Fuel Filter Change

[EWalker]

I am getting ready to change the oil for the first time and was going to change the fuel filter also. How difficult is this and how often shouild I change it?

 

[FourBarR]

you need to fill in your truck signature so we know how to answer your question.

 

[EWalker]

Sorry, still learning

hope this works

 

[Shadrach]

For warranty purposes you will need to follow DC guidlines. i would change the fuel filter at least every second oil change. Also check your air filter at every service. It is rather small and needs to be servied often. I have seen way too many newer truck with dusted engines because of lack of mainenance. Shadrach

 

[BBoling]

I am interested also: what's the best procedure, I AM A NEWBIE. Also, what Walker said, how difficult is this?

 

[Jim Potteiger]

BBoling, I had a 2003 Dodge and changing the oil filter is easy from the top side. I removed a air intake hose and the oil filter is right there. When installing the new oil filter I would pour a qt. of oil into the new filter. I don't remember changing the fuel filter. It does have a manual drain valve. Sorry I don't have more info.

 

[DeezelDood]

First of all, this is for the 5. 9. Your sig does not indcate which engine you have. Quote from TDR member rbattelle. Good procedure. I will add:

-Genos Garage sells a nice little socket for the fuel filter cap. It's 3/8" drive so less likely to crack the cover. Other tips:

-Buy the Premium 7micron Fleetguard filter from Genos. The end cap on this filter is thinner than the original, looks cheap but it is a very good filter and will snap into the cap easily.

-Pick up a barb coupling and some clear tubing so you can extend the drain to a container on the ground.

-With engine off (and key out) the filter is not pressurized. Open the yellow drain cock and drain it all out. It will be about a cup full. If it drains slowly just crack open the cover. Air will displace the fuel.

-Drop the cover/filter into a 1 Gallon zip lock bag so you don't drip DO all over the place maneveuring it out of the engine. (This works for LO filter as well)

-Others may disagree, but do not wipe out the cannister. It will probably be clean anyway and you risk contaminating the clean side or breaking off the water indicator probes.

Fuel filter change is simple:



1. Open the drain (turn the little yellow handle) until fuel stops coming out. THEN TURN OFF THE DRAIN!

2. Using a 1-1/8" socket, remove the filter canister cover.

3. Pull up on the canister cover; the filter is attached to the underside of it.

4. Turn the filter to unlock it and remove it from the cover.

5. Remove the o-ring (new filter will come with one).

6. Apply a small amount of engine oil to the new o-ring and install it on the filter lid.

7. Lock the new filter in place under the lid.

8. Place the filter/lid assembly back on the canister and tighten to 25 ft-lb (just "snug it up").

9. "Bump" the starter, but don't start the vehicle. Leave the key in "RUN". You will hear the lift pump run for 30 seconds, then shut off. Repeat the process once.

10. Start the truck and check for leaks.



BTW, this procedure is probably repeated 1000 times in this forum... a quick search would have pulled up many examples. (which begs the question, why did I take the time to write it all out?)



-Ryan

 

[kowaliga]

Above suggestions/advice are accurate. In addition: having depressurized the filter's cannister/holder and unscrewed its plastic cap to the point that it should lift out, but feels restrained, pull it straight up and it will gradually emerge ( I think this initial resistance is the old o-ring not relinquishing its grip); Notice the old o-ring's location so you will replace it with the new one; The replacement filter can be mounted in its cap only one way, which will become obvious after you try the other way; Don't cross-thread the cap upon its re-installation and tighten it with a wrench. . but not much more than when the cap gets tight ( using a six inch long wratchet as opposed to an 18 inch long drive ) in lieu of measuring pound-feet of torque.

 

[SHobbs]

If the fuel filter cap is the same as the 2nd gens which I think it is, ditch that plastic cap and get the billet cap from Genos. The first time you are miles and miles away from home and that plastic cap cracks leaving you stranded you will wish you had. Fleetguard made some design changes to the filter so it may be tight in the billet cap, a few passes with a file corrects that problem.

 

[fprawlins]

I've had trouble restarting the truck after draining the water filter-whether accidentally when releasing water, or after the one time that I have changed the water filter. What is the best way to bleed the system so that I'm not cranking so much trying to get it restarted. I tried to follow the manual's directions, but I still cranked more than I thought I should have.

 

[fprawlins]

hopefully this shows what I've got.

 

[JGrefenstette]

hey guys. ive got a 93 ram. and am way over due to change my fuel filter. im gonna do it this weekend, and was wondering. do i have to bleed out my system after wards, or prime the new filter? is there a shut off valve er somthin that will prevent fuel from leaking out? ive never replaced the fuel filter and dont no what to expect. can anyone describe the proceedure or atleast tell me of anything that might be a suprise?

thanks

 

[DZLFREK]

As far as bleeding the system, simply bring the key to the start setting and bump the starter... . but don't crank the system. The bowl will be refilled at this point. One can simply do this a second time to verify the bowl is full. Then simply start like normal. It should start fine. Best of success!



David

 

[JGrefenstette]

thanks david. so i guess there is nothing to it. just diconect the water sensor, unscrew the old filter, screw the new one on and prime it an im done?

 

[EWalker]

Never had such an easy time changing a filter. I think the air filter may take more effort than the fuel. I did notice the fuel filter was black when it came out. Is this normal?

 

[rotohead]

... I did notice the fuel filter was black when it came out. Is this normal?

Completely normal.

 

[Missouri Mule]

If the filter was really dirty this would be normal and indicates that you should change fuel filter more often or find another station to fill up at.



Also black could mean algae or some type of bacteria probelm.

 

[icman95]

I know the procedure for priming the fuel filter bowl is to run the lift pump without running the engine-done it many times myself. I find that this isn't quiet enough, though. After doing it, the engine cranks too much before starting. Have to run pump multiple times and still starts way too hard. Pouring diesel from a gas can straight into the bowl after the filter is in there seems to help tremendously. Removes much of the air that would otherwise cause the hard starting problems. Run lift pump once and the engine starts right up.

 

[IanF]

I haven't changed the filter in the truck yet, but have done so many times in my TDI. To prime the filter I use a Mighty-vac on the "out" port to suck fuel through the filter. Can this be done on the Cummins?

 

[AKaiser]

-Others may disagree, but do not wipe out the cannister. It will probably be clean anyway and you risk contaminating the clean side or breaking off the water indicator probes.

The manual disagrees. You are SUPPOSED to clean off the WIF (water in fuel) sensor.