# Changing the fuel filter on a 2003 F-150 5.4

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, f150\
**Created:** [December 14, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698 "2010-12-14T13:50:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![andersonjl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@andersonjl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andersonjl)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698/1 "2010-12-14T13:50:45Z")

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Two items: How do I relieve the pressure in the fuel lines?  
  
  
  
 Do I really need the special tool shown in  
  
 [http://www…ilter.php?](http://www.fordf150.net/howto/fuelfilter.php?)

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698/2 "2010-12-14T14:04:45Z")

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One easy way to relieve the fuel pressure is to wrap a rag around the test port on the fuel rail and poke the valve core with a screwdriver or the like. Its like letting air out of a tire, but the pressure comes off almost immediately. A cleaner and safer way is to just pull the fuel pump fuse and crank the engine over a little. (Then do the above just to be sure).

Yes, you do need that tool or something like it. They’re not expensive.

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**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698/3 "2010-12-14T15:18:49Z")

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Yes, you need the tool. THAT’S the cheap way to do it.  
The clips inside the line are not sold separately and without the right tool you’ll cost yourself hundreds.

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**Author:** ![andersonjl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@andersonjl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andersonjl)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-the-fuel-filter-on-a-2003-f-150-5-4/58698/4 "2010-12-14T17:07:46Z")

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Thanks.