Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 7 Micron FF for 2nd Gen?

[BDaugherty]

7 Micron FF...updated info.

I understand that there is a 7 micron fuel filter available for 3rd gen factory fuel filter housings. Does anyone know the part number and whether it will work with a 2nd gen housing? Has anyone used it? If so, how is the fit? I've heard that they look sort of low quality, but I've never actually seen one.

 

[RSimmons]

Yes they will fit your filter housing and they look the same as your 10 micron filter. These are now only supposed to be used on the 03 to 07 trucks. I have run one in the past but, I have the full meal deal fass with a 3 micron filter so, the stock housing filter never catches anything anyway. The only reason I have run through the OE filter is ; if the fass dies on the road, I have a holly blue pump setup I can switch to with only a few minutes under the truck.



FLEETGUARD FS19856 is the 7 micron



FLEETGUARD FS19855 is the 10 micron



Check them out here Filters - Fuel-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

 

[BDaugherty]

Great answer and good info. What the reason why one of these shouldn't be run in a 2nd gen? Is it due to fitment or is just "not necessary"?

 

[24V-DSL]

I've been using the 7 micron since they came out a couple of years ago. No issues, but they DO look a little "cheaper" in construction than the old ones. I'd never heard that they were supposed to be a 3rd gen. application... .

 

[BILLVO]

I run it in both my 02 and 05. No issues in the 02, works just fine.

 

[RSimmons]

Great answer and good info. What the reason why one of these shouldn't be run in a 2nd gen? Is it due to fitment or is just "not necessary"?

When the 7 micron was first introduced, they were prefered for 2nd gen and 3rd gen trucks. Keep in mind, this was when the change to ultra-low sulfer fuel was happening. This fuel hads a much better cleaning ability and would wash loose any sludge , not only from your tank but, tanker trucks and fuel station tanks. After being in service for some time, I believe the engineers decided that the filter was overkill for the older systems as they run lower injection pressures and have somewhat looser clearences than the common rail systems. The single biggest threat to the VP trucks seems to be starving the VP for fuel. Weak lift pumps or plugged filter both can kill an injection pump. If you monitor fuel pressure on the VP side of the filter and are prepared for possible more frequent filter changes, the 7 micron will definately be the better choice. The filtration becomes much more critical as injection pressures increase and injector orfices get smaller. If memmory serves correctly, the VPs run around 14,500 PSI. Common rail may run as high as 29,000 PSI. With the CR you also have 3 to 5 injections per cylinder fireing, VPs only 1. Any dirt in the system and common rail injectors go away real fast.



I tend to believe that you can't filter too well so, I would run the 7 micron and watch the pressures. This is one of the reasons I went with the FASS pump setup... . better water seperator and a 3 micron filter.

 

[BDaugherty]

My question is completely answered. Thanks to everyone.

 

[BDaugherty]

I'm approaching my next service interval, so I decided to investigate using a "3rd gen" 7 micron FF in my '01. I have been using Hastings filters because I can get them at a really great price. The Hastings part number for a 98. 5-02 is FF1160 and for 03-07 is FF1260. Using their website, I compared all of the physical dimensions and found that they were the same. The micron ratings were not posted, so I emailed their tech center and got the following answer:

FF1160 has a 1 or a 2 nominal with a 10 absolute micron rating

FF1260 has a 1 or a 2 nominal with a 5 absolute micron rating.

I will be installing a FF1260 this weekend. I'll post any significant findings such as fitment issues or a drop in fuel psi after the filter.

 

[dsherman]

Will the 10 absolute micron rating be restrictive ?

 

[JCyrbok]

This is my "understanding" of the 7micron vs the 10micron for the 2nd gen with the VP (can almost swear that I either read this here on the site or in TDR).



The VP, being so fuel flow sensitive, is better served by the 10micron as it is less restrictive and the VP does not need the higher filtration as while it is sensitive to flow issues it is not as sensitive to "junk" passing through it as the CP3 is. Also maybe something to do with the mechical injectors in the 2nd gen and the electric in the 3rd gen.



Just my laymans understanding of it. I could be totally off base, LOL. That said I will stick to the 10micron on my FASS.



J-

 

[grimesja]

I run the 7 micron Mopar filters from Geno's garage (a lot cheaper then Dodge). I have ran the filters from Napa. If you use the 7 micron, you will be changing it a lot more often, that should tell you something about trash. The ultra low sulphur diesel carries a lot of trash from the old tanks at fuel stations. I highly recommend the high efficeny filters especially with the VP-44 issues.

 

[BDaugherty]

dsherman, The 10 micron "absolute" is the factory spec for 98. 5-02 and would be less restrictive than the 5 micron.



JCyrbok, I completely agree with your argument that flow is more important than cleaner fuel to a VP44. That said, I have a aftermarket fuel system that provides about 20 psi measured at the VP44 inlet. My JWA has a fuel psi gauge and low psi alarm set to 12 psi. I would not recommend the 5 micron to anyone with a stock lift pump.



I installed the 5 micron FF1260 today. I compared it to the FF1160 and the only difference that I could see was the filter media looked different. After starting the truck, my gauge went right to 20 psi. I'll watch it on the way to work tomorrow and continue to monitor after that to see if I notice a drop in fuel psi as I put miles on it. I will continue to change the fuel filter at my normal oil change interval which is 5K miles or 6months.

 

[dsherman]

Sorry for a stupid question,But doesn't a 10 micron filter Do a better job at filtration Then a 5 micron filter or even a 7
Forgive me I am having a brain fart :-laf:-laf

 

[JCyrbok]

Sorry for a stupid question,But doesn't a 10 micron filter Do a better job at filtration Then a 5 micron filter or even a 7

Forgive me I am having a brain fart :-laf:-laf

nope it is like golf, the lower the number the "better. " 3 micron filter will catch everything down to 3 micron in size. 10 micron will catch everything down to 10 micron. 3 micron particle will get through a 10 micron filter.



J-

 

[dsherman]

nope it is like golf, the lower the number the "better. " 3 micron filter will catch everything down to 3 micron in size. 10 micron will catch everything down to 10 micron. 3 micron particle will get through a 10 micron filter.



J-

So with that being said ,Does 3 micron filter Add to restriction problems ?

And thanks again for answering my question

 

[JCyrbok]

So with that being said ,Does 3 micron filter Add to restriction problems ?

And thanks again for answering my question

In my, non engineer mind, it could. I would think that it could definately be a problem in the winter when the fuel is cold/thick.



I however have never run anything but the 10micron filter so I have no personal experience with that.



J-

 

[Jim W]

No fuel will flow through a 3 Micron size filter. I believe that I have read some where that the Fass system will offer a 3 Micron fuel filter on their system. I also believe that several members are using the Fass system on their trucks with no issues. The fine filtration is to prevent fuel pump/injectors failures do to small size particles at extremely high pressure. The higher your system pressure is the more chance there is for debris to cause a failure with the reduce clearance in the pump and injector ports.

I am a retired engineer who design hydraulic systems for off highway equipment. So I have experience pump/valve failures due to debris in the oil.

 

[BDaugherty]

I ran the 5 micron to and from work Friday. Compared to the 10 micron, there was a minor difference in fuel pressure readings. With the 10 micron, I would see 20-21 psi cruising @ 2K RPM. With the 5 mic, I'm seeing 20 psi under the same conditions. The main place that I've seen a difference is when the injection pump fuels hard, it seems to take a second longer for fuel psi to catch up. I've always seen a couple psi drop at that instant that the turbo spools and the pump fuels, however I have yet to see less than 16 psi even on level 6x5 WOT.

I expect to see a little more drop as the filter starts to pick up some trash. If I start to see a significant drop in fuel psi, I'll just change the filter. It seems to me that running the 5 micron filter is not too much different from any of the other mods that we commonly perform on our trucks. That is to say that it is a worthwhile upgrade that benefits the IP, however it also requires monitoring to prevent damage. Sort of like increasing fueling on our trucks. It has the benefit of added power, but requires monitoring to prevent damage.

So far, I'm enjoying the peace of mind from better filtration and I have yet to see fuel psi lower than 16. I'll continue to monitor and if I see any significant restriction, I'll post further details.

 

[Joe Mc]

The following text is an excerpt from the full info here: New 2-Micron Fuel Filter From Stanadyne | Diesel Progress North American Edition | Find Articles at BNET



"Designed for use as a final filter with Stanadyne's Fuel Manager diesel fuel filtration system, the 2-micron filter is independently rated at 99. 99 percent efficiency, the company said. By comparison, while a 5-micron filter will remove water and particles as small as 2 microns, the 2-micron filter is nearly 8 percent more efficient at the 2-micron level. Overall, noted Garner, the new filter element removes nearly 100 percent of all particles, versus 92 percent of all particles for a 5-micron filter element. "



And just in case anyone was wondering I've been using this 2 Micron System for well over 3 years now



Glacier Diesel Power - Product Detail



Note the filter is a Fleetguard Part # FF5320 = 2 micron cost from Cummins is about $12. 00, I change it out every "other" oil change. And before anyone comments that this is the reason for the latest addition to my signature = New Member of failed VP Club 3/09 they should know the failed VP had 175k miles and was the original pump, I bought truck w/75k so I'm happy it lasted that long (100k for me) :-laf

 

[FourBarR]

Just a bit of info on my expierence. My truck has of today 498,560kms(309790k)It has only the oem filterand has used the standard fleetguard filter since new. Now the surprise it has the original vp-44 and injectors.