Spin on Fuel Filter Direction of Flow

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Silly question but which direction do the after market spin on fuel filters and water separators flow? I ask because I installed a CAT 1R-0750 and Baldwin BF1212 filter just shy of two years ago prior to installing new injectors. Decided it was time to replace the filters and after draining them I could see black sludge in the bottom of both filters. Not completely covering the bottom but most of it. I let it sit overnight upside down and then scraped some of it out and I can't determine what it is. Then I got worried thinking that if the flow is from the outside in then how did that stuff get through the filter material.

I have not checked the factory filter housing but it was replaced late last year and it was clean as a whistle.

 

[Wayne M.]

SUPPOSED to be in the outside perimeter and through the middle. That's why you're not supposed to pre fill filters. You're putting dirty where clean comes out.
Black sludge? Sounds like you've got a bacteria growth. There are special additives for that, and step up your filter change interval. Run your tank down more often. Drain off your water seperator till this is fixed.

 

[Wayne M.]

If you do have a bacterial issue going on, use something like this.

http://powerservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/BioKleen_Tech_Bulletin_2016.pdf

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Thanks for the info Wayne. I will look into that.

 

[cerberusiam]

The back sludge is probably asphaltenes being cooked out of the fuel, they will settle out just about anywhere. The more that settles out in the filters or tank is less buildup in the injector's.

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

The back sludge is probably asphaltenes being cooked out of the fuel, they will settle out just about anywhere. The more that settles out in the filters or tank is less buildup in the injector's.

Thanks for the reply Cerb. That raises a question of how it would get cooked out of the fuel on it's way from the tank. It's been hot here in AZ but I wouldn't think that would cause the separation, or would it? Thinking it through I would think that if it is hot enough entering the filter that the material would be filtered by the 2 micron CAT filter. That is assuming the individual molecules are larger than 2 micron absolute.

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Or is this indicative of a problem with excessive fuel returning from the head or fuel rail after it has been heated by the block or engine compartment? I know how to check the HPRV but now sure how to check the fuel that returns from the head. Or am I off base here and looking for a problem that isn't there in the fuel return?

 

[cerberusiam]

The reason the fuel filter turns black is the asphaltenes, those are the molecules larger than the media. Lots more much smaller than the media going thru the system. Ambient temp is not the heat source, the engine itself is. There is a constant cooking of the fuel as it goes thru the CP-3 and injectors and returned to the tank. The general rule is under normal driving conditions about 70% of the fuel delivered by the LP is being used for lube and cooling in the fuel system and returned to the tank. The fuel is constantly cooked going thru the CP-3 and injectors then cooled returning to the tank causing the formation of the asphaltenes which then start accumulating is back water type places and restrictions from the tank to the injectors.

Injector cleaning products and functions are centered around cleaning the this accumulated build up from the rail and injectors, good reason to run a fuel additive also.

 

[Wayne M.]

Tell us more about your drive cycle, type of fuel, fuel level habits, filter change interval etc.

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Tell us more about your drive cycle, type of fuel, fuel level habits, filter change interval etc.

I drive 12 1/2 miles to work. It's about 1 1/2 miles to the freeway 9 1/2 miles down the free and another 1 1/2 to my destination. 3-4 times a month I take trips back and forth between my other office which is a 10 minute drive using a cross town parkway. Even in the coldest of winters the engine gets up to operating temp. It helps it always hot in Arizona. Replaced injectors at 179K with new ones and at that time installed frame mounted water separator and 2 micron filter.Those two were replaced this week at about 196K. Oil changes are about every 12 months (~9K miles) which includes new filter. Run Rotella 15w40. Oil analysis returns no significant wear.

I fill up at a 2 year Frys station every 14 days. Sometimes I will only put a partial tank in because I get tired of waiting. Couple times a year it sees B5 or B100. Either self brewed or from the pump. Run Power Service at least once a year. Last time was over the winter to prevent gelling due to freezing temps where I was at on vacation.

It sees about 2-3 trips up the mtn about 4 hours away. One of those trips is during the winter and temps are always in the upper teens. Truck pulled a trailer once since I've owned it before I sold the trailer for a second home.

Thinking the B5 might be the source of my little mess in the filters?

One thing to note is the stock fuel canister and filter looked new when held up to the new one (baldwin 2 micron. Can't recall the P/N).

Thanks for the help!

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Just realized I didn't have my signature filled out. Just filled it out.

 

[Wayne M.]

One factor you didn't hit. How often do you change fuel filters?
You run B100, sometimes self brew?
Hmmmmmm.

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

The aftermarket filters were changed just shy of two years ago (17k miles). The factory filters have been changed twice during that time.

I've run b100 three times in as many years as owning it. Run b5 several times a year on my longer trips.. Are you thinking the bio could be the leading cause of these issues?

 

[Wayne M.]

It's real possible that the B100 could be causing an issue- I'm not an expert on that. What I know is fleet maintenance, and I do think you've pushed those filters way too far out. I strongly believe, even if the vehicle is low use, all filters (except for trans) should be changed at least annually. It's cheap insurance, and the law in many fleet operations.
My rig has the original cannister, and a 2u spin on similar to GDP. I change the original every second oil change, and the 2u annually, unless I suspect a problem. I never prefill, I always bump the key.
I would also run a biocide to be safe.

 

[deathbysnoosnoo]

Thanks for the info. I originally had no intention of running the aftermarket filters that long but one thing led to another and well here we are just shy of 2 years later. I'll just be sure to do it once a year. The Bio Kleen arrived today so I'll do a treatment of that tomorrow.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's kind of interesting to put your hand on the fuel tank after hours on the highway. Surprising how warm it is.