Fuel Cotamination

[RMaynard]

I own a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 5. 9 Diesel.

I had my fuel filter changed at a local dealer because I had lost 2-3 mpg and thought it might be that. The dealer said I had some fuel contamination while the filter was being changed. My water in fuel indicator came on 1 day later. I

drained out the fuel bowl to correct that issue. I still have the loss of the fuel economy. Another mechanic has said that the fuel contamination issue could have caused an issue like lower fuel pressure, and maybe an injector issue. I do trust this person... He said he would do a fuel pressure check and also an injector balance test. Are there any other possibilities here and anything else we should check out ???? Air filter is a banks, and it is clean. It has a banks stinger system also. Has anyone out there run into this situation ?? Thanx, Roger

 

[Bob4x4]

Fuel contamination has always been a serious issue in diesels,it is more critical on the newer trucks due to the higher pressures. If there was a sinificant amount of contamination drop the tank and have it cleaned. Warranty will not cover any contamination damage.

 

[steved]

Make sure your tank has the breather vents addressed as this is a known place for water to enter... 2005 was the year they started adding two short hoses, but I think it started mid-year?

 

[jelag]

When we put our 04 into service we installed a 10 micron primary filter and a 2 micron secondary filter... the primary filter has a water drain... we change these filters just once a year... most of my trucks see 40-80K per year... we've not had any problems with this set up... . and we don't bother to change the stock filter...

We now are running this on the 04, 04. 5, 05, and 08 plus 2 Fords... Its worked very well... I'd suggest that MPG decrease is something other than a plugged filter... I've seen some problems but nothing were a second filter was plugged up in a matter of days... Let me re-phrase that... . in the past 15 years I've not seen that kind of a major fuel problem... . other than my grand son who tired to play filling station with a garden hose...

 

[flyby night]

I think there are definately some fuel quality issues out there these days. My mileage varies greatly depending on the fuel I get. The Biodiesel mandate is in effect here in Washington state, but there is not enough supply of the bio to fulfill the 5% mandate. So the bio blend varies greatly. They may think it is B5, but it could be straight #2, B5, or B20. There is no great consistency due to supply. I think this is why my fuel mpg fluctuates as it does.

Do you use any kind of fuel additive on a regular basis?

 

[CROW]

Fuel Tank Vents

Truck is an 05 with only 42k that doesn't go off road and I have never found anything in the fuel filter. However, I would like to install filters as some have done on the two fuel tank vents on top of the tank. The front vent has about a 6" hose attached, but there is no hose on the rear vent. The rear vent is located in a depression and the horizontal part of the vent is apparently supposed to be aligned with a groove or slot in the tank. However, it is not and I cannot get a hose on it as there is just no space between the bottom of the vent pipe and the top of the tank. Short of dropping the tank, is there anyway to move the vent so it is aligned with the groove so I can attach a hose. I tried to put a wrench on it to turn but no luck, it appears to be plastic and I did not want to get too carried away. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[RMaynard]

Fuel Contamination

To all who responded thank You for your comments. The issue where the water in fuel light came on a day after the fuel filter was changed, I believe "could" have come from the dealer not draining the fuel bowl after changing the fuel filter. Am I right here ?? The dealer did say a small amount of contamination was found "how small I don't know". A finer filter if I got it straight, 10 micron, would be installed along the frame ??? Where can I get one, what brand is best, how hard to install this filter ??? As far as the breather vents, is it just making sure that they are not set in a way to allow water to enter them. Have them facing the rear of the truck ???? out of the forward motion of the vehicle. Or am I not reading you correctly here. Once again, Thanks. As I say here, I'm not a diesel Mechanic, all this is new to an older gasoline powered vehicle guy.

 

[Bob4x4]

Truck is an 05 with only 42k that doesn't go off road and I have never found anything in the fuel filter. However, I would like to install filters as some have done on the two fuel tank vents on top of the tank. The front vent has about a 6" hose attached, but there is no hose on the rear vent. The rear vent is located in a depression and the horizontal part of the vent is apparently supposed to be aligned with a groove or slot in the tank. However, it is not and I cannot get a hose on it as there is just no space between the bottom of the vent pipe and the top of the tank. Short of dropping the tank, is there anyway to move the vent so it is aligned with the groove so I can attach a hose. I tried to put a wrench on it to turn but no luck, it appears to be plastic and I did not want to get too carried away. Thanks in advance for any responses.

If you are carefull since the nipple is plastic you can flex it up slightly to get a 3/16" line to push on it.

 

[Bob4x4]

To all who responded thank You for your comments. The issue where the water in fuel light came on a day after the fuel filter was changed, I believe "could" have come from the dealer not draining the fuel bowl after changing the fuel filter. Am I right here ?? The dealer did say a small amount of contamination was found "how small I don't know". A finer filter if I got it straight, 10 micron, would be installed along the frame ??? Where can I get one, what brand is best, how hard to install this filter ??? As far as the breather vents, is it just making sure that they are not set in a way to allow water to enter them. Have them facing the rear of the truck ???? out of the forward motion of the vehicle. Or am I not reading you correctly here. Once again, Thanks. As I say here, I'm not a diesel Mechanic, all this is new to an older gasoline powered vehicle guy.

Changing a filter will not make the light come on..... getting water in the connector can.

 

[GaryOwen]

Here's one place that sells remote filter kits. Have bought several items from them in the past with good results. I pieced together my own filter kit with NAPA parts and saved a few dollars, but ended up making several trips to parts store and a good bit of time researching for correct parts. Glacier is known for having very complete kits with good instructions. I'm sure there are others that offer filter kits also.



Glacier Diesel Power - Product List

 

[rbattelle]

Here's the definitive thread on the fuel tank vent issue. I've still got my VW fuel filters on there - haven't checked them in awhile.

I agree with others that there's not really any reason a fuel filter would reduce mileage. Even a 100% plugged filter won't reduce mileage (except that the truck won't run).

I'm very wary of this rather nebulous "we found a small amount of contamination". Every time I change my filter I find a bit of crud in the bottom of the canister (which I carefully clean), but this is on the dirty side of the filter. I consider this normal - others have reported exactly the same thing (in fact, years ago we had a bit of a debate over whether it's better to clean that stuff out or leave it alone).

When I change filters I always carefully inspect the old filter - sometimes going so far as to cut them apart. In every case, the dirty side is dirty and the clean side is completely clean. Those of you who don't change your filters would be wise to ask whomever changes them to return the old filter to you. Otherwise, you have no idea whether 1) anything was abnormal, and 2) whether the filter was changed.

And it's very suspicious that they change the filter and suddenly you've got a WIF light. I'm not suggesting foul play, but something is a little odd.

Ryan

 

[RMaynard]

Fuel Contamination

Again, thanx to all for the response, To jelag, only one filter was changed, not two. And once the bowl was emptied, the WIF light went out,



To flybynight, When I remember to put in the additive, I've been using Lucas

brand.



The fuel filter on the 2005 is located up on the engine isn't it, ?? Would an add on filter be frame mounted ?? Thanx, Roger

 

[JJPage]

There are several different kits out, the one I have mounts on the frame just in front of the fuel tank. There is another kit that hangs the filters off the intake horn.



I second the advise to call Richard at Glacier Diesel Power 509-993-4923. He has several filter kits and he will get you squared away.

 

[RMaynard]

Fuel Contamination

Thanx JJ Page, I will look into it, Roger