Fuel filter change tips needed.

[MojaveJoe]

Hey Guys,



Im sure most of you have changed a fuel filter element or two in your day. This will be my first try. So I was hoping you'd share some tips on how to do it the easy way.



Also , Iam interested in how you clean the 'water in fuel sensor', as noted in my maintenance log?



All your suggestions and experiences appreciated,

Joe

 

[DJennings]

Here is an answer courtesy of WSnyder from a previous thread below.



To clear water in separator, just open the yellow lever on the side of the fuel filter housing for a few seconds and drain until you see diesel coming out (Drain it into something). You may need to do the start procedure talked about below to get it restarted.



"The filter housing is located on the drivers side of the engine approximately 3/4 of the way back towards the firewall next to the engine block and is bolted to the side of the intake manifold. It has an aluminum housing with a black plastic cover which is removed by a 1 1/8" socket. Clean the housing/cover first to keep debris out before removing the cover. Open the filter drain (yellow lever on filter housing) to relieve any pressure in the housing. Close the drain. The filter will come out with the cover and is retained by 4 integral plastic clips on the cover. Just wiggle the filter off the clips on the cover and replace with the new filter. Replace the o-ring just above the threads on the cover and replace filter/cover assembly into housing. I lube the o-ring with a little fuel before re-installing the cover. Tighten to spec marked on the filter cover (I forgot what it is). Bump the starter but do not start the engine to cycle the lift pump (I do this three times) which will purge any air in the system. The lift pump will run about 20 seconds and then will shut off. The engine should now start and run fine. "

 

[MHalloran]

Joe, I have a 96 and gettin to the fuel filter really isn't a problem (on mine anyway). After unplugging the WIF wire the hardest part I have is keepin the wires on the sensor from twistin up as I unscrew the filter. I'm lucky enuf to get my arms right in there with a filter wrench and work it off. :-laf (my arms aren't skinny either) But always remember to slide the old rubber washer off the center threaded sleeve before you screw the new filter (which as you know will be full of fresh fuel) on. Can't see this so ya gotta do it by feel. As for cleanin the sensor, just hold it over a bucket or something, compress the spring in it as you pour fuel right into the top of it. This lets any buildup "flush" right through. Heres a tip: If your're keen on (and I hope we all are) regularly flushin sediment out of this while it's in service and you don't like givin your starter a fuel bath :{ , get a length of rubber fuel hose (might be 1/4 inch size?) to slide over the discharge end of the sensor so you can direct the dirty fuel straight to a drain pan. Good luck!

 

[MMeier]

MH, I do believe Joe is talking about his 3rd gen truck here!

 

[MHalloran]

By readin DJennings post it seems that the 04 setup is a little different than the older (but just as good) engines. Sorry dude maybe I've helped someone else out then. Carry on guys...

 

[MMeier]

No harm intended MH, none at all !!! Always looking for helpful info myself !

 

[MojaveJoe]

Hmmmm... . So... if I read you guys right, the WIF sensor has to be removed to be cleaned? And flushing it with clean fuel is the basic maintenance method?



Also, wondering if it is necessary to fill fuel filter housing with fuel before starting? Or if the electronic fuel pump will take care of it for me?



Joe

 

[DJennings]

Joe... No.



As part of regular maintenance you are supposed to open the yellow lever on the bottom of the fuel filter to release water that has accumulated in the separator (fuel filter housing). When you open the lever, you will see water/fuel come out the clear hose coming from the bottom of the water separator. When you see fuel, you shut the valve. Normally hardly any water comes out. I do mine about once a month. I think the owners manual recommends to check it at every fillup. The owners manual has pretty easy to follow instructions on how to do this as well. Just remember, make sure its not running.



You don't have to remove anything to release any water that has accumulated in the separator. You should not add fuel to the housing directly. The fuel pump will fill it for you based on the method described in previous post.



If you are replacing the fuel filter, follow the instructions in previous post.

 

[MHalloran]

Joe you only have to remove the sensor when you change filters. Then flush it kinda like I said' unless the 3rd gen WIF sensor setup is different than the 2nd gen type. By what I hear theres a "lever" or something on yours to flush it out . It's gotta be the same idea though. When you say "filter housing" , if you're referring to the filter cannister itself, then YES, fill this up with fresh fuel before you install it. This helps to avoid a fuel loss on startup. Don't forget to use the new o-ring that comes with the new filter for the sensor re-install. Hopefully you can get to all this "filter work" from the top. Carry on...

 

[DJennings]

Please do a search in the 3rd gen forums on fuel filter replacement. I found many threads about it when I was looking for "how to" info. It is different on 3rd gen than 2nd gen, so I feel like you are probably more confused now than you were before you started.

 

[phloop]

MHalloran, the filter design has changed on the 3rd gens. To remove the filter all you need to do is open the fuel drain lever to release any pressure that may be in the housing and remove the lid. The sensor is located in the side of the fuel filter housing.



mojaveJoe, DJennings gave you some good info. As for cleaning the sensor, I guess unless it looks dirty I wouldn't mess with it. And you do not need to fill the housing with fuel. But...



I have been thinking of filling the housing with straight Power Service the next time I replace the fuel filter. I used to do that when I would change fuel filters in my '97 Power Stroke, kind of give it a straight shot of additive to help keep the injectors clean. And as the Cummins has the same basic style of fuel delivery as the IH, I can't see where it will hurt it any.

 

[JeepinDoug]

This is great info. I just got a new filter today to force myself to do it. I, at first, thought it would be nessecary to purge an injector line to clear air from the system. A search I did earlier said it was covered in Issue 45, the one issue I never received... . I got 44,46 and 47, go figure.

Now I have all the ammo I need, I just need mother nature to work with me, been raining all week.

Thanks guys.

 

[MHalloran]

Guys... sorry if I mislead or confused anyone. Didn't realize at first mojave joe was referring to a 3rd gen issue and I wasn't aware the 3rd gen set-up was so different than the 2nd gen. My apologies...

 

[roverhybrids]

I recommend a little grease on the O-ring when replacing the lid as I always have trouble with pinching the O-ring just using fuel as a lubricant.

 

[MojaveJoe]

The responses here suggest to me that few people bother cleaning the WIF sensor while doing a fuel filter change. I have never opened the WIF drain valve (31K), but it was probably done the couple times I had it in for DC service. I have never seen a WIF light. I now live in CA... moved from OH, so I doubt WIF is gonna be an issue here.



Thanks to all for your input... . and don't hesitate to correct me or add any other comments you might be inclined to



Regards,

Joe

 

[Dean Upson]

Joe,



The WIF can be an problem anywhere. There have been quite a few posts about that subject. Contaminated fuel is probably the major source of water. There is also a theory that water can enter the tank via the useless gasser fittings on the top of the tank.



Dean



Dean

 

[JeepinDoug]

The rain stopped which gave me time to tackle the fuel filter.

I moved like I was swimming in jello and still had it done in less than 15 minutes.

Wow, that was easy.

 

[MojaveJoe]

GOt eR dUN

Hey guys. After all your comments I was pretty confident, so went out and just did it! It wasn't half as hard as I thought it might be. The bottom of the canister was so clean I didn't bother trying to clean it. The fuel that it drained was also very clean. So I just left the WIF sensor alone, rather than try and clean it. What's the worse that will happen, a light? Now atleast I know how to drain the water out, and change the WIF sensor if need be.



That bump the starter and wait till the noise stops tip worked great. 3 times and she started up and ran like new on the first crank



Many thanks to all who volunteered their ideas.

Regards,

Joe