Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Draining / changing Fuel Filter

[osmith]

Kind of a newbie question here, but here goes.



The plunger on the bottom of the fuel filter is for draining water right?



So when you drain it do you keep holding it until it stop flowing? I held mine for about 2minutes and it was still going. I thought I might be draining the filter or something !!! Does it hold that much ??



Also I havent changed my fuel filter for about 30k kms or about 19000 miles. Is this a bad thing ??



thanks ...

 

[SRehberg]

changing fuel filter

I have a '96 as well, and the valve on the bottom is for draining as you described. You could probably be there all day waiting for that thing to stop dripping, as the initial drain will release the standing fuel/water. Once the major amount is out, then the fun begins trying to get the filter off. Don't overlook the square rubber washer up in the filter mount, it's easy to overlook. It comes with the new filter. I usually fill my filter paritally, as it reduces the number of times I have to push on the lift pump plunger to get the air out. Open the port on top of the filter housing until fuel starts to come out, crank it down and you should be good to go. It may run rough for a minute or even hard to start, but it'll go.



Filter changes are important as scheduled. I let mine go more than I should have and the power was down. Ok at unloaded times, but hooking the 5th wheel to it, there wasn't enough fuel to do the job. My opinion.

 

[Skydiver]

Try this.

Next time you replace your fuel filter remove the 2 nuts that hold the master cylinder onto the brake booster. Then you can move your master cylinder out of the way a little. This makes getting to the fuel filter much easier.

I change my fuel filter every 10,000 miles and have never had one clog up. Its a good idea to keep a spare filter in the truck in case you pick up a bad load of fuel.

Tim