2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Diesel Supplement 3rd Printing - Page 30

General maintenance information 1. Apply a coating of clean Diesel fuel to the new fuel filter o-ring. 2. Install new fuel filter o-ring onto fuel filter element. 3. Install new fuel filter and o-ring into the fuel filter housing. 4. Tighten cap onto fuel filter housing slowly, allowing fuel to soak into the fuel filter element. Tighten cap until it contacts the housing. 5. Install the resonator and resonator bolt. 6. Install the turbocharger heat shield, then the three bolts on the turbocharger heat shield. 7. Connect the air inlet tube to the resonator, then tighten the clamp on the air inlet tube. 8. Install the air cleaner(s), close the air cleaner cover, then close the four retaining clamps on the air cleaner assembly. 9. Connect the battery ground cable, then all electrical connectors, vacuum tubes and fasteners as necessary for installation. 10. Install the engine appearance cover. After replacing the fuel filter, the engine will purge the trapped air as it runs. The engine may run roughly and smoke until the air is completely eliminated. Using a fuel which has more than average impurities may require the fuel filter to be replaced more frequently than the service interval specifies. ENGINE OIL Checking engine oil level Because it is normal to add some oil between oil changes, check your engine oil level each time you stop for fuel. To check the engine oil level consistently and accurately, the following procedure is recommended: 1. Have engine at normal operating temperature (at least into the NORMAL range on the engine coolant temperature gauge). 2. Park the vehicle on a level surface, then turn off the engine and open the hood. 3. Allow at least 20 minutes after engine shutdown to assure that the oil contained in the upper parts of the engine has returned to the oil pan. 30