Fuel Filter Interval Seems Really Short

[MJWenrich]

My first fuel filter changes were done at 7500 miles because the EVIC was down to 10% life. That was in October last year. I had trouble resetting the % but that problem was solved via this forum. I check it periodically and it has been going down at the same rate as oil life. The last time I looked a couple weeks ago both were around 80%. I just made another trip south and while cruising along on one of the L.A. freeways I looked again and it was at 13%. I now have just over 13,000 and cannot understand how it could take a dump like that in one or two thousand miles. I drove back home (about 500 more miles ) and it's dow to 11%. I was towing both directions but not extremely heavy. Also just added my fourth 2 1/2 gallon bottle of DEF at 12,000 miles. Maybe 2,000 miles of towing since new. That's just an FYI for those looking at this post. Looks like every 2,500 miles.

My question is, do we have to pay much attention to that gauge? If we are supposed to get 15K miles on these expensive filters, whaz up? Can I just ignore it, reset it again or do I have to keep changing? I always buy fuel at high volume locations so I cannot believe I got bad fuel, but of course that is possible. But twice? Ay different locations? I doubt it.

Opinions on this appreciated.

Mike

 

[firefighter_2000]

I had a reflash done on mine because of short life, but I'm not sure if it would apply to yours. Mine is a 13.

 

[Newsa]

I have been changing mine at 8,000-9,000 mile intervals even with 30%+ life left on the monitor. It just has.been a convenient time for me to change it.
I do notice the monitor goes faster after my 2500 mile trip pulling a 5k trailer. About.to do that again starting next week.

 

[Newsa]

Forgot to mention that my front filter looked fairly clean with 30%-35% life still on the monitor.

 

[Dieselnerd]

My 2014 needed the flash. Dealer can tell by the VIN.

 

[MJWenrich]

I guess I will have to check with the dealer again. I just had several flashes done and that may have been one of them. Does anyone know what the TSB for that is????? I could look on my paperwork from the dealer. My first filter change at 10% came at under 5K miles and this one would be at 7K now.

 

[firefighter_2000]

On this subject... On my EVIC, it shows how many gallons have been used since last filter change. Wouldn't that be inaccurate for the fuel filter since the pump is actually pumping more GPH and just returning much of it to the tank? I know they probably intended for it to mean how much fuel has been through the injectors, however I'm sure there are several variables as to how much is being returned to the tank depending on demand over the life of the filter. So, I guess it begs the question(s), 1. Is the gallons used since last filter change used to determine the filter life? 2. How many gallons on average can be passed through a filter before it must be changed?
Craig

 

[Bob4x4]

First the filter interval is supposed to be miles only. Get the latest ECM version.
Next. We do not use a flow meter to determine mpg- it is calculated from ECM data

 

[MJWenrich]

I still would like to know if we can ignore the % gauge and go by miles. Anyone have that answer? I don't want to go into a limp mode just because of the gauge prompting some device to shut me down. I do carry an extra filter(s) but don't want to change these by the side of the road.

 

[Bob4x4]

no repercussions

 

[Newsa]

no repercussions

If I understand Bob4x4 correctly, the EVIC screen is not the last word in fuel filter change cycle. The manual says that oil & oil filter life is calculated based on usage. And will prompt you to change it earlier if it sees driving behavior that reduces oil life. The manual doesn't say this about fuel filter life. The only thing that I see could be bad is if your filter is extra dirty, when you pull the front filter out, some dirt could drop into the canister and get particles on the clean side of the filter. There is an eiree sucking sound when pulling the spent filter out which makes me say a little prayer that tge filter is holding onto the dirt. So personally, i refuse to let mine go 10,000 miles. I will change it more than required to reduce the possibility of getting dirt on the clean side of the front filter and to make sure all.the water has been removed from the diesel

 

[MJWenrich]

Thank you both. I will need to get some additional filters soon and begin to review the oil change fiasco. The dealer did the last one and I was dripping oil for two weeks from the sloppy job on the filter change. That was the first change so I have not done my own yet but will be doing it as long as my body holds out. I figure I will use fossil oil one more time and then go to synthetic. Probably does not matter but I wanted to give the engine time to break in before putting the extra slippery stuff in. I know it came with synthetic but a couple regular oil changes might be better. Or not. Certainly less expensive.

Still have not had the key fob removal problem again so waiting for that and having it towed in for a fix. And still need to order the BD Diesel device for the pedal response. Further to follow.

Mike

 

[gsbrockman]

I have no problems going with 15k intervals on the fuel filter replacements. Per Fuelly, http://www.fuelly.com/car/ram/3500/2014/gsbrockman/298756 , I have a lifetime average of 13.4 mpg along with an average miles per hour of 53.8 Based on these averages, my fuel filters are filtering about 1,119 gallons of fuel per change.

These '13 & up 4th GENS have a superior fuel filtration system. No OEM RAM / Cummins setup filters better than these. On an additional note, my truck trends on 15k fuel filter intervals and oil change intervals per the EVIC, perhaps due to the high average miles per hour I accrue.