2004 Ford Explorer Fuel Filter Location

The fuel filter on a 2004 Ford Explorer is located underneath the car directly in front of the fuel tank. Check out this Jerry guide for all the details.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Georgina Grant
background
The fuel filter on a 2004 Ford Explorer is located underneath the vehicle on the passenger side, directly in front of the fuel tank. 
The Ford Explorer is an excellent SUV that combines great crash test scores with quality handling and performance. And with room for seven, the Explorer is a perfect choice for family road trips or grocery store runs. But if you want to ensure that your Ford lasts for the long haul, you’ll need to know how to maintain it. 
That’s where
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, can help. Today, we’re going to discuss the fuel filter, a small but essential component of your car’s fuel system. We’ll also provide some tips for saving money on
Ford Explorer insurance
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Where is the fuel filter on a 2004 Ford Explorer?

No matter what make or model car you own, if it runs on fossil fuels, it will have a fuel filter located somewhere between the engine and the fuel filter. Your 2004 Ford Explorer has an inline external fuel filter installed directly in front of the fuel tank
The fuel filter in your Explorer is designed to filter out contaminants and debris before they make their way to your engine’s fuel injectors. The filter works in tandem with the fuel pump, which sends the fuel from the tank to the engine. Like air and oil filters, the fuel filter is essential to your car’s health.
Newer vehicles—like modern Ford Explorers—have fuel filters built into the fuel pump module. In these cars, you cannot service the fuel filter separately from the pump. While this design is efficient—since many fuel filter problems are due to issues with the pump—it does not allow you to service or replace your filter independent of the pump module. 
Your 2004 Explorer has an external inline filter that you can replace without having to service the pump or remove the gas tank. 

Signs of a clogged fuel filter

While fuel filter problems are often a sign that something is wrong with another part of the fuel system, you should be aware of the symptoms of a clogged fuel filter. These are some of the most common signs that your fuel filter needs to be replaced:
  • You have difficulty accelerating 
  • You have a misfire or rough idle
  • The vehicle stalls out
  • The car is hard or sluggish to start
  • You have a check engine light 
  • The exhaust smells unusually strong
A faulty or clogged fuel filter might also cause your fuel economy to drop and your vehicle emissions to increase. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. 

2004 Ford Explorer fuel filter replacement

You may need to replace the fuel filter on your 2004 Explorer if it’s clogged or malfunctioning. If this is the case, don’t worry. Replacement fuel filters for the 2004 Ford Explorer are relatively cheap, and since it’s an external filter, the labor costs won’t be too high, either. 
You can expect the replacement filter to cost between $10 and $25. If you want an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part, you should be prepared to spend a bit more, and you’ll be better off taking your car to the dealership. However, you can find cheaper alternatives at your local auto parts stores, like
Advance Auto Parts
and
O’Reilly Auto Parts
The numbers above represent the price of the replacement filter only. When you factor in the price of labor to replace your fuel filter, you’re likely looking at a total cost of between $75 and $150, depending on the repair shop and labor rates in your area. You can save yourself some cash by replacing the filter yourself, but don’t forget to consult your owner’s manual and repair guide to ensure you have the correct part and proper torque specifications. 
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

How to save on Ford Explorer insurance costs

Maintaining your car’s fuel system is an integral part of vehicle ownership. But it’s also essential to maintain a quality insurance policy to protect yourself and your vehicle. 
Luckily, the licensed broker super app,
Jerry
, can help you find the best rates on
car insurance
without sacrificing coverage. All you have to do to get started is download the app and answer a few simple questions. After that, we’ll take care of the rest by comparing plans and rates from dozens of the nation’s best providers.
We’ll shop around, so you don’t have to—and the best part is Jerry users average more than $800 in annual savings when they use the app to switch providers!
 “
Jerry
saved me so much time and money! I went from $230 to $150, still with full coverage! The whole process was amazingly simple!” —Ronda S.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings