Fuel filer clean... 15K

[Randy Suess]

Hey diesel heads, So some of you recommended that I change my water sep. and fuel filter when I do my oil, and I did, but my fuel filter is almost as white as the new one I put in. Now, I live in California and we have lots of diesel fuel turn over at the pump. In the city, diesel doesn't sit in the ground very long and I don't put Arco gas in my truck. There was ZERO evidence of water when I drained my separator on the chassis and my fuel filter at the engine was still white. Even after 15,000 miles. What kind of advise would you give me next time I change my oil... should I change it anyway? Seems like a waste of a $100.

Also, I just realized (by the help of you guys) that I may have put non-synthetic oil in my 2017 Ram 3500 diesel (Valvoline 15-40 heavy duty diesel) What do you think of that? change it when my truck says change it... or sooner?


Thanks in advance,

 

[Ram4Sam]

Hey diesel heads, So some of you recommended that I change my water sep. and fuel filter when I do my oil, and I did, but my fuel filter is almost as white as the new one I put in. Now, I live in California and we have lots of diesel fuel turn over at the pump. In the city, diesel doesn't sit in the ground very long and I don't put Arco gas in my truck. There was ZERO evidence of water when I drained my separator on the chassis and my fuel filter at the engine was still white. Even after 15,000 miles. What kind of advise would you give me next time I change my oil... should I change it anyway? Seems like a waste of a $100.

Also, I just realized (by the help of you guys) that I may have put non-synthetic oil in my 2017 Ram 3500 diesel (Valvoline 15-40 heavy duty diesel) What do you think of that? change it when my truck says change it... or sooner?


Thanks in advance,

Dino oil is fine with our weather temps, look in the manual.....I'm in the same boat, I just changed the fuel filters for the first time on my truck, almost two years, 13,000 miles and the filter is still white. Evidently, we have decent fuel and the spin on filter/separator works really well. The recommended change intervals seem a bit anal to me but that is what FCA wants to see to maintain the warranty......
Sam

 

[Randy Suess]

WOW! 2 years 13,000? I bought my truck in March and I'm over 15k in L.A. traffic.
So the Dino oil will last just as long? My truck said I had 7% till oil change then I put the Valvoline in it. From my understanding there's no sensor testing the oil, it goes by milage.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Change it when the gauge says to.

 

[Newsa]

WOW! 2 years 13,000? I bought my truck in March and I'm over 15k in L.A. traffic.
So the Dino oil will last just as long? My truck said I had 7% till oil change then I put the Valvoline in it. From my understanding there's no sensor testing the oil, it goes by milage.

If you're running a quality Dino oil like Valvoline, Shell Rotella, Delo, Kendall/Phillips 76, (and many other main brands), and even some off brands that are actually produced/refined by Warren Oil like Car Quest, you will likely be fine with 15,000 mile changes. It is recommended to do an oil analysis at 8,000-10,000 miles if you are unsure about how your oil is protecting.

I would recomnend changing at 8,000-10,000 for the first 2 years just to remove the break-in metals that will likely show up (are expected) in your oil analysis. Your engine likely sheds a bit of finishing metals and as things break in normally, & you can expect the metal surfaces to lose metal as surfaces mate.

The above listed dino oils (as well as others I'm forgetting) generally have enough additives to run 15,000 miles. An oil analysis at 8k-10k will give you a better snap shot, tho

Consider changing early for the first few changes.

 

[Bob4x4]

The front filter looks clean because the rear filter removes the asphaltines and larger particles that normally discolor the filter media in earlier single filter systems.Replace them both ,keep your system safe

 

[Randy Suess]

No doubt I'll replace them both thanks Bob - for some reason I didn't think of the H2O separator as the preliminary filter before it gets to the engines filter... No wonder it was so clean, all the black stuff was in the separator that I couldn't see in.

And Newsa, good advise to change early the first few times... Do you know where to get the oil checked and how much do you pay?

 

[Ram4Sam]

WOW! 2 years 13,000? I bought my truck in March and I'm over 15k in L.A. traffic.
So the Dino oil will last just as long? My truck said I had 7% till oil change then I put the Valvoline in it. From my understanding there's no sensor testing the oil, it goes by milage.

No way I'd do that......this was my third in 13,000 miles...... Only the fuel filters went that long

Sam

 

[gsbrockman]

Hey diesel heads, So some of you recommended that I change my water sep. and fuel filter when I do my oil, and I did, but my fuel filter is almost as white as the new one I put in. Now, I live in California and we have lots of diesel fuel turn over at the pump. In the city, diesel doesn't sit in the ground very long and I don't put Arco gas in my truck. There was ZERO evidence of water when I drained my separator on the chassis and my fuel filter at the engine was still white. Even after 15,000 miles. What kind of advise would you give me next time I change my oil... should I change it anyway? Seems like a waste of a $100.

FCA went to greattttt lengths to improve their fuel system filtration. Don't cheap out on sub-standard filters or by ignoring the maintenance schedule.

This is why your underhood canister filter looks so good....

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https://www.turbodieselregister.com...tomy-of-a-MOPAR-Fuel-Separator-p-n-68197867AA

I am at 283,979 miles and have serviced my fuel system by the book inside of warranty and outside of warranty. I will also add that I have had ZERO fuel system related failures to date.

 

[Randy Suess]

WHOO HOO! I'm a believer! (nice pic) I don't so much mind spending money on preventative maintenance as I do on repairs. So let me ask... How reliable is the "% life remaining" gauge in my truck? Should I be changing the oil before. Is this 2017 3500 that advanced or is it just bells and whistles? I'd rather spend the money than waste it and for sure $180 on an oil change & filters is nothing to save the $52,000 I have into it.

 

[Newsa]

There are some sub par filters out there. Beware auto defender and other Chinese/India made fuel filters. They are cheap and easy to find, but don't have reliable test data nor quality control.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/256482-Fuel-filter-cost/page7?p=2504454#post2504454

 

[spoon059]

So let me ask... How reliable is the "% life remaining" gauge in my truck? Should I be changing the oil before. Is this 2017 3500 that advanced or is it just bells and whistles?

I'm fairly certain that the % life remaining is simply a countdown to 15,000 miles, which is the recommended filter change interval. For $100 or less, it is CHEAP insurance to keep your fuel system clean. Our fuel injectors are an older and more durable design than Ford and GM, butyou still don't want dirty fuel messing up your engine.

 

[Randy Suess]

Some guys say they change theirs every other oil change. I will heed your warning and change my oil and all filters when the trucks count down is near.
anybody know where and how to go about getting a sample of my oil tested? If the oil is shot before launch, the longterm performance will be jeopardized. I see it as a blood test for my truck but don't know enough about it - does anybody do this?

 

[Regcabguy]

WOW! 2 years 13,000? I bought my truck in March and I'm over 15k in L.A. traffic.
So the Dino oil will last just as long? My truck said I had 7% till oil change then I put the Valvoline in it. From my understanding there's no sensor testing the oil, it goes by milage.

I'd like to see how many idling hours your engine has had in the traffic there?

 

[Ram4Sam]

Some guys say they change theirs every other oil change. I will heed your warning and change my oil and all filters when the trucks count down is near.
anybody know where and how to go about getting a sample of my oil tested? If the oil is shot before launch, the longterm performance will be jeopardized. I see it as a blood test for my truck but don't know enough about it - does anybody do this?

I have used Blackstone Labs over the years.......

Sam

 

[Randy Suess]

31 idle hrs. and 289 drive

 

[gsbrockman]

Some guys say they change theirs every other oil change. I will heed your warning and change my oil and all filters when the trucks count down is near.
anybody know where and how to go about getting a sample of my oil tested? If the oil is shot before launch, the longterm performance will be jeopardized. I see it as a blood test for my truck but don't know enough about it - does anybody do this?

FCA does not require oil sampling to validate any engine warranty. They may, however, require dated receipts / invoices to verify work performed at the prescribed intervals whether if done by the owner or an independent shop.
As Sam mentioned, Blackstone Labs is a favorite amongst most.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/255307-Blackstone-tour-and-sample?highlight=blackstone

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[Randy Suess]

Ya, I just checked them out and ordered a kit... I'll test my oil at about 10,000 miles from change date. Curious to see.

So whatcha' gunna' do about your results?

 

[gsbrockman]

Ya, I just checked them out and ordered a kit... I'll test my oil at about 10,000 miles from change date. Curious to see.

So whatcha' gunna' do about your results?

Nothing.....

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[Randy Suess]

Guess you could always start making pennies:-laf