Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Filter Element - HELP!

[Happy Camper]

Forgot to observe the old one.



The element is open in the center on one end. Does this end go up or down in the filter housing???? 2001 Ram 1 ton



Thanks in advance Kimzy

 

[csevers]

Down? I am pretty sure it won't fit any other way.



Craig

 

[Mactruck]

Yes, he's correct.

DOWN

 

[Happy Camper]

Thanks all! From a logical standpoint that is what I thought but sometimes logic does not work and I wanted to be positive. Thanks again. Out to get diesel smell on me before lunch.



Done!! But DUMB!!! If I would have done the job of cleaning the unit I would have seen it can only go in one way. !!!



Bumped the starter 6 times and each time let it run until it shut off and STILL DID NOT LIKE ME!! Took awhile to breath life into the beast. But purring like a lion now.

 

[Lordsman]

hint

Drain your fuel into a clean canister before changing filter. Pour it back in with your new filter before bolting up. You won't lose your prime, and it'll start right up.

 

[WestTN]

Priming

If you pour fuel into your filter, you risk contaminating the system. The particle size to damage your injection pump is extremely small. It is better to cycle the key to purge the filter as directed in the service manual.

 

[illflem]

Using drain fuel from the filter is a bad idea as the drain comes off the dirty side of the filter, more than likely you're backflushing the gunk off just to add it again.

 

[DKupfrian]

When you say you bumped the starter, do you actually do that or do you just cycle the key in the run position?



Asking because I am due for a filter change.



Thanks

 

[illflem]

Bumping the starter means to just turn the engine over for a fraction of a second then leave the key in the run position.

 

[DKupfrian]

Thanks

 

[TomGolden]

On my 2001 you can not physically put the filter element in upside down, as there is a "pole" that sticks up exactly in the center of the bowl part of the filter, and it goes up inside the filter element when you insert the element back into the cannister



When I change mine, I bump my starter at least 4 - 6 times, to make SURE there is no air left in the cannister. By the way, last weekend when changing my filter element, I got the oh so brilliant idea that hey, if I just barely start to thread the lid back on, air can escape when the lift pump is filling the cannister back up (priming it), and so it will make certain there is no air left in there. Now, I had never done that before, always fully screwed the lid on, just thought this would be a good idea... .







NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



as soon as I hit the starter, the lift pumps began spewing diesel all over the underside of the engine!

 

[KenHokie]

That's part of the fun of working on your truck, getting diesel fuel all over everything One time my water drain valve on the fuel filter stuck open and I pumped 2 - 3 gallons of diesel out onto the garage floor before I realized what was going on!