aces-n-eights Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hey guys, new guy here with a maintenance question. We just picked up a 2017 MKZ Reserve, 3.0T engine and 34,000 miles. The owners manual says to replace the fuel filter at 35,000 miles. I've searched around but can't find much info on that... is that a DYI project or should i take it to the dealer? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, aces-n-eights said: Hey guys, new guy here with a maintenance question. We just picked up a 2017 MKZ Reserve, 3.0T engine and 34,000 miles. The owners manual says to replace the fuel filter at 35,000 miles. I've searched around but can't find much info on that... is that a DYI project or should i take it to the dealer? Thanks! Hi aces-n-eights. The MKZ has a "lifetime" fuel filter located in the tank itself. Check the Index of your Owners Manual under "Fuel Filter". You read something incorrectly. From page 314 of the PDF version of the 2017 Lincoln MKZ: "FUEL FILTER Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed." Your page may vary, but the information above is correct. Good luck. Edited February 27, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 Thanks bbf, i saw that in my owners manual, but i also saw on page 502 under "Scheduled Maintenance", "Other Maintenance Items" that every 35,000 miles you are to "Replace the fuel filter (3.0L only)". Hence my question...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, aces-n-eights said: Thanks bbf, i saw that in my owners manual, but i also saw on page 502 under "Scheduled Maintenance", "Other Maintenance Items" that every 35,000 miles you are to "Replace the fuel filter (3.0L only)". Hence my question...? Hi aces-n-eights. Hmmmm...you are correct and I believe this may be news to a whole bunch of us. At least as far as I can recall. It is odd that those of us with the 3.0T AWD would have a different fuel filter setup than the 3.0T FWD or other engines. However, my 2018 Owners Manual (PDF version) does state the same, except it is page 512 in the "Normal Scheduled Maintenance" section: "Every 30,000 mi Replace engine air filter. (48,000 km) Replace Fuel Filter (3.0L All-Wheel Drive only)." I guess we will need to do some research on this. Or perhaps it has been mentioned before and I never saw it. At least it corroborates when some of us tell people to read their Owners Manual, instead of taking the word of Internet strangers who may be incorrect (like me). ? Although I have a feeling our fuel filter is in-tank/not serviceable like the others and the Owners Manual has a misprint, it is still a nice catch you made there. Hopefully a tech member will jump in. Either way, one of us will get back with a final answer as soon as we know. Again...nice catch and good luck. Edited February 28, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 54 minutes ago, bbf2530 said: At least it corroborates when some of us tell people to read their Owners Manual, instead of taking the word of Internet strangers who may be incorrect (like me). ? Nice catch. Well, technically you're correct. ? You accurately quoted the text in the body of the owners manual where it says there is a permanent fuel filter. The section on Scheduled Maintenance has, apparently, a contradicting statement to replace the fuel filter. My 2017 manual says every 35,000 miles and for the 3.0L only. Your 2018 manual says 30,000 miles and 3.0L AWD... so a minor difference. Maybe i just need to toodle over to my local Lincoln dealer and ask them... but they will almost certainly tell me i need to replace the filter... whether i actually need to or not. I still have the question if this is a DIY project or if it is one to have the dealer do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 8 minutes ago, aces-n-eights said: Well, technically you're correct. ? You accurately quoted the text in the body of the owners manual where it says there is a permanent fuel filter. The section on Scheduled Maintenance has, apparently, a contradicting statement to replace the fuel filter. My 2017 manual says every 35,000 miles and for the 3.0L only. Your 2018 manual says 30,000 miles and 3.0L AWD... so a minor difference. Maybe i just need to toodle over to my local Lincoln dealer and ask them... but they will almost certainly tell me i need to replace the filter... whether i actually need to or not. I still have the question if this is a DIY project or if it is one to have the dealer do. Hi aces. Yes, we definitely have some research to do. If it is in-tank like all other MKZ engines, it is essentially a Dealer job. To do it yourself, you will either need to drop the tank or take out your back seat to get to the access panel. I have heard that most Dealer Service Departments will actually drop the tank, since removing the back seat leads to more collateral damage of the interior. If you do toodle over to your Lincoln Dealer before one of us: Besides asking which part of the Owners Manual is correct concerning the 3.0T AWD fuel filter (lifetime or not?), maybe also ask them if the filter is in-tank. And perhaps why the difference between the AWD and FWD models, if they say it does need to be changed? I'm giving you a lot of work to do here. ? I am still hoping one of our tech members will jump in with a definitive answer and save us the research and toodling. ? Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 Prior to toodling, i looked up a fuel filter at O'reilly auto parts. Here's the link... https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/fuel---emissions-16775/carburetors---parts-16801/fuel-filter-water-separator-12305/6bf814fc80d2/2017/lincoln/mkz?q=fuel+filter The style of this filter leads me to believe it is not internal to the fuel tank and is somewhere along the fuel line... if this part is accurate. Anyway, another piece of the puzzle. And yes, a tech member would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, aces-n-eights said: Prior to toodling, i looked up a fuel filter at O'reilly auto parts. Here's the link... https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/fuel---emissions-16775/carburetors---parts-16801/fuel-filter-water-separator-12305/6bf814fc80d2/2017/lincoln/mkz?q=fuel+filter The style of this filter leads me to believe it is not internal to the fuel tank and is somewhere along the fuel line... if this part is accurate. Anyway, another piece of the puzzle. And yes, a tech member would be great! Hi aces. Digging deeper myself, I found that the 3.0T AWD and FWD do seem to use two different fuel pumps with two different part numbers. And the price difference is approximately the cost of a fuel filter. Link: https://www.silverstatefordparts.com/v-2017-lincoln-mkz--reserve--3-0l-v6-gas/fuel-system--fuel-system-components So as we toodle along here, it seems to be getting more likely that there actually may be an in-line fuel filter for the 3.0 AWD. Personally, that would make me happy, since I have never cared for the in-tank "lifetime" fuel filters. More puzzle pieces! I'll post back as I find anything out. Edited February 28, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Just went to the Ford Parts website and it confirms the fuel filter for the 2017 3.0 AWD is external to the fuel tank. The location diagram is not too helpful in determining how difficult the filter is to change without the car on a lift. Link: https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/filters/fuel-filters/filter-assy-fuel-7815595-1 Will need to select a vehicle to see the detailed information for the filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 I just checked on the Ford Parts site for the fuel filter for my wife's 2017 2.0T AWD and turns out it also has a fuel filter external to the fuel tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted March 3, 2020 Author Share Posted March 3, 2020 Went over to my Lincoln dealer today and asked the question about fuel filters. Head scratching ensued. The Service Advisor said he had never heard of replacing a fuel filter on an MKZ. I showed him the owners manual. He went to the parts guy - no external fuel filter available. The SA was able to find a way in his computer to open a work order to replace the fuel filter, found the part and said it would take 1/2 hour to install. More head scratching. The SA talked to his lead tech and that guy said he had never heard of replacing a fuel filter. I told the SA that i had chatted with a guy online (bbf2530) that stated the owners manual for his 2018 had a similar requirement. Shoulder shrugs. The SA thinks it's a misprint... JimF, thanks for the links to the filter. This is consistent with what the SA found but inconsistent with the parts guys... Weird... So if anyone else wants to get their toodlizer on and check their local Lincoln dealers i'd be interested in hearing the conversation. I know a couple of guys that work for Ford and i will ask them where i can send a letter asking the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, aces-n-eights said: Went over to my Lincoln dealer today and asked the question about fuel filters. Head scratching ensued. The Service Advisor said he had never heard of replacing a fuel filter on an MKZ. I showed him the owners manual. He went to the parts guy - no external fuel filter available. The SA was able to find a way in his computer to open a work order to replace the fuel filter, found the part and said it would take 1/2 hour to install. More head scratching. The SA talked to his lead tech and that guy said he had never heard of replacing a fuel filter. I told the SA that i had chatted with a guy online (bbf2530) that stated the owners manual for his 2018 had a similar requirement. Shoulder shrugs. The SA thinks it's a misprint... JimF, thanks for the links to the filter. This is consistent with what the SA found but inconsistent with the parts guys... Weird... So if anyone else wants to get their toodlizer on and check their local Lincoln dealers i'd be interested in hearing the conversation. I know a couple of guys that work for Ford and i will ask them where i can send a letter asking the question. Hi aces. That's okay, it gets better. Just called my Lincoln Dealership and spoke to a Parts Department rep. I explained the Owners Manual situation for the 3.0T AWD, and he told me...in-tank filter, not serviceable, never heard of one being replaced. Exactly what I had told you previously. I said I guess it is a misprint and he agreed. He then said if I give him the last 8 of my VIN, he could check the database and "ease my mind". He checked and stated, "Huh...there is a fuel filter and it can be replaced. I have never heard that before". I asked him for the part number and he said FG-1083. Same P/N as you had earlier. So...I don't know. I think we need a tech or someone with access to the Maintenance Manual to see if/where this elusive fuel filter is located. I will not have a chance to stop by my Lincoln Dealership to talk to the Service Department until I go for an oil change in about a month or so (it is ~30 minutes in a direction I don't normally drive...lol). Oy vey. ?? Edited March 3, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Just as a follow-up to this discussion... I was in O'Reilly Auto Parts and asked about the fuel filter. He found the one i linked to previously. I asked if he had any diagrams about the location of the filter and he found a couple of pics. The filter is inside a frame rail, above the gas tank on the drivers side. It is behind a plastic panel that is held in place with 3 plastic push pin type connectors. Basically remove the panel, relieve the fuel pressure, remove the connectors on each end of the filter and replace. I haven't looked under my car yet to see what i can see, but that is the latest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, aces-n-eights said: Just as a follow-up to this discussion... I was in O'Reilly Auto Parts and asked about the fuel filter. He found the one i linked to previously. I asked if he had any diagrams about the location of the filter and he found a couple of pics. The filter is inside a frame rail, above the gas tank on the drivers side. It is behind a plastic panel that is held in place with 3 plastic push pin type connectors. Basically remove the panel, relieve the fuel pressure, remove the connectors on each end of the filter and replace. I haven't looked under my car yet to see what i can see, but that is the latest... Hi a&e. Thanks for the follow up information. Hopefully the warmer weather will give one of us a chance to look underneath and solve this mystery. I hope the Owners Manual and some of our sources are correct and we do have an external/replaceable fuel filter in the 3.0T AWD. Never cared for the in tank/so called "lifetime" fuel filter. Still curious as to why the 3.0T FWD MKZ has the in-tank/"lifetime" filter though. Good luck. Edited March 11, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 Went to my Lincoln dealer today and had them replace the fuel filter. The part was about $24 and labor around $80 so a touch over $100 to get it replaced. They were surprised as they had never done one, but sure enough, there was a filter in there to replace. I asked if i could go back there and see where it was located and they said no... oh well... It took between 30-40 minutes, so i don't think it's difficult to do. I wanted a Lincoln tech to do it because my car is still under warranty. So there ya go... it's not a misprint in the manual. If your Scheduled Maintenance says to replace the fuel filter there's a good chance there is one to replace. Plus you get the satisfaction of the puzzled looks on your service advisor's face.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramf411 Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 15 hours ago, aces-n-eights said: Went to my Lincoln dealer today and had them replace the fuel filter. The part was about $24 and labor around $80 so a touch over $100 to get it replaced. They were surprised as they had never done one, but sure enough, there was a filter in there to replace. I asked if i could go back there and see where it was located and they said no... oh well... It took between 30-40 minutes, so i don't think it's difficult to do. I wanted a Lincoln tech to do it because my car is still under warranty. So there ya go... it's not a misprint in the manual. If your Scheduled Maintenance says to replace the fuel filter there's a good chance there is one to replace. Plus you get the satisfaction of the puzzled looks on your service advisor's face.? Do you mind sharing the paperwork showing just the job description/ work codes? I would like to have mine replaced as well but would want to see their puzzled look before showing them the paperwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 Sure thing, here ya go... kramf411 and Denny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I was just looking at the Lincoln site for what the 30K maintenance is for my 2017 3.0tt AWD. Note that the second line says to replace the fuel filter.... 20K30K40K60K80K90K100K120K140K150K160K180K200K Replace engine air filter Replace fuel filter Inspect wheel ends for end play and noise Rotate and inspect tires; check wheel end play and turning noise Change engine oil and replace oil filter when indicated on vehicle message center or every 12 months, whichever occurs first MEMO: Gas engine; Up to 6.0 quarts of oil (IOLM) Inspect cooling system and hoses Inspect complete exhaust system and heat shields Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with underhood dipstick) Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake lines and hoses, and parking brake system Inspect and lubricate all non-sealed steering linkage,ball joints,suspension joints,half and drive-shafts and u-joints Perform multi-point inspection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Hi Scott. Yes, so does the Owners Manual, as acesandeights pointed out to start all of this. Looks like we finally have a concrete answer for those of use with the 3.0T AWD. And much better than the non-serviceable, in-tank, "lifetime fuel filters most cars have nowadays. WoooHooo! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramf411 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 3 hours ago, aces-n-eights said: Sure thing, here ya go... Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramf411 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I just scheduled an online appointment to replace the fuel filter. I included the part number and the maintenance schedule listed in the manual in the service request. In about 15 minutes later, I received a call from the service scheduler about cancelling the appointment because "there is no filter to be replaced, it is located inside the tank". I said it has been done and I have a copy of the service record - I was forwarded to the service advisor who told me "he has been with the dealership for more than 10 years and KNOWS there is no filter to be replaced. I said it has been done on another vehicle - he interrupted me and said how many vehicles has this been done out of thousands out there? I then asked does this mean some vehicles are specially made to have the filters inside and some outside? He put me on a brief 8 minutes hold and came back with " I guess we learn something new everyday". The car goes in on Monday. drolds1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aces-n-eights Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 1 hour ago, kramf411 said: " I guess we learn something new everyday". The car goes in on Monday. HaHa! Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon604 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 My 2017 MKZ 3.0t awd is just about ready for that fuel filter replacement. Is this a DIY or a dealer job? Dealer labour and parts are always more in canada . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Jon604 said: My 2017 MKZ 3.0t awd is just about ready for that fuel filter replacement. Is this a DIY or a dealer job? Dealer labour and parts are always more in canada . You can DIY but must understand how to depressurize the fuel rail line. That is the main importance. A service manual can be rented for 72 hours at https://www.motorcraftservice.com/ after making an account. Cost is about $21.95 USD, so that is around $31 CAD. The manual will tell you how to correctly perform a fuel filter service. Skill level is equal to that of an oil change once understood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon604 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 24 minutes ago, Zalvern said: You can DIY but must understand how to depressurize the fuel rail line. That is the main importance. A service manual can be rented for 72 hours at https://www.motorcraftservice.com/ after making an account. Cost is about $21.95 USD, so that is around $31 CAD. The manual will tell you how to correctly perform a fuel filter service. Skill level is equal to that of an oil change once understood. Zalvern, As always, you are a wealth of knowledge. Wow you can rent a service manual??.. I didnt know that. I wonder if someone copied it and have a free one floating around. I might not even have the tools to do the fuel filter service so after all that for something you will do every 3 years is a bit much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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