Fuel Filter Change

[Cliffman]

Hello fellow TDR Members. I need to change my fuel filters and was wondering what the difficulty level is. I hear there may be more than 1 Filter. Looking for vids or instructions and feed back on the PITA factor.

 

[Newsa]

Hello fellow TDR Members. I need to change my fuel filters and was wondering what the difficulty level is. I hear there may be more than 1 Filter. Looking for vids or instructions and feed back on the PITA factor.

If you have a 2013-2018, there are 2 filters. One under the hood as there has always been (i am under the impression that this filter has changed in dimensions and micron filtering ability over the various gens) and one under the bed a couple of feet forward of the axle. Not sure how far in front of the axle it will be on a long bed. The hood mounted filter is a cartridge. The bed mounted filter is a threaded screw on. Both filters should be drained before removing. Both filters come with gaskets. Use Mopar, racor, or fleetguard brands. The front one i believe is called nanonet if it is fleetguard brand. If mopar brand, check your vin for proper fitment.
The rear filter has a WIF sensor that needs unplugged before you start turning it. The filter cap under the hood is somewhat low and on the drivers side above the axle. Look for a yellow drain knob. I think drain knobs on both filters only need 1/4 CCW turn. I'm sure someone on here has pictures.
The drain spout on the front filter likely came with a clear vinyl tube on it that you can see from below (hanging down) if it hasn't already fallen off.

 

[lilbxl]

Toughest part for me on the rear frame mounted filter is unplugging the sensor, as I can only get one hand up in there to unplug it. Need to drain the filter housings. I just added a piece of hose to the front filter and let it drain into a plastic gallon jug. The rear I just drain directly into the jug. I did get the wrench to remove the sensor from the filter for the rear mounted filter. Engine mounted filter for me is not that bad. Just do not over tighten the cap when you put it back on. Look it up on youtube, you will find a few videos of changing both filters and it is not a hard job.

 

[Newsa]

Here is a good discussion on the front filter.
Usually these things are put on by a gorilla at the factory. I found a swivel ratchet helps make removal easiest because the plastic on that front filter seems to grab alot when trying to turn. It's as if the plastic swells and doesn't want it to turn.

See this thread
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/fuel-filter-cover-removal.255456/

 

[Learjet]

plenty of video on youtube

 

[TFucili]

This is member TooTall on here:

 

[Cliffman]

Anyone use the aftermarket filters??? There like 1/2 the price as the Mopar?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Go for it. You have a fuel related issue they WILL void warranty.

MOPAR, FleetGuard or Racor all good.

 

[TFucili]

Anyone use the aftermarket filters??? There like 1/2 the price as the Mopar?

Not worth the gamble. Stick with Mopar, Fleetguard, or Racor.

 

[gsbrockman]

Anyone use the aftermarket filters??? There like 1/2 the price as the Mopar?

Throw’em on there and you can be the test dummy.

 

[NIsaacs]

Sometimes I wish there was a dislike button....

 

[Newsa]

Sometimes I wish there was a dislike button....

If you "like" it, you can then later unlike it.

 

[Larry Spencer]

Replaced mine,(first time), last weekend. Purchased both Fleetguard filters from Amazon, about $90. Used a tall disposable cup to catch the drain off from the front filter, or you can use an attached plastic line to catch the drain off. Rear filter, (water separator) is pretty straight forward, I disconnected sensor from the line not the housing. Use name brand as recommended, don't skimp on filtration as there is plenty of dirty diesel out there.

 

[sag2]

I changed mine this afternoon. Bought the package filters from Gino's. The only problem was the rear filter didn't drain completely so when I spun it off it still leaks fuel. The rear filter was on there pretty good and I had to improvise a little bit to get it off.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I changed mine this afternoon. Bought the package filters from Gino's. The only problem was the rear filter didn't drain completely so when I spun it off it still leaks fuel. The rear filter was on there pretty good and I had to improvise a little bit to get it off.

Add a 1/4" hose to the drain port and then open the valve. Then loosen the filter and the rest will drain out. Close the drain and then spin off filter. I also loosen the drain before loosening the filter and snug it back up to make it easier to spin off with the filter removed.

 

[Newsa]

Add a 1/4" hose to the drain port and then open the valve. Then loosen the filter and the rest will drain out. Close the drain and then spin off filter. I also loosen the drain before loosening the filter and snug it back up to make it easier to spin off with the filter removed.

I leave the drain open when unspinning the filter with the tube atrached so that any vapor lock suction is released. But i still quite often get some spilling out if the filter because the filtered fuel doesn't go backwards through the filter.

I get Sag2's result quite often. Seems no way around it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Reread what I said. I get zero spillage.