fuel filter mistake?

[DFrank]

I am in the middle of changing the fuel filter, which was a little overdue. I forgot to drain it before removing it. I asume I just let all the dirty stuff down into the filter bowl. Should I take any extra measures to clean out the bowl?



Is this a problem?



btw wat do others do to catch the runoff from the drain? I put an oil pan on the groiund, but it only gets 80% of it.



Thanks, Dave

 

[CHolman]

You know what I do when I'm doing that... I pour a can of SEA FOAM fuel system cleaner in her. Guy's on here turned me on to Sea Foam and it is great stuff...

 

[troll3193]

btw wat do others do to catch the runoff from the drain? I put an oil pan on the groiund, but it only gets 80% of it.



Thanks, Dave

I have a 1 gallon gas can that I drain into. I use a piece of pipe set in the can, to lead the drain tube to... Catches it pretty well, and I use the fuel in the can when I need to start a fire or something. .



Bryan

 

[jjpilot]

Sea Foam

Are saying you pour sea foam in the fuel filter canaster after you drain it?

 

[Slicks]

I am in the middle of changing the fuel filter, which was a little overdue. I forgot to drain it before removing it. I asume I just let all the dirty stuff down into the filter bowl. Should I take any extra measures to clean out the bowl?



Is this a problem?



btw wat do others do to catch the runoff from the drain? I put an oil pan on the groiund, but it only gets 80% of it.



Thanks, Dave

I went to the hardware store and bought some 1/2" clear tubing and routed it to a better place were I can actually catch the diesel rather than cover my front diff in diesel. Trying to help promote a cleaner, healthier enviroment and so I can see what comes out. Also keep a plug on the end to keep dirt out of the tube, so when I drain it I can get a good idea what is coming out of there!

 

[jjdiesel]

garden hose

I just use an old piece of garden hose, about 18 to 24" in length... slips perfectly over the factory tube and I can drain it right into any container I desire.

 

[PGreenleaf]

So you guys open your water drain and empty the canister before you remove the filter ?? Then what ,how do you reprime, or do you refill the canister with clean fuel before you replace the cover??

 

[CPittman]

The newer trucks are 'self-priming'... just re-install the fuel filter in the canister, close the fuel drain valve and cycle the key on and off about five or six times without starting the engine. If you have the 'under-hood' lift pump you'll hear it come on for a few seconds and then shut off; turn the key off and then back on while listening for the lift pump. After a few cycles, crank it and it'll start right up.



If you have the in-tank lift pump it won't shut off, it will just keep running - so let it run for three or four seconds and key off again - Like above, do this about five or six times and then let her rip.

 

[jjdiesel]

bump the starter

I bump the starter one time... pump runs for about 25 seconds, second time it fires right up!

 

[MChildress]

To answer the question your are fine. The rubber gasket on the filter that slides over the pipe sticking up in the middle of the canister will keep any crud out. I open my fuel bowl drain every oil change just to check for water and crud.

 

[DFrank]

Thanks for the replies. My concern was never being able to restart, but the potential for all the sediment that had not drained to contaminate the filter bowl. After draining, there was a lot of visible sediment in the last little bit of fuel that does not drain. I flushed and drained that with a few ouced of "seafoam". I then installed the filter and filled and drained the bowl a few more times before filling and starting. I imagine there wasw still some sediment that found its way to the wrong side of the filter. Oh well I guess. It certainly fired right up.



Dave