Fuel filter change frequency

[Newsa]

Didn’t wait until afternoon. Drained rear filter/separator. Inspected the resulting liquid that drained out. No water separating from the fuel after sitting

 

[Bob4x4]

I rarely see water in the many trucks I see but when I do it's usually enough to warrant inspecting the fuel tank

 

[Mingoglia]

In the 14 years I've owned diesel Ram trucks, I've been fortunate to never have had water in my fuel. Granted my ownership length is a fraction of a large percentage of the folks here. I've often wondered if this may happen with higher frequency now that we have capless fuel systems. Just seems to me dew in wetter climates would get in there and seep in. This is the main reason I got one of those fuel filler plugs, other than the anodized aluminum looked cool.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just changed both fuel filters today at 15,197 miles. The engine mounted filter looked near new. Did not cut open the frame mounted filter. Zero water in either filter. A minuscule amount of tiny particles were in drained fuel from frame mounted filter. I am VERY impressed with the quality of this filtration system.

 

[Mingoglia]

Just changed both fuel filters today at 15,197 miles. The engine mounted filter looked near new. Did not cut open the frame mounted filter. Zero water in either filter. A minuscule amount of tiny particles were in drained fuel from frame mounted filter. I am VERY impressed with the quality of this filtration system.

You went 197 miles over. Your whole damn truck is going to cease to run now!

 

[Cummins12V98]

I know! I also went over the 6 month oil change interval also. I did have around 11K on the oil.

I got to see something and do something new today. I had the DEF come on and tell me to get some DEF into this thing or it was going to crawl to 5mph. So I fueled at Loves and actually got brave and used the DEF at the pumps. It was really easy. I have conquered my fear of DEF at the pumps!!!

 

[Mingoglia]

I know! I also went over the 6 month oil change interval also. I did have around 11K on the oil.

I got to see something and do something new today. I had the DEF come on and tell me to get some DEF into this thing or it was going to crawl to 5mph. So I fueled at Loves and actually got brave and used the DEF at the pumps. It was really easy. I have conquered my fear of DEF at the pumps!!!

Until you get the dreaded light that tells you you should have filled up from a box.

I always wait until the last minute to fill up so I use it all up. Was coming back across country, and was down to the point where the light came on. Stopped off at a hole in the wall truck stop and they were out of the boxes, but instead had a gallon container of name brand stuff. This container though didn't have a spout/funnel. Figured I'd try to use the funnel under the seat, but that didn't fit the DEF hole. Almost panicked. I was down to a hundred miles or so, and using up DEF fast since I was towing. Stopped in some banjo playing town in Alabama at like 2 am. Shady crap was going on in that parking lot. They had DEF in gallon jugs. White jugs that pretty much just said "DEF" on them. Was the equivalent of the generic cans of Duff Beer from the Simpsons. It did come with a funnel though. I dumped that in, and then used the same nozzle for the gallon jug of Peak I had (which didn't have a nozzle). Figured I'd add some name brand stuff with the questionable stuff and I'd be fine. Never had a problem, but since then I carry an extra nozzle in my bed toolbox. Nothing like running out of something just because you don't have a means of getting it in the tank.

Mike

 

[gsbrockman]

I was down to a hundred miles or so, and using up DEF fast since I was towing.
Mike

That's not low.........
This IS LOW :-laf
#ad

 

[Mingoglia]

That's not low.........
This IS LOW :-laf
#ad

So does this mean the truck only goes into limp mode AFTER the next restart? Meaning once the counter hits zero it doesn't immediately happen?

 

[jhenderson]

Supposedly

 

[Newsa]

Never had a problem, but since then I carry an extra nozzle in my bed toolbox. Nothing like running out of something just because you don't have a means of getting it in the tank.

Mike

If its in your toolbox, and there are greasy, oily, or dusty/dirty tools in there, try to protect your funnel/spout from any contamination. I use a ziplock bag. It is wise to keep some deionized water on hand to rinse it off. Def contamination can occur when adding def. Deionized water won't rinse off grease or oil though. Don't rinse off with hard water. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Newsa]

I know! I also went over the 6 month oil change interval also. I did have around 11K on the oil.

I got to see something and do something new today. I had the DEF come on and tell me to get some DEF into this thing or it was going to crawl to 5mph. So I fueled at Loves and actually got brave and used the DEF at the pumps. It was really easy. I have conquered my fear of DEF at the pumps!!!

Did the pump require a "magnevator" magnet? If it did, did they have one on hand for you to borrow? Or did you have one already?

 

[Mingoglia]

If its in your toolbox, and there are greasy, oily, or dusty/dirty tools in there, try to protect your funnel/spout from any contamination. I use a ziplock bag. It is wise to keep some deionized water on hand to rinse it off. Def contamination can occur when adding def. Deionized water won't rinse off grease or oil though. Don't rinse off with hard water. Just my 2 cents.

We're talking about my brand new truck. My "toolbox" doesn't carry anything in it I wouldn't carry in the truck itself. I have baby wipes in my truck and still clean my hands before getting into it. ;-) Yes, the nozzle is would up and in a bag.

 

[gsbrockman]

So does this mean the truck only goes into limp mode AFTER the next restart? Meaning once the counter hits zero it doesn't immediately happen?

When I snapped that pic, I was already about ~ 40--50 miles below "zero miles". :-laf I was in BFE and had to buy a 2.5 gal jug of Peak at an Advance Auto (I almost always buy at the pump). I actually left the truck running, re-filled the DEF, and continued my journey towards home. That would have been a good time to have "tested" the de-rate feature, but I was skeeeeeeeered and 7.5 hours from home. :-laf

 

[Mingoglia]

When I snapped that pic, I was already about ~ 40--50 miles below "zero miles". :-laf I was in BFE and had to buy a 2.5 gal jug of Peak at an Advance Auto (I almost always buy at the pump). I actually left the truck running, re-filled the DEF, and continued my journey towards home. That would have been a good time to have "tested" the de-rate feature, but I was skeeeeeeeered and 7.5 hours from home. :-laf

I wouldn't have been able to make it 40-50 miles without having an anxiety attack.

 

[Bob4x4]

You guys are having way too much fun. I carry 200 mile tow coverage.....cause when I break I break big!

 

[Newsa]

So does this mean the truck only goes into limp mode AFTER the next restart? Meaning once the counter hits zero it doesn't immediately happen?

http://mid-southpower.com/news/index.php?id=6

Answer: Not in reality. See the last half of the short post above.

One detroit diesel & 2 Cummins tested