who has a 2 micron fuel filter?

[Jim Fulmer]

Fleetguard filter head and a Racor S3201S 2 micro filter x 2, one for each system.



Jim

 

[Johnstra]

Cat's web site states the following:



"... Advanced Efficiency Fuel Filters are specially designed for today's higher injector pressures and precise components, using a super-fine filtration media to provide superior particle removal. Using Advanced Efficiency Fuel Filters yields maximum performance, longer component life, fewer repairs and lower engine operating costs. "



It specifically says "... removes more that 98% of particles 2 microns or larger. "



-john

 

[brods]

Since I'm not an engineer I had to send the note to my son, a PE to have him put it in terms I understood... . and what I learned was that it was their belief (filter manufacturer) that no company could hold 2 microns for more than a few hours with the pressures we are seeing in our trucks... . that at best 10 was what they felt they could do, month in and month out... .



...

What "pressures" are you guys talking about? Is it about keeping the differential pressure (pressure drop) across the filter low? Is the concern primarily during low temperatures? Could you PM me the email (with all references to the person and filter company removed if you like) ?

 

[seafish]

Oh, and the Baldwin filter is rated at 5u @ 98. 6% efficiency... the one that fits the 3rd gen filter housing.

steved

Steved, do you have a part# for the Baldwin 5micron filter that fits the stock housing. Also, how long have you been running one and do you monitor fuel pressure?? TIA

 

[MFalkinham]

Anyone taken a 2-micron setup through a winter yet? I'd think fuel pressure may be a problem once cold weather really shows up.

I have a Walbro 392 and a 2-micron PermaCool filter/separator mounted back by the rear wheelwell. During the sub-zero weather last winter I was seeing some severe pressure fluctuations. At first I thought it was my Walbro going bad and even swapped it with my spare, but it continued jumping around between 0 - 22PSI.

Turned out it was the new ULSD begining to gel. I had already added the standard amount of Power Service (white bottle) like I do every winter, but it wasn't enough. I had to TRIPLE-TREAT the fuel before the problem went away, and apparently I wasn't the only one with problems. I don't think it was due to having a 2-micron filter; it would have started to gel regardless, and the only reason I knew it was happening was because I have a FP gauge.

 

[p-Bar]

Brods

We are not filtering the high side 28,000 psi it's the low side 20psi or so , I'm sure a company like Racor wouldn't give mis information.

 

[brods]

Brods

We are not filtering the high side 28,000 psi it's the low side 20psi or so , I'm sure a company like Racor wouldn't give mis information.

Exactly.



Without knowing the context of the statement "that no company could hold 2 microns for more than a few hours with the pressures we are seeing in our trucks" it is hard to be sure what it means. Because of the relatively low supply pressures, I'm guessing it is about keeping the pressure drop across the filter low, even after passing many gallons of fuel through it. In other words he might be saying filtering to 2 micron will load up the filter too quickly. Again its hard to be sure without knowing the context in which the statement was made.



BTW I've worked in the filtration industry for a while and still learn new things all the time. Just curious what the experts said.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Turned out it was the new ULSD begining to gel. I had already added the standard amount of Power Service (white bottle) like I do every winter, but it wasn't enough. I had to TRIPLE-TREAT the fuel before the problem went away, and apparently I wasn't the only one with problems. I don't think it was due to having a 2-micron filter; it would have started to gel regardless, and the only reason I knew it was happening was because I have a FP gauge.

steved & MFalkinham, here's an interesting read related to ULSD & filter plugging - quote from article: http://praxis.staveleyfa.com/public/ULSD_Article.html



ULSD has unique characteristics due to the refining process to remove the sulfur. It increases the paraffin wax content, and enables the fuel to retain more dissolved water, unlike its High and Low Sulfur counterparts.

 

[steved]

Steved, do you have a part# for the Baldwin 5micron filter that fits the stock housing. Also, how long have you been running one and do you monitor fuel pressure?? TIA

Part # PF7977



I have a FASS, so I don't run the factory filters... there was a thread on here about the Baldwins around the first of the year...



steved

 

[steved]

Exactly.



Without knowing the context of the statement "that no company could hold 2 microns for more than a few hours with the pressures we are seeing in our trucks" it is hard to be sure what it means.

Especially since as a filter "loads", it actually provides better filtration (at a reduced flow rate)...



steved

 

[steved]

steved & MFalkinham, here's an interesting read related to ULSD & filter plugging - quote from article: http://praxis.staveleyfa.com/public/ULSD_Article.html



ULSD has unique characteristics due to the refining process to remove the sulfur. It increases the paraffin wax content, and enables the fuel to retain more dissolved water, unlike its High and Low Sulfur counterparts.

I'm pretty sure what I saw last winter was the filter waxing from this very reason. The fuel was "cloudy" when I inspected it, but not gel'd, which neans it had wax crystals forming...



They do saw the cloud point and gel point of ULSD is within a few degrees, unlike the LSD which is something like a 15* difference. Once ULSD starts to cloud, you're not far from gelling.



steved

 

[brods]

... . and what I learned was that it was their belief (filter manufacturer) that no company could hold 2 microns for more than a few hours with the pressures we are seeing in our trucks... . that at best 10 was what they felt they could do, month in and month out... .

Thinking about it, the comment makes perfect sense if the context was about a 2 micron drop in replacement for the stock filter. If limited to the size of the stock filter, it would be difficult to design a filter with enough surface area so that it would run a reasonable amount of time before clogging up.

 

[steved]

That's assuming we have awfully dirty fuel isn't it???



I mean, with enough "dirt", you can clog any filter fairly quick...



And other than the media is about doubled, I run the FASS filters 50k or more before changing them... can't be THAT much dirt...



steved

 

[Bob4x4]

Racor 2 micron here

#ad


Somewhere around $50 iirc



Bob

 

[brods]

That's assuming we have awfully dirty fuel isn't it???



I mean, with enough "dirt", you can clog any filter fairly quick...



And other than the media is about doubled, I run the FASS filters 50k or more before changing them... can't be THAT much dirt...



steved

Well, keep in mind you have to deal with the worst case. There are several things working against a 2 mic drop in. First is the constraint on the filter media surface area. If you pull a stock element apart, you will see there is not much room to add more pleats. Now factor in that tighter micron rating material will typically have less open area per square inch (basically means the total pore or hole area for the fuel to flow through will be less). Now add that the pores are smaller and will clog up quicker. Now factor in the cold flow spec the filter must meet from that TSB so the truck will run in the winter.



Much easier to make a physically larger filter which allows for much more filter media surface area.



Anyhow, I assume the fass system can tolerate a much higher pressure drop across a cold dirty filter than the stock lift pump system can. What was the limit in the tsb, like 5 psi for the stock system?

 

[Tinman]

Like rbattelle, I when with a Stanadyne unit. However, I put in a FM1000 between the CP3 and stock filter. At stock power or a little above, the FM100 would do. But I didn't want to out grown the fuel filter so I got the 1000. It's a pretty big head. They to make shorter filters that allows it to fit. I put up a thread a while back detailing my experience and some pictures.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...8-stanadyne-fm1000-2-micron-final-filter.html

I'm going to put in a FM100 in my wife Liberty CRD when the warrenty expires.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Try this,..

I have an 04 3500 and plan on adding a second fuel filter, (2 micron) since dodge over looked this. Every one that I talk to tell me that the stock filter doesn't do the job it should at 10 micron. Can any one suggest a good add on filter? and where to get it.

Call Summit and get the Permacool unit and it comes with the 2 micron and it's about $35 and change. Can't beat it.

 

[rbattelle]

Regarding a 2-micron filter's ability to trap enough dirt, in my opinion that's why you run multiple filters.

I have the stock filter, rated to about 10 micron. Then the "final finishing" filter that runs to 2 micron.

So my 2-micron filter has to deal with a relatively small amount of debris, since all the big stuff was already handled by the factory filter.

I think this kind of "filtration in series" is common on applications where a very fine filtration level is required.

Ryan

 

[Bob4x4]

Back in the day all the tractors in my fleet had primary and secondary filters. I doubt that has changed much if any.



Bob

 

[2broke2smoke]

with all the opinions flying about has no one on here monitored pressures pre and post the 2 micron filter?



seems incredible that anyone would bolt on an additional filter not designed for this application and not monitor pressures firsthand ...



c'mon guys someone prove me wrong and give me some pressures