How to Change a 1998 Windstar's Fuel Filter

Ford's premiere minivan for the 1998 model year was the Windstar. Available with a 3.0-liter Vulcan V-6 or a 3.8-Liter Essex V-6 engine; the Windstar employed electronic fuel injection, no matter which engine powered the drivetrain. In order to operate at peak efficiency, the fuel injection system must have a clean fuel filter. Find the fuel filter in the fuel line forward from the fuel tank, along the driver's side frame rail, below the driver's door. Ford recommends replacing the filter every 15,000 miles to prevent fuel economy degradation and fuel injector damage.

Instructions

1

Start the Windstar's engine. Open the fuel pump shut-off switch door, located in the driver's foot well by the hood release lever. Unplug the wiring harness from the fuel pump shut-off switch.

2

Turn the Windstar off after the engine stalls and remove the key from the ignition. Chock the left rear wheel with two chocks to prevent the minivan from rolling.

3

Lift the front of the Windstar with the floor jack. Place jack stands under the front frame on both sides. Lower the Windstar onto the jack stands with the floor jack.

4

Climb under the driver's door area of the Windstar with the drain pan, fuel line disconnect tool and the new fuel filter. Center the drain pan below the old fuel filter.

5

Unseat the inlet and outlet fuel line retaining clips, housed in the fuel line ends where the lines meet the filter, using a fuel line disconnect tool. Pull the lines off the filter. Slide the old filter out of the cradle and place it in the drain pan.

6

Slide the new fuel filter into the cradle, with the flow arrow aimed toward the Windstar's engine. Slide the fuel lines onto the new filter. Seat the fuel line retaining clips.

7

Climb out with the drain pan, old filter and tool. Plug the fuel pump shut-off switch wiring connector into the switch.

8

Lift the Windstar off the jack stands with the floor jack. Pull the stands out from under the minivan. Lower the Windstar back onto the ground with the floor jack.

9

Prime the Windstar's fuel pump by turning the ignition key to the "Run" position for 10 seconds and then turning it off. Repeat this once before starting the engine.

10

Look under the Windstar to make sure there are no fuel leaks. Move the wheel chocks away from the back tire.