Cleaning fuel filter housing??

[JGheen]

How do you guys do it? Obviously just the top comes off when servicing for a new filter but do you guys just stick a paper towel down in there and wipe it out as best you can? Maybe stick the shop vac hose down in there? I can't even see inside the housing without getting a good step stool, so fill me in on your techniques... .



Thanks, Joe

 

[JP900RR]

I use a vacula brake vac and suck up all the nasty stuff at the bottom of canister.

 

[RMalone]

I would think a vac would be only way. A rag or paper towel could leave loose crud behind in the center where clean fuel ends up.

This would be a good poll question. I wonder how many people do ANYTHING, I haven't, Now you have me wondering. I knew there was a reason I like spin on filters.

 

[04 Diesel Power]

I dont do any cleaning out, just change the filter.

 

[MickeyMiller]

One of the great things about this site... always something else to worry about!

 

[rbattelle]

I did a bit of cleaning in there with some shop towels, but I was very wary when doing so.

Now I have a spin-on filter after the stock filter, so I go to town cleaning out the stock one.

You've got to be careful in there. I seem to remember some people saying it's better to leave it alone than risk introducing contamination on the clean side.

What is that crud that forms down there, anyway? I can't imagine it comes from the tank... there's a mesh "sock" over the pickup tube.

Is it tiny particles that cling together and turn into big chunks while sitting in the canister?

Ryan

 

[sag2]

You should always clean the housing. When you lift the filter, debris will move from the dirty side to the clean side and then can be moved through the fuel system after the new filter is installed.

 

[Kry226]

Yeah, but the question remains: What's the best way to do it?

 

[donnier]

Correct me if Im wrong, but when you open the lever on the housing to drain the housing, wouldnt that allow some of the gunk out when the fuel is drained??

Iv never done it my self that why the question?

 

[Kry226]

I am sure some of it comes out. But if you look down in the canister after you pull the filter out, you can see some specks at the bottom. Looks like tiny little rust flakes to me.

 

[JGheen]

Well, it appears the best way to get at the cleaning is with a wet/dry shop vac. I am like some of the others that replied though... done 2 filter changes in 23K miles and basically just changed out the filter with no cleaning. When I drained the housing into a can nothing much more than clean fuel came out. No visible debris from the dirty side. I guess next time I will get a step stool and get in there with a vacuum and report back my results.

Is there an easy way to remove the whole housing and do a thorough cleaning job? Those 12v filter housings sure were nice in the cleaning ability dept. :-laf



Joe

 

[RMalone]

Better have a dedicated shop vac for the shop, that sucker is gonna stink forever. I wonder how many guys that read this thread will use the wifeys fancy Dyson vac to swab out their filter housings??

 

[BillDriscoll]

I clean ithe filter housing out with a rag. Normally theres not much in there to worry about. I started changing my filter at every oil change anyway since there cheap (12. 00 or so) compared to a fuel injection pump. I also drain the fuel out into a glass jar. It's normally very clean so I dump it back in the fuel tank for another go round.

BTW. I sleep very good at night!!:-laf



BillD

Pensacola FL

 

[DPKetchum]

My neighbor has about 150k on his 05 dually. Says his filter housing is pretty full of that hard,black asphalt crud. Said he's tried to get it out but its like a rock/asphalt. So far its caused no issues but it needs cleaning badly.

 

[JBonpua]

Thats why I installed a 2 micron filter after the stock housing. I figured if something gets through the Baldwin 5 micron filter inside the OEM filter housing the 2 micron would catch it. I just change filer and no cleaning... maybe I should start next filter change.

 

[tazzen]

Iwas thinking of getting one of those turkey sucker thingys for that. It should work?



ed

 

[barbwire]

I have an air blower that has a fitting to hook up a hose that creates what I think is called a "ventury" (not sure what it is called or how to spell it) , but it works good for me. But when you use it you have to have good ventillation.

 

[JGheen]

Thats why I installed a 2 micron filter after the stock housing. I figured if something gets through the Baldwin 5 micron filter inside the OEM filter housing the 2 micron would catch it.

I would do that but I like my 100K warranty. Wish there was just a better filter out there for the OEM housing.



Joe

 

[JGheen]

Iwas thinking of getting one of those turkey sucker thingys for that. It should work?



ed

That is a good idea that should work very well... . I think I will be trying that at the next change.



Joe

 

[JHardwick]

I dont do any cleaning out, just change the filter.

Ditto, I just drain it and change it ... ... ... ...