Any truth to this?

[ChesterRam]

Well I went down to my local Cummins dealer yesterday to buy a Fleetguard Stratapore filter (about $9. xx). I was all set to switch over to a synthetic oil. I have 14,500 miles.



I was told not to, because IF the rings were not seated YET, and the engine not broken in, then the engine would smoke for 300,000. Is this true?



I have towed a 5000 lbs. for 1800 miles and the rest has been unloaded... . Well he scared me into going for another petroleum change.



He also mentioned the differences in the fuel filters... winter and summer. Said you can't run a summer filter in winter and vice versa because the seal compound deteriorates and you get leaks... . Is this true?



And lastly I asked him what I could do to get 4 to 5 more miles per gallon. He said get a 4 inch exhaust. Is this true?



Thanks.

 

[DocStressor]

He sounds like a WORLDS FORMOST AUTHORITY. Ignore him. No offense to the good folks who work in the industry, but I have to say the biggest source of automotive BS are counter guys.

 

[chuck3]

WHAT

As for as I know there is only one fleetguard fuel filter for our trucks, I could be wrong, as for as changing to synthetic oil it might be better to go one more change or so before switching. Im sure someone can tell you more on this. my 2cts

 

[1 ALC]

I think the LF3894 is the only filter, and its a year round thing.



I'm gonna go Amsoil after 50,000 miles - unless I change my mind.



I saw a slick bypass filter mount beside a battery posted here somewhere. I think it was on a 12 valve. Do a search on "Amsoil".

 

[Don M]

The guy is wrong... it wont smoke for 300,000 miles.

Synthetic is ready to go in on your next change.



No such thing as winter and summer filters on a B5. 9!



I did see a fuel economy increase after my 4inch exhaust install. But not 4-5 MPG.



Don~



find another counter guy

 

[Mill Rat]

Just my observation..

The 4" exhaust didn't show me much MPG improvement, certainly not 4-5 MPG. It sounds a lot better, though.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

NONE of the above is true - find a different dealer or at least a different guy to deal with at that one. At 14,500 you should be ready to go with synthetic oil. There is only ONE fuel filter available for our trucks from each manufacturer. Lastly - NOTHING you can do will get you 4-5 mpg more fuel mileage!!!!!!

 

[Mundgyver]

I poped 15W/40 Amsoil into my truck at 1500 miles. Runs fine and funny thing is, it does not smoke, cept when I really get into it and allow the EZ to do its thing. I average 21 around town and 24 on the road if I keep my foot out of it and just let the cruise do the work between 65 and 70. PS: I got 40,000 on it now and its is one year and one month old.

 

[ChesterRam]

Now wait... . I realize he was probably WAY optimistic concerning the exhaust...

But IF

the following IS true

then won't it add up?



4" exhaust = . 5 to 1. 0 mpg

synthetic oil throughout = 2. 0 to 3. 0 mpg

EZ = 1. 0 mpg

DD2or3 injectors: 1 to 2 mpg (if you keep your foot out)

Amsoil or K&N air filter: 1 mpg...



Seems like all these things add a little more performance.

And won't it add up? Or is it only possible to get a 1 to 2 mpg increase total no matter what you do?



If they add up,,,,well, I want them all.



Thanks for all the replies.

 

[DUNE RACER]

Yes there are 2 fuel filter choices and yes using synthetic oil to soon in a new engine can sometimes cause piston rings not to seat for a long time.



Standard fuel filter for 2000-2001 FS 19579 costs about $15. 00, this one is good for all weather.



Alternate fuel filter for 2000-2001 and warmer temps down to something like 15 degrees is #FS1261 costs about $9. 00



I was given this filter at Cummins NW when I went to get some standard filters, he said if my truck was not driven in extreme cold that I could use the FS1261 and save some money. The difference is in the seals.



-Zach

 

[CCahill]

I just don't get this fuel mileage thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Between the MOPARGUY Filter and 4 in. exhaust, I,m gonna get 3-5 mpg more... . Sorry, forgot to add the IAT cleaning/replacement... I think that was good for ... . what?... . 1 or 2 mpgs??????



I,ve got DTT's trans, BD 2's, disabled waistegate, and the LiL"EZ... ..... 20K on the truck... . From day 1 I've got 15-16 in town..... never seen 20 on the hiway...



How in Hadies, do thes trucks get 19-23 MPG's.....



Hard to belive... . Love driving this truck, 7440# and always rarin' to go. .



Sorry this was off subject.

Colin

 

[Bigsaint]

I was going to post some sort of smart a$$ remark until I read Dune's reply, I never heard of two different fuel filters, learn something everyday here on the TDR.



Can't resist, is it true that the summer filters sport a thong type of seal compared to the winter filters more long johnesh approach ?



Scott W.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Anyone that sais that they get 21 in the city needs to either get a calculator or stop subtracting one gallon for every minut spent at a stop light. As for 24 on the highway it is possable if you just sit with the cruise set at 60 to 65 and don't stop much or let the truck get cold at all.

 

[Ray J]

Chesterram, you can learn an awful lot in here, and I'm still learning an awful lot... ... . but one thing I think I can say with confidence is: Ignore that counter guy!

 

[K_Arts]

ChesterRam - I may not be a Diesel Tech... but I sure can tell you that this guy is full of Sh*t.



I switched over to Amsoil 5w30HDD at 7500 miles, and my truck only smokes when I romp on the "GO" pedal under 3lbs of boost. So Don't believe him.



As far as increasing your fuel mileage with a 4" exhaust. I don't by it, but I guess it all depends on your driving habits, altitude. . etc. I installed a 4" exhaust not to long ago... and I sure didn't gain any mileage.



Hmmmm almost sounds like this guy has been inhaling too many diesel fumes. LOL



Just my $. 02



kev

 

[boonsur]

Although I am definately NOT and expert, I have a diferent viewpoint to throw at ya. I work with an AmsOil distributer (who would gain by selling to me) and he recommended waiting until 15K miles before switching, unless you are working the truck pretty hard in the begining.



I believe there is some truth in waiting until the engine is seated, and I don't think regular oil is necessarily bad for the engine, as long as you keep it changed often.

 

[Todd T]

4" exhaust is the last thing you should spend your money on.

 

[ChesterRam]

OK so the "counter guy" was wrong.

But what about all these upgrades being additive?



They do all add up, don't they?

(assuming you just drive 60 - 70 mph real easy like... )

 

[MikeR]

Sorry Chester,but performance parts don't add up. They don't stack on mileage claims,and don't stack on HP claims either. You will never get 4 to 5mpg better on a 24v. You might gain 1 to 1. 5mpg,but that's all (and it won't be with stage 2 or 3 injectors).



As Dune has said,there is a summer and winter fuel filter listed for the 00-01. I found this out last year while I was looking through Cummins NW's Fleetguard book. I have used both filters in the summer and winter and there is absolutely NO difference in their performance. One is just cheaper than the other.



-Mike

 

[K_Arts]

I honestly believe that it is all dependent on the vehicle and the driver.



When I left Bill K's shop in BC, I had a VB, TC, and a set of DD2's installed, and I got a whopping 1mpg better. So on my application. . no these items didn't add much mileage.



Just an FYI, I wouldn't expect much improvement on fuel mileage until your engine starts breaking in more. My engine is showing on the average of . 5mpg better, once I got over 20k.



Hope this helps



Kev