, most of which I'll never use. When I say costly, they might be $18-00 - but for what they are its highway robbery (about 15cents worth of plastic involved).

What I have found is a little scissor style gadget, has two sets of curved plastic "blades" at either end - so it suits two sizes of tubing-connector. Not sure where I found this style, may have been a Repco or Bursons auto parts shop.

If you ask for a fuel-line disconnect tool, most places would be able to assist, I'd have thought.

EDIT: Post by "Brown Falcon" in this link has a pic of the type I bought....
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/974880-help-cant-remove-fuel-line-from-fuel-sensor-after-dropping-tank.html

The fuel filter on mine looks brand new, no dirt on it and shiny, so its going to stay on there for a while. Probably got done by the previous owner at 90,000, its now at 111,000 Km, so its sweet.

When I changed mine, I didn't use any tools to unclip it. In the manual it says to press in the tabs with your fingers and slide forward till the tabs push in then slide the line back and it slips off. Then to put on, just slide it on the filter pipe and slide till it clips in.

This same as a commodore. Pain the rear end grrr

i purchased a new ryco fuel filter from supercheap auto today for $24 , and it came with a white piece of plastic clip, in the box there is a small note of attention for all ford au's to use the supplied clip,
but what i did to remove the old fuel filter from my magna was slit the piece in half with a stanley knife and then wrapped it around the fuel inlet tube and pushed it towards the existing clip and it worked just a good as the specific tool for the job, no need to go hunting around for something you don't need altho i have never bought another brand of fuel filter so i am unsure if the piece of plastic i have described is contained throughout the brands

if pics are needed i can supply ...

I've changed the fuel filter on both of my TJ's and no special tool is required. The workshop manula says to reduce the pressure in the fuel line by disconnecting the fuel pump (it's plug is located under the plate under the read seat) and then starting the car and letting it run until it stops (ie when it uses the fuel in the fuel line). The clip on the high pressure fuel line is removed by gently pushing it TOWARD the fuel filter and pressing the release tabs on each side of the high pressure fuel line at the same time and then pulling the line AWAY from the fuel filter. It's the other side that's harder to disconnect...

Yup, push the fuel line in towards the filter, squeeze the tabs in and pull back. May take a couple of attempts to get it right.

I'll add that even after you've run the engine with the fuel pump disconnected there's still residual pressure in the line.
Wear safety glasses and wrap a rag around the connection when disconnecting it.

While you do not need the special tool, it sure does make it easy however and for only about 6 bucks is well worth it

Also, undo the metal fitting first, any pressure will then be gone, be sure to release the fuel cap as pressure in the tank will force fuel out as well

While you do not need the special tool, it sure does make it easy however and for only about 6 bucks is well worth it

Also, undo the metal fitting first, any pressure will then be gone, be sure to release the fuel cap as pressure in the tank will force fuel out as well
That I didn't know. Thanks Mal :)