Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cut Open my FS1253 Fuel Filter......

[HEMI®Dart]

And found this black slime. Do I have a bacteria problem? Should I check the Pre-filter?

 

[fest3er]

And found this black slime. Do I have a bacteria problem? Should I check the Pre-filter?

I believe those are asphaltenes; they occur naturally in diesel fuel. And they are the primary reason you don't want to leave the fuel filter unchanged for too long. I got busy or distracted for quite a while once and ended up with about 50K on my filter. There was 1/16" of asphaltenes on the filter; it wasn't passing fuel very well.

 

[KLauber]

Correct

I believe those are asphaltenes; they occur naturally in diesel fuel. And they are the primary reason you don't want to leave the fuel filter unchanged for too long. I got busy or distracted for quite a while once and ended up with about 50K on my filter. There was 1/16" of asphaltenes on the filter; it wasn't passing fuel very well.

I read somewhere that the asphaltenes collecting on the filter are a result of the refining processes used to make USLD. Somehow they 'uncrack' out of the fuel? Think I read that on a website for a fuel additive, which one I can't remember. Just change that filter!

 

[KLauber]

Fuel School

Here's a good description of the problem:



Fuel School: Asphaltene's and Plugged Fuel Filters



Answer is additives and Amsoil has an excellent additive to solve this.



Ken

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Here's a good description of the problem:



Fuel School: Asphaltene's and Plugged Fuel Filters



Answer is additives and Amsoil has an excellent additive to solve this.



Ken

Excellent write-up you found. Thanks.

 

[GAmes]

I submit that even if you use aditives that the filter will turn black. The answer is change the filter on a regular basis. I change mine every 15 to 20k, but if I had a 3rd gen it would be more often.

 

[GrantP]

How many miles were on that filter?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

How many miles were on that filter?

12K-15K



I'm going to be changing it a lot sooner!

 

[AH64ID]

When I bought my truck it had 10K on it, and the stock filter and 3 years of use. The filter was nasty like that one. Since then I have put 30K on the filter (I have 3 and a psi gauge) and never had a spec of the asphaltenes and have used Amsoil Diesel Concentrate on every tank, it must work!

My truck is no longer my DD, so the fuel is sitting a lot longer so I plan to check the filter every 5K to see if its asphaltening up.

 

[GrantP]

12K-15K



I'm going to be changing it a lot sooner!

Thanks to all on this thread, I've been on a once a year schedule (about 17k) and it's due again. I had no idea ULSD made this problem worse, I'll be changing it this weekend.

 

[KLauber]

Excellent write-up you found. Thanks.

That google is useful aint it!



Ken

 

[KLauber]

I submit that even if you use aditives that the filter will turn black. The answer is change the filter on a regular basis. I change mine every 15 to 20k, but if I had a 3rd gen it would be more often.

Yes, additives and frequent filter changes. Maybe 12K or 10K.....



Ken

 

[CCiatteo]

I change my filter twice a year as cheap insurance, the NAPA guy thinks I'm nuts, but agrees its better than getting stuck somewhere on the side of the road. Usually in October before going into the winter months and then in March, after the winter months. Works out to about every 8 to 10k miles.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I may try some of this........

Asphaltene Conditioner

 

[Tinman]

Another good reason for gauges.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Filter looks NICE

I used the product from Geno's. I bought 2 Q. I think the filter may have 5,000 miles perhaps less. Excuse my hack job. I tried a filter from below, and the pleats are glued in BIGTIME.



Fluid Filters Fuel Filters Dodge Trucks- 94-96 L6-5. 9L (td) 44-FF005 - aFe Power











FLEETGUARD CC2597 ASPHALTENE CONDITIONER-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

 

[SSage]

Yeah normal, I change mine every 10K since they turn so black with that stuff.



Man this is an old thread, things are pretty slow around these parts, I guess the ole 12 valves are getting scarce. .



Same with the 3rd Gen till the better aux pump and dual filters were installed. Now the OEM filter stays clean. But, I just change the 12 valve more often... Every other oil change...

 

[BIGNASTY]

:-laf

When I bought my truck it had 10K on it, and the stock filter and 3 years of use. The filter was nasty like that one. Since then I have put 30K on the filter (I have 3 and a psi gauge) and never had a spec of the asphaltenes and have used Amsoil Diesel Concentrate on every tank, it must work!



My truck is no longer my DD, so the fuel is sitting a lot longer so I plan to check the filter every 5K to see if its asphaltening up.

Yes sounds like another satisfied fuel snake oil user :-laf

 

[AH64ID]

:-laf



Yes sounds like another satisfied fuel snake oil user :-laf

Quite satisfied. . fuel lubricity is huge! And my filters stay asphaltene clean with it, without they don't.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Quite satisfied. . fuel lubricity is huge! And my filters stay asphaltene clean with it, without they don't.

Im going to change my filters in the next day or two ill have to cut them open and see if my snake oil is the same. I really like the Amalgamated both winter and summer