fuel filter problems

[ralphr]

this was the third time I have changed my fuel filter in 2 years! the first year I did not change it. this last time was 2 oi9l changes (about 8k miles since the last change.

when I change it this time, I found a greassy substance on the bottom of the fuel canister, almost like vasoline. it apparently was corrosive since the canister was discolored and pitted where it came in contact with the substance. I cleaned the canistor and sanded the pitted areas, cleaned again and rinsed with diesel before proceding with filter replacement. ??? what was this stuff, it can't be good for the injector pump or injectors! what can I do to avoid this in the future? anyone have any ideas???

Second, this as I said was the third time I change the filter with the same results! I try and follow the recomended procedure,( remove canister and clean, new O rings, soaked in diesel, fill canister with clean diesel, replace and retighten canistor, purge air by loosening outlet side plug bumping ignition, while lift pump is running tighten plug after diesel flows. problem can't start, crank crank, crank, no go! the only way I can get her started is by loosening a couple of injector tubes at the injectors, crank crank and crank until diesel starts flowing at loosened tube, retighten and crank some more, it then starts. I am afraid I am ruining the started, and/or the battery. try not to crank more than 30 sec at a time and then wait a min or 2. whole procedure takes 20 min or longer after replacing filter canistor. what am I missing???

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1999 3500 quad cab, auto aero fendor trim and running boards,
bugflector II, K&N filter, Geno's monster tip

 

[TXRam]

I loosen both of the 1/8" plugs on the top of the filter cannister - tighten when fuel, NOT just bubbles, starts coming out. Crank with acelerator pedal about 1/2 depressed. Starts within 10-15 seconds.

 

[Flash1034]

If your rig doesnt have a CAT on it, just fill the filter up with AFT and put her back on. It works fine and give your fuel system a cleaning too. Ive done it for years without ANY troubles.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I had that problem with my truck and it ended up being a bad lift pump (my 1st one), it was the only noticeable sign I had. Then I put a fuel pressure gauge and made the connection. I highly recommend you get your lift pump pressures checked or install a fuel pressure gauge. I have information on my fuel pressure gauge setup in the product forum and on your truck it's easy to put on. On the greasy substance that could be algae in yourr fuel. Read my post in the general diesel forum on bad fuel - did it have a sulphur smell to it?



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, SS ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[ralphr]

steve,

thanks for the info, I'll have to check the lift pump situation out! come to think of it I can't get over 3K rpm in first 2nd or 3rd, haven't tried 4th.

the greassy stuff did have a slight sulpher smell now that you mention it. should I get some bio guard? I usually run through a tank a week so it doesn't sit to long. thanks for the reply.

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1999 3500 quad cab, auto aero fendor trim and running boards,
bugflector II, K&N filter, Geno's monster tip

 

[DocStressor]

Sure sounds like you've got bugs! The problem is likely caused by bad fuel rather than stuff growing in your own tank. I had the same problem out here in Nevada after I picked up a bad tank of fuel out in the boonies. Florida temperature swings and humidity are nearly perfect for microbial growth. If you go to a marine supply house, they have diesel additive products that are supposed to dissolve the bugs as well as just inhibit their growth. I forget what the product is called but you can find the right one by reading the label. Pumping out the tank is a huge hassel. All you can do is to add the stuff and keep changing the filter until the problem goes away. I would also find a more reliable source of fuel.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags,Reese Titan V hitch, Mag-Hytec differential cover with Amsoil 2000 75W-90 lube, Amsoil air filter

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Sounds like you've got bugs to me too. Check out my post at https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum5/HTML/001162.html for the method that was recommended to me by a pump shop that I trust. Good luck, feel free to email me for my phone number and I can walk you through everything I did - my truck is running great again.

-Steve