Cobble a retention clip for a high pressure fuel line????

Why not just get a replacement clip and do it right? If I'm not mistaken the part number you need is a 3S4Z-9A317-BA. How much could it cost...and when it comes to something that could potentially result in a fuel leak is cost even an issue?

 

Heh, well........I'd hate to break the bad news to you, but Ford uses two types of clips for the fuel line.

The first one is a white tab with large tang on top, those should come with the fuel filter and HAVE to be replaced every time you change the fuel filter.

Unfortunately, if you have the tab's with the screw impression on them designed for prying them out, first off, you aren't supposed to take them ALL the way out (I learned the hard way but fortunately they didn't break on me so I spread them and put them back in with no issues).

Secondly, Ford doesn't sell the clips seperate, they're integral with the fuel line, and it's expensive. But what you can do is go to a junkyard, find an '03+ Focus, CAREFULLY pry out the white clip from the fuel line (you'll need to pinch the ends with your finger to get it out while prying), then before you stick it in your Focus bend the tabs outward enough to where you can slide it in the fuel line and it won't come back out.

Don't half-ass this, if the line comes off and sprays fuel, especially on the exhaust, it will ignite.

 

The first one is a white tab with large tang on top, those should come with the fuel filter and HAVE to be replaced every time you change the fuel filter.

News to me, because I have changed a bunch of fuel filters, and they never come with clips, nor have they ever need to be replaced. Just push in, and it releases.

 

Secondly, Ford doesn't sell the clips seperate, they're integral with the fuel line, and it's expensive.

I find that quite interesting, since the Ford parts catalog shows an illustration of the clips and also lists the 3S4Z-9A317-BA part number for them.

 

Some of the fuel filters come with a white plastic tab attached to one end of the fuel filter; I believe MY20ZX# and Egz are talking about different parts altogether.

I have never been able to really determine what the included white plastic tab attached to the fuel filters "did", and have always (for the past five years and 125k+ miles) just deleted them into my plastics recycling, and gone my merry way. So far, I haven't turned my car into a VBED or gas-spewing, mobile EPA disaster, so they can't be that integral to the whole attachment issue.

The "pry up by squeezing them with your fingertips" white tabs attached to the flexible-ish plastic line (the ones you then push back "in" with an audible "snap") should be able to be ordered or come separate in a bag re: given part numbers--one for the front and rear of the filter. I won't ask how expensive can they be, because I just had thirteen stitches in the local ER and they sent me a bill for US $2200.00!!! I'll believe ANYTHING regarding such highway robbery, of the car or medical type.

I don't believe zip tying it will hold the filter on as well, or will accomplish what you seek to do--secure an area with a hard source into place.

--Scott

 

When I asked about the clips, the parts department at a Ford dealership told me they're integral with the fuel line.

Egz, all the fuel filters I've boughten for EFI/SEFI Fords have come with fuel clips, but they were Fram, different brands might not have them.

And yeah, I'm sure you can use the same clips for 10 years if you want, but if the part comes with them, and it's free, what's the harm in changing them to be on the safe side?

 

News to me, because I have changed a bunch of fuel filters, and they never come with clips, nor have they ever need to be replaced. Just push in, and it releases.

News to me, I've changed a couple fuel filters myself and they usually come with new clips, especially the Focus fuel filter. I usually need to replace them with the new ones because I mangle at least one of the old ones while trying to get it out of the fuel line. :lol:

 

When I asked about the clips, the parts department at a Ford dealership told me they're integral with the fuel line.

It could very well be that the clips come with the fuel lines too, but the Ford parts catalog clearly shows they're available separately under part number 3S4Z-9A317-BA. At least this is the part number for Zekester's '04 2.3L.

You may want to try a different parts department if the one you work with won't make the effort to look up the parts and are making a guess....possibly based on past history if the the clips previously were only available with the fuel line. But the clips are definitely available separately today.

 

Okay, maybe this is another one of those Ford things where each car they assemble is different, based on the parts availible. All I know is every fuel filter I've changed, you just push in the white rectangular "button" to release the clip, and the filter nipple slides out. And none of the filters I've bought ever came with clips. Both on my 03, and on a friend's 00.

 

Okay, maybe this is another one of those Ford things where each car they assemble is different, based on the parts availible. All I know is every fuel filter I've changed, you just push in the white rectangular "button" to release the clip, and the filter nipple slides out. And none of the filters I've bought ever came with clips. Both on my 03, and on a friend's 00.

Yeah, same here. What the hell manuals and parts are the rest you guys coming from?
Every filter I have bought (Motorcraft, Ford, Fram) was only a filter, no clips, and the clips were easy to release, I never mangled one of them.
I would like an answer to this, is it '03 and newer that have different lines? or what?

 

I believe they changed the clips for the '03, the same year they went to returnless feed fuel injection (older Zetecs have a return line with a vacuum assisted fuel pressure regulator, the last Zetecs have no return line, and they use a fuel pressure sensor to tell the PCM how much to drive the fuel pump).

And I wouldn't understand why a fuel filter would come without clips. I gotta change my fuel filter soon anyway so what I'll do it post some pics of the fuel filter and clips it came with (the older style), and the ones I have on my car (the newer style)

 

I believe they changed the clips for the '03, the same year they went to returnless feed fuel injection (older Zetecs have a return line with a vacuum assisted fuel pressure regulator, the last Zetecs have no return line, and they use a fuel pressure sensor to tell the PCM how much to drive the fuel pump).

And I wouldn't understand why a fuel filter would come without clips. I gotta change my fuel filter soon anyway so what I'll do it post some pics of the fuel filter and clips it came with (the older style), and the ones I have on my car (the newer style)

You are very mistaken, the North American Focus, all years, used returnless. Never was there a fuel presure regulator for a return system.
Who told you that line of BS?

 

focus systems are all returnless...

ZIPTIES WORK JUST AS GOOD AS CLIPS! I have had zipties on my fuel lines for over 28000 miles and not one hiccup. zipties on the lines in the engine bay, zipties on the fuel filter...no problems.

 

You are very mistaken, the North American Focus, all years, used returnless. Never was there a fuel presure regulator for a return system.
Who told you that line of BS?

But I read it on the internet so it has to be true!!!! (Yes - I'm being cynical)

 

focus systems are all returnless...

ZIPTIES WORK JUST AS GOOD AS CLIPS! I have had zipties on my fuel lines for over 28000 miles and not one hiccup. zipties on the lines in the engine bay, zipties on the fuel filter...no problems.

Alright, I coulda sworn I saw an '00 Focus with a fuel-pressure regulator, must be the drugs.

I guess you can use zipties, just keep your car 200 yards the hell away from mine, LOL.

 

I'm turboed and no problems after 70k miles

 

Alright, I know this post is dead but I got the pics.

And you better damn well appreciate it. I got stung by a bee doing this!

The old style Ford fuel clips (used in about every car and truck from the 80's up to the late 90's)

The fuel filter I bought at Autozone, came with the clips shown above

And the new style Ford fuel line clips that are in my Focus (How the hell you ziptie these safely is beyond me).

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/MY50GT/0818071706b.jpg

 

Dude the one that comes with the fuel filter from the dealer and or autozone is different from the one I have with my 04 2.3L focus. The one that comes with the filter is thicker than the one I have now. So i basically broke a clip, and I ran it without one.


6 months later, I start the car, smell fuel, and found out that the line came off from the filter. So now I've been going everywhere to look for clip and I actually got a white one from the FORD dealer, and it turns out, it still doesn't fit, so I have no clue where to get this white thin clip that my car comes with. Anyone know??