Fuel Filter Question

[GLeishman]

I have had my 03 Ram for a little more than a year (bought Oct 2002) It has 8100 miles, changed oil twice. I was going to wait for the next oil change to change out the fuel filter (going to be around 10,000 miles). The question is that I may not change oil for another 4 months, this will make the oil filter about 1. 5 years old. Is the oil filter need to be changed based on mileage only or does time play into the replacement?

 

[ddutil]

Trust the pictures we've seen on the TDR, they are real. Your original filter is in a yucky state.



Find yourself a rightly priced filter (at Geno or Cummins), and do it yourself (a 10 minutes job), now!



The quality of the fuel is the deterministic, not time nor mileage.



Have fun! If I was able to do it, you'll be able too.



Dan

 

[MMeier]

OIL or FUEL filter will be 1. 5 yrs. old? Either way change the fuel filter out!

 

[Fuzzy Bear]

I changed mine for the first time at 6500 miles. It was all black and yucky looking. My 2001 never looked anything like that. I will change it again next oil change and probably keep doing it every oil change until it looks better. The $10 or so for the filter is worth the peace of mind to me. The HPCR makes priming so much easier, why not just do it.



Doug

 

[stownsend]

Bring the filter to work and we can change it in the parking lot... . it's that easy.



Steve

 

[PhilMorrell]

Could someone tell me where it is?



I just got the filter pack from Geno's and it came with a FS19579 filter. I assume thats the correct part number for a 03 HO, but I dont seem to have the slightest idea what it's supposed to go in.



Well ok, I think it goes in the grey looking canister on the drivers side of the block. Does the black plastic castle looking lid just screw out of the canister? Am I supposed to drain the fuel in there first?



I'm not normally this retarded, but without a book I am lost on this.



Thanks for any help.

 

[boonsur]

Open the drain (yellow lever). You'll want to use something to collect the old fuel below the truck, where it comes out of the tube.



Remove the top of the canister. Use the properly sized socket. Early models had a hole so you can use a 3/8 (?) socket. However, these are very prone to cracking... use the outer hex.



Remove old filter - replace with new (o-ring, etc. ). Clean/Re-install/tighten down (I use a dab of the old fuel to lubricate the o-ring).



Bump the key (not long enough to turn over) to prime (fuel pump will run for 20 seconds, or so). Repeat a few times, then start. (No need to crack fuel lines to prime, with the HPCR ).



Good luck

 

[PhilMorrell]

Easy as pie.



Thanks a ton.

 

[XcumminsX]

would it be ok to do this when its 14 degrees out? 5800 miles and i want to replace mine.....comp says i am getting 13. 8 mpg :--) but that is with 315's and no recalobration

 

[GLeishman]

Changed it myself

I said in my post the oil filter, meant the fuel filter. bought a filter on my way home from work, checked the manual, not much help Took a wrench and loosened the top of the filter housing, pulled the filter out, it was BLACK Replaced with new filter ($14. 00) Started Engine, it died after two seconds, turned the key off, waited, started engine again, all is well. Took me about 20 min total. 10 minutes was finding the right tools to take it out, next time it will be a 10 min job. Thanks for advise from all. I'm glad I replaced it now.

 

[GLeishman]

Thanks Steve

Thanks for the offer Steve, but I got it replaced. Your right, it was easier then I thought it would be. Steve and I work for the same company, that was why he said to bring my truck to work and change the filter in the parking lot.



Guy