Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) A new filter system for a bad load of fuel

[RHulette]

After getting a bad half tank of fuel sometime in the last year, I decided that it was time to upgrade the filter system with a beefier version. I had a plugged filter with about a teaspoon of crap in the bottom of the canister. My dashboard pressure gauge read a steady 14psi, but only a trickle of fuel was reaching the VP44.

I upgraded the stock Carter pump 10 years ago with a Glacier Diesel Walbro GS92 and a Fleetguard strainer. The filter is stock.

The original Fleetguard strainer was bugging me, as you can't see what's inside and they're a pain to change out. I replaced it with a Racor PS120 pre-filter/strainer with a 200-260 micron filter screen. Much better than the little Fleetguard can. Just unscrew the bowl and wash the screen.

The Walbro pump has been giving me perfect service for 140k, but it was making strange noises, so I replaced it with an identical version. I liked the Glacier Diesel twin-head system with the 10mic/WS and 2mic Fleetguard filters. Much better peace of mind.
I left the stock filter in, but it'll never need to be changed out.

I added 3/8 ball valves both before and after for isolation. I can lock out the whole system for changing filters.

 

[SAndreasen]

what does something like this cost

 

[RHulette]

The Glacier Diesel twin-head filter is $200. It comes with the filters and push lock connectors.
The Racor PS120-02 is $60. It comes with two seal plugs and you provide the 3/8 hose barb fitting.

Randy

 

[Tuesdak]

As Biodiesel continues to be 'dumped' into our #2 diesel I would recommend against using brass in the fuel system like you have with the yellow hose connectors and valves. It turns green (corrodes) with any biodiesel exposure and can be a source of debris. Unless you write your lawmakers about not dumping Biodiesel into #2 diesel and not even labeling less than 5%... It's going to be (or already is) a fact of life and fuel systems including retrofits and the like will have to handle it.

 

[RHulette]

I've never seen biodiesel for sale here in Northern Virginia. Does the standard #2 I get at the pump have a percentage of biodiesel blended in?

thanks for the information!
Randy

 

[Tuesdak]

Depends on the state if it's added or not. As I imagine you travel now and then... It's hard to even Google and get this information per state. Locally we can come across a pump that has up to 10% and is labeled 'up to 10% bio' and passed off as #2 diesel. We can get B100 at some special pumps, but, for blending tax credits it's usually only up to B99.

I have run B99 and have an article warning about when things really go bad with Biodiesel and bugs.

 

[Freebore]

Here's one map of biodiesel locations across the US.

http://biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/finding-biodiesel/retail-locations/retail-map

When I added my modded severe duty filter kit, I avoided all brass and replaced all standard buna o-rings on fittings with Viton to resist biodiesel. Same story for fuel hose - went with Parker Superflex and all Parker steel fittings. Parker makes a Ferulok tube to JIC (37 degree) adapter that worked very well for connecting push-lok fittings to the main supply line. I live in IL and traveled west this last summer and the map is pretty much spot on - biodiesel free fuel started showing up in western Dakotas and didn't see any of it in MT. Got a bad batch of watered down diesel at a major truck stop in MN about 2 years ago and know it was not good for my injectors, finally had to replace them all this summer. The bio here is 5-20%, but I wouldn't be surprised if it can be controlled that well.

Our family had a mistaken fuel delivery where they pumped pure biodiesel in one of the storage tanks. The tractors had problems for over a year due to the solvent action of biodiesel. After replacing lines, fittings, adding more filtration & eliminating biodiesel, the tractors work okay. Not sure how far this is going to spread, but I can't avoid it so triple filtration on my truck was the only way to go.