Comprehensive fuel filter article

[PLohr]

Wondering if there is a comprehensive article in one of the TDR magazines discussing options for fuel filtration. I've read quite a few threads about adding fuel filters and water separators. In the near future I would like to add some kind of fuel filtering system to my 2003 Dodge Ram. I have not had diagnostics done yet, but am pretty sure the injectors have been damaged by dirt in the fuel. The idle has been slightly odd for a number of years but now it has become a little worse.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Paul Lohr
2003 Ram 3500, SRW, 2WD, 6 speed manual

 

[DFrank]

I too seek this system, and hopefully it will be the same of my '03 and '05 to simplify install on the second one.

My injectors went at 160K on the '03. Lost the CP# at around 195.

I'd love to avoid doing this again to either truck.

I've read about the FASS and the Air Dog. I know you need a better pump to have a better filter.

Can either of these systems do double duty to use my fuel tank to fill up heavy equipment?

I have diesel fork lifts at work, that don't use enough fuel to justify carrying a transfer tank, but enough tot make Jerry cans a lousy option.

I'd love to be able to pump out half the contents of my tank quickly in the equipment.

 

[TGVET]

I too seek this system, and hopefully it will be the same of my '03 and '05 to simplify install on the second one.

My injectors went at 160K on the '03. Lost the CP# at around 195.

I'd love to avoid doing this again to either truck.

I've read about the FASS and the Air Dog. I know you need a better pump to have a better filter.

Can either of these systems do double duty to use my fuel tank to fill up heavy equipment?

I have diesel fork lifts at work, that don't use enough fuel to justify carrying a transfer tank, but enough tot make Jerry cans a lousy option.

I'd love to be able to pump out half the contents of my tank quickly in the equipment.

373,800 now. OE injectors, pump & rail. Using Glacier DPw/Baldwin 2mc and Baldwin OE canister filters changing both every 10-15K when I do my Amsoil oil changes. I'm amazed at reading how little miles are on other peeps rigs with blown pumps, injectors, rails etc.. Had many other issues with the truck but it still runs like a Swiss watch. The Cummins that is.
Thinking I'll take it in for a DRB scan when I hit 375K to see how all reads out.

 

[6speed]

I am at 250K on my injectors, cp3 pump with a FASS system. I have had 3 water pumps, 3 serpentine belts, a belt tensioner. an idler in this amount of time. I change the air/water separator about every 15k and then it and the filter about every 30K. I check my oil so often that I am probably wearing the dip stick out keeping an eye on the oil to make sure I am not making any. I tow heavy, have Smarty with some settings that may be a little to high. I have a 105 gallon aux tank, and I try to buy all my fuel at the same place. I don't travel far enough from home that requires me to buy fuel other places. With a total of 140 gallons on board and about 125-130 usable, I can go quite far round trip. I drove to Tucson from Mid GA and still
had 35 gallons. But I had to buy some there. I usually only travel the SE

 

[cerberusiam]

The in-tank will pump thru 3 filters if they are high enough flow. You will lose a bit of HP at max rpm but unless you are looking for max hp across the range it won't matter.

A FASS from Geno's would be the next best choice. A FASS with a 10 UM solids and th ebest water separator, best available filter in the OE housing, and a 3 um in front of the CP-3 will be the ultimate in water striping and filtration.

 

[TGVET]

The in-tank will pump thru 3 filters if they are high enough flow. You will lose a bit of HP at max rpm but unless you are looking for max hp across the range it won't matter.

A FASS from Geno's would be the next best choice. A FASS with a 10 UM solids and th ebest water separator, best available filter in the OE housing, and a 3 um in front of the CP-3 will be the ultimate in water striping and filtration.

Cerb,
What filters are you using ?

 

[cerberusiam]

Baldwin's and Donaldson's.

 

[DFrank]

Thanks. Sounds like I don't need a bigger pump.*Richard at Glacier replied to my email with this same suggestin, and of course he's be happy to sell me one and still says I don't need it.*The assumption that I did need a pump is What had been keeping me from doing this sooner.*And the FASS you mention is a filter housing or is that a pump?

 

[cerberusiam]

FASS is complete pump and filtration system in one unit, external mounted on the frame.

 

[Motorhead]

I have run the Glacier add on secondary filter on my '07, 5.9. It mounted cleanly and I change he filter every 25-30k miles. I also have a primary fuel pressure sensor and gauge that is mounted AFTER both filters and check it regularly. Even in full engine load conditions, I have more than ample fuel pressure.

 

[MrBodecker]

How about this and call it good? http://www.dieselfuelfilterkits.com/cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html

 

[Motorhead]

Nice set up ^. The OP will still need to replace his worn out injectors or risk an engine.

 

[BLNRAY]

my vote goes to the fass pump,mine is the 150 I run HF6604 and FS1065 filters,just rebuilt injectors at 415,000mi.,fass pump has about 375,000mi on it.

 

[DFrank]

That unit Mr Bo posted looks nice and maybe an easier install.*This feels like the better choice. Anybody see drawbacks to it?do I need to add fuel gauges to these trucks?I assume that's an easy add to my 05 with the edge insight.*For the the 03 I'd need to get more creative.*Thanks.*

 

[TGVET]

my vote goes to the fass pump,mine is the 150 I run HF6604 and FS1065 filters,just rebuilt injectors at 415,000mi.,fass pump has about 375,000mi on it.

Awesome. Way to go.

 

[PLohr]

Thank you all for your help. I have been researching water separation, filtration and system design. I may be over-analyzing. I've learned some things that I will pass along once complete.

Has anyone come across test results of well known water separators?

 

[DFrank]

The simpler system I was looking at from glacier diesel, adds a 2 mic filter, but uses the stock water separator.

Where does that really come up short, and how often are folks actually draining their factory water separator?

I bet I've drained mine only 5-8 times in the 13 years I've had it. It never looked like there was any water, but would you even see it?

 

[PLohr]

The simpler system I was looking at from glacier diesel, adds a 2 mic filter, but uses the stock water separator.

Where does that really come up short, and how often are folks actually draining their factory water separator?

I bet I've drained mine only 5-8 times in the 13 years I've had it. It never looked like there was any water, but would you even see it?

DFrank,
If the water drain on the separator were more accessible, I might drain it once a week. But it only gets drained at filter changes. Not good on my part.

I found that the media used in a water separator is not the same as the media used in a fuel filter. Although, some water separator media looks like it can get down to 2-3 microns (of solids?) based on manufacturer specifications. I haven't found any test results to back this up, but manufacturer specifications point towards a water separator being able to catch both water and dirt particles. The flow path of a dedicated water separator is better optimized for water removal.

How effective do we think the factory fuel filter / water separator might be at removing water?

I am open to correction on any of this.

Paul Lohr

 

[User113]

Where does that really come up short, and how often are folks actually draining their factory water separator?

I bet I've drained mine only 5-8 times in the 13 years I've had it. It never looked like there was any water, but would you even see it?

I thought that you only really need to drain it when the Water in Fuel light comes on. The manual states:

Drain a small amount from the fuel/water separator
filter periodically or when the WATER IN FUEL indicator
lamp is on. (Page 334, 2004 model year owner's manual.)

Note that there is no description of what "periodically" means, and the two conditions are in the alternative.