The 7.3 diesel engine found in some Ford trucks and vans uses a fuel and water separator that is installed between the fuel tank and the fuel injection system. This is to remove the water found in some diesel fuels, to ensure that it's kept out of the injection system. You need to remove and maintain this filter on a regular basis, otherwise water could enter the fuel system and cause engine problems. Before this happens, you can remove the 7.3's fuel and water separator in 20 minutes.
Open the hood and locate the fuel and water separator, which is on the firewall of the engine. Put the gas can under the separator. Open the valve on the bottom of the separator by hand to release fuel pressure in the system.
Remove the fuel lines running into the fuel water separator with a line wrench. Remove the lines running into the cylinder head on the engine with a line wrench.
Unplug the wiring leading to the fuel and water separator with your hands. Unbolt the fuel water separator from the truck with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then remove the fuel and water separator from the engine bay of the vehicle.
