FUEL FILTER DID I MAKE A MISTAKE??

[groundpounder]

Today I bought my first fuel filter. I have over 30,000 miles on my truck. I bought it from auto zone for $28. I have a 99 any tips on the install? What mistakes did I already make? Where should I buy my filters?

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99 Dodge 4x4 Quad Diesel auto. K&N, 4" JRE, 5" chrome tip, matched 275 Bosch injectors, 2. 5" Skyjacker leveling kit, Silencer ring MIA. (more to come)

 

[Scott_Old]

I buy mine from NAPA, most guys use fleetguard or the like. Do a search on fuel filters, you will get alot of info. I change mine @ 15k. Do not use a 1/2" drive ratchet to remove top cover, it could break! Use a large socket(1-1/8 I think) pull out old filter, install new filter. Also use new O-ring on top cover.
Also it is a good idea to carry a spare filter with you incase you get ahold of some bad fuel. Scott

 

[groundpounder]

They sales guys at Auto zone said that this was a brand name "duetch" sounded like that anyway. Or it was just like it. Anyway I said its a $28. 00 fuel filter.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Groundpounder,

Here are some tips from Fritz`s web page: http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/DIESEL/FILTER/99fuel_filter.htm

 

[HVAC]

Pounder, the most important thing when changing the fuel filter is to get the air out of the system once your back together. You can prefill the filter with clean diesel (not the fuel from the old filter) after which you need to crack a fitting and run the lift pump till you get the air bubbles out. Then you can attempt to start the engine.

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Nowel/Performance Diesel

 

[CumminsAholic]

I had the same problem as twolf. I had to get a new o ring because the small round one split when I put the filter on. The first time you do it you'll be mad at dodge, they didn't put the filter in an easy spot to get at. Scott. . what about that larger socket? Maybe the 99's are different, but I don't understand what you mean.


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1998. 5 2500, 4x4, SB, Red Sport, Agate Interior, Quad Cab, O. H. Console, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Trailer Tow and Camper Special Packages, Mopar Aluminum Nerf Bars, Spray In Bedliner, Pioneer/Jensen System, 255/85's, Bd Adjustable Preformance Box w/boost module, Boost Elbow, 4" Exhaust Split Into Two 3" w/5" cans, K+N Scotty Style, Exhaust Blanket, Bill K's Valve Body, Etc, Etc... .

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by twolf913:
Be careful with the small o-ring when you put the housing back on. My first change I split the o-ring, it started fine when I bled the air and primed the filter but when I shut it off and let it set it would draw air and lock up. When I took it back off I noticed the o-ring problem. Lucky for me I still had the old one.

The 99 filter can is turned off and the filter top stays on the eng . Top has two fittings (plugs) and these can be used to fill after filter is put in place , to purge air bump start switch and pump will run 28 seconds two times and this should get the air out, make sure to remove water in fuel conection and reinstall after clean and check of connection male and female side, filter can be bought at Genos for about 14 dollars and come with complete instructions also keep old one if was not cloged it could be used to get you home in a bad fuel situation better yet a spair new filter. I use a small funnel and fill through the (plug)fitting . LOL Its not hard .

 

[WCrovo]

I thought 6,000 was the recomended service interval for the fuel filter? I wouldn't go any longer especially with the new pumps. I use the fleetgaurd. I am going to check my owners manual but I thought it was 6,000 miles.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH, Bright white.

 

[big barney]

ddskipper

When you say the two fittings on top of the fuel filter, do you mean the fittings to check the fuel pressure or some other fittings?

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by walter crovo:
I thought 6,000 was the recomended service interval for the fuel filter? I wouldn't go any longer especially with the new pumps. I use the fleetgaurd. I am going to check my owners manual but I thought it was 6,000 miles.

<font color=blue>
Schedule "A" says replace fuel filter at 15,000 miles.

Schedule "B" says replace fuel filter at 7500 miles.

 

[Missouri Mule]

groundpounder,
28. 00 is not bad I understand Dodge charges more. I paid 25. 00 for fuel filter for my Freightliner at Cummins. Unfortunately it was for a Dodge ISB. 59 not my Frieghtliner. Of course Dodge has changed to the same filter set up as the ISB 5. 9 in the med duty trucks.

Had a young man stopped in business to ask about where fuel filter was on engine(he bought 97 3500 recently at used truck center,first Dodge/Cummins). He had the truck at tire dealer that apparently does service work also(he was having power problems). This tire place charged him 60. 00 #ad
for the fuel filter(the same one I bought from Cummins for 25. 00) and they wouldn't install it because they did not know where the fuel filter was.

I showed him where it was and basics how to do it. He opted for plan C go to my new found Diesel shop Florida Tractor. Following up on his visit there they changed it for nothing(because it was a whole lot easier than my Mule's). Apparently it never was changed since the truck was bought new, the filter was dark brown(almost black). The young man returned the next day told the guy at FT that he didn't need any power enchancements, he had plenty of power now.

BTW they called Cummins Dealer(only one in town) the parts man told them that they could change out chip in computer to increase HP. This the third or fourth time I have heard this from pre ISB engine Dodge owners the other three believed it and it is from the same place every time.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[Missouri Mule]

big barney,
Yes they are the same ones. If your cap stays on engine. One is inlet line from lift pump, the other one closer to injector pump is outlet and supplys the injector pump.
The banjo screws can be used for multiple purpose uses,pressure test or filling up filter after change and bleeding air out of system.

 

[big barney]

Missouri Mule

Thanks. I've been using the bump the starter method of filling my fuel filter after a change. I bump it four or five times. It starts but takes about twenty seconds of grinding on the starter to do so. Think I'll try filling from the test ports next time. Does the fuel still get filtered before going to the pump using this method? Thanks guys

 

[twolf913]

Be careful with the small o-ring when you put the housing back on. My first change I split the o-ring, it started fine when I bled the air and primed the filter but when I shut it off and let it set it would draw air and lock up. When I took it back off I noticed the o-ring problem. Lucky for me I still had the old one.

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99 2500 Quad 4X4 Black 5-Speed
Cummins Longbed

 

[groundpounder]

Results are in. Thanks to all who helped I made it through my first fuel filter change. It was very simple with no problems. The filter that came out was totally black however there was no water or sediment in the canister. I filled the canister then replaced it back on and filled it the rest of the way through the two plug holes in the top. I hit the key and it fired right up. I never knew about the petcock to drain the canister though. Learn something everyday. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!

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99 Dodge 4x4 Quad Diesel auto. K&N, 4" JRE, 5" chrome tip, matched 275 Bosch injectors, 2. 5" Skyjacker leveling kit, Silencer ring MIA. (more to come)

 

[Evan A. Beck]

WOW! 28 bucks for a fuel filter! You got reamed pretty good, man! #ad
I pay 9 bucks at Cummins.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

the 99 uses a different filter housing that the 2000 up , scott , its much easier to replace the filter on a 2000 -up than the earlier ones , also the filter is cheap , i think i paid 12 bucks at the FL dealer , closer to me than cummins ...

 

[twolf913]

I bought my first filter from the local Dodge dealer. I have a close friend that runs a garage so he called there and told them to put it on his bill, then I would recieve the discount they give him. His cost was $38. 00 #ad
#ad
I should have known better. They wanted $5500 more for the truck I bought than I paid at another dealer. I now buy all my filters straight from Cummins.

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99 2500 Quad 4X4 Black 5-Speed
Cummins Longbed

 

[RobbyRam]

I paid $14 installed for a 'Fleetguard' filter here in Sacramento,CA at a 'Big Rig type' quick lube place.

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Bob in Sacramento, Y2K Black 3500 ISB 4x4 4:10 LSD,Auto,QC,SLT Laramie, Slightly BOMBED LB, Polished Stull Billet Grill & Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges,Rancho 9000's set at '1',Diamond Plated Tool Box, OEM U. R. Bedliner + other stuff.
Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!