Fuel Filter change intervals

[dougsram]

We had a break in the rain so I grabbed a piece of cardboard and crawled under the truck. Found the second filter. Then, I came inside and searched Amazon for the filters... $91.00 for both. That sounds like a lot!

By using keepa.com you will see that the filter set has sold for as low as $70 last year on Amazon. I bought just the engine mounted filter (FS53000 which is same filter as MO-291) for $30 recently. Also, if you are trying to minimize your oil change costs, view the monthly sale ads from O'Reilly, Pepboys, Advance Auto etc. If any one of them has a sale on Shell Rotella, Mobil Delvac, etc., go to the manufactures's website and see if they have an active rebate--Shell does for T5 & T6. I typically buy oil for under $7 a gallon. Just last weekend I purchased a gallon of Mobil Delvac for $2 at O'Reilly. $13.99 sale price minus $7 rebate with an addition $5 off for just buying anything during President's Day weekend with my O'rewards card.

 

[MRoberts]

Ordered both front and rear Mopar fuel filters from dieselfiltersonline.com for 85.99 plus shipping.

 

[Cummins12V98]

15k or one year. Whichever comes first

That's in the scheduled maintenance?

 

[gsbrockman]

That's in the scheduled maintenance?

It is.....states it right in the Diesel Supplement.

 

[TMyers]

It is.....states it right in the Diesel Supplement.

Does the 15k match the "Reset" in the dash display?

 

[gsbrockman]

Does the 15k match the "Reset" in the dash display?

It does on my truck---and should on about all trucks.

It is of my understanding that the fuel filter life monitor is totally mileage based.

 

[Newsa]

Does the 15k match the "Reset" in the dash display?

It doesn't on most 2013's. The minder on my dash only gives me 12,000-12,500 miles on fuel filter life . I've heard the same from others with 2013's on this forum.

 

[Bob4x4]

There has been a number of flashes relating to improvements to maint reminders accuracy,the fuel filter reminder should come on at 15k.

 

[Newsa]

There has been a number of flashes relating to improvements to maint reminders accuracy,the fuel filter reminder should come on at 15k.

Do you know if what I need is an ECM or BCM flash?

My most recent ECM flash was Oct 2017.

They charged me $40 for it even though it should have been covered under emissions warranty.

Heck, they are so incompetent, they might have charged me for something they Didn't do

 

[Cummins12V98]

It is.....states it right in the Diesel Supplement.

Thanks, did not remember that part.

 

[Too Tall]

As I'm approaching my third fuel filter change, I've got a question and it's really not a big deal. On my 02, I had a FASS system, full set up with filter and water separator. I can't remember what the change intervals were, but the fuel filter was 25K (?) and as for the water separator, it was open the drain until you had pure fuel and shut it.

Now on to my 2015, I can see changing the fuel filter every time, but does the water separator need to be changed out too? Would there be any harm in changing it every other interval?

If you are going to do that, I'd reverse that and change the back one every time and the front every other. The back one gets filthy. The front is like new at 15K. I cut some open if you want to see the video, towards the end if you want to skip the procedure; https://youtu.be/2U4ZcTehgOo

 

[Cummins12V98]

Too Tall I am sure it would be fine to do so BUT......NO WAY while under warranty would I not do the engine mount every 15K.

 

[Bob4x4]

Looking at the cost of a single injector should be all it takes to convince anyone to follow the mfg recommendations.Even the new trucks will an occasional injector failure.

 

[gsbrockman]

Too Tall I am sure it would be fine to do so BUT......NO WAY while under warranty would I not do the engine mount every 15K.

OMG....we agree on something for a change. :-laf

Since The Radio Flyer has long been outtttttta warranty.......I still abide by the fuel filter intervals and use only approved (99% of the time mopar) fuel filters.

 

[Cummins12V98]

OMG....we agree on something for a change. :-laf

Since The Radio Flyer has long been outtttttta warranty.......I still abide by the fuel filter intervals and use only approved (99% of the time mopar) fuel filters.

HEY now, I think we agree on MANY things.

Have you ever found a good $$$ source for the RayCore pre filter?

 

[gsbrockman]

HEY now, I think we agree on MANY things.

Have you ever found a good $$$ source for the RayCore pre filter?

In the past I purchased the pff54529s from www.dieselfiltersonline.com at a decent deal if buying 3 or more at a time. Since the OEM mopars have dropped in price so much, I use them now.

My last batch of three sets (68157291AA & 68197867AB) I purchased from Athens Dodge / Amazon and got them for $70/set plus a set shipping of $7 total ($217.00).

I infrequently see them as sets from Athens anymore.....but a fairly comparable deal is offered by Athens individually.

 

[Too Tall]

Too Tall I am sure it would be fine to do so BUT......NO WAY while under warranty would I not do the engine mount every 15K.

I change both every 15K or sooner and I'm out of warranty. Personally, I don't skimp on clean oil or clean fuel.

 

[JR]

My old '09 F250 said to drain the water separator once/mo. I cannot find in any of the owners manuals or supplements to periodically drain but it has always seemed a wise idea since owning the Ford diesel. Especially with fuels today. Where did you see that recommendation?

Can't say I've ever it in Rams literature but that doesn't mean it's irrelevant. Here is an example of what Cummins (not Ram) feels is necessary, this is a page out of our GRT 8100 service/inspection log. The Cummins engine service manual lists the exact same recommended intervals. Keep in mind this is a Tier IV final (scr equipped) 6.7 CTD with a fuel filtration system that is much more robust than anything that's ever been on a Ram pickup.

As to why Ram does not recommend periodically draining, I can only guess. Probably has a lot to do with location, the primary on all of our cranes is right next to the fuel tank and very easily accessible.
I'd also wager Ram figures the filters are good enough to get you beyond warranty and then it is out of their hands. ALL fuel filters on passenger vehicles are designed to pass water once saturated. By law they are not allowed to plug off when contaminated. This is a big reason why I have fuel delivered to the house and run a cheapo primary f/w seperator followed by an aquazorb filter.

 

[Learjet]

does that truck has water in fuel indicators on both filters like the Ram? Maybe that is why you don't have to drain it until you get a light.

 

[JR]

It's got 2 wif sensors and a total of 3 filters...all of them substantially larger than what is on the Ram.
WIF lights are a good addition but provide a false sense of security to most IMO. If that light comes on, the system is contaminated and a good chance damage is already done to some degree. Most use that as a gauge to determine system saturation and that is a
mistake. The primary will stop a small amount of water but once saturated will pass right through the system.