fuel filter relocation

[Jfam]

Getting ready to purchase a fuel filter relocation kit from Geno's. Any installation tips would be appreciated. Like: easy, meduim, PITA! or any other tips. (See signature for truck details)

 

[Ted W. Hazen]

Jfam, I did mine three years ago and have never regreted it. It's sooo much easier to change that pesky filter. The instructions that come with the Prime loc are very good you just have to get the hoses hooked up properly to the adapter and the fuel block. I also got some clear plastic hose just slightly larger than the new fuel lines, split them down and middle and nylon tied them together to keep the lines from chafing. Fairly straight forward job and the last time you'll have to wrestle with the filter you can't even see. Goo Luck.

 

[swamp rat]

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT forget to remove the old O-ring gasket from the screw on tube before you mount the bypass block. It is not the easiest thing to get to, and I suggest using a short flathead screwdriver or thin sturdy flat piece of metal to get it separated from the stock filter mount. Once you get it separated, you cna easily screw it off. I forgot to do this the first time and ended up spraying fuel everywhere beause the old and new O-rings together did not allow a solid seal between the new bypass and the stock filter head. Also be gentle with both the large and small new round O-rings as you install them. The small one can easily be damaged by the threads on the pipe as you push it on.



Other than that, have some Neo-Sporin on hand to help heal the scratches you will undoubtedly get on your right forearm from the sharp metal around the master cylinder.



A topside Creeper is a Godsend for this install, if you have one or know someone who does!



As an aside, If you haven't cleaned the prescreen filter and and replaced the O-rings top and bottom of the fuel heater, I'd recommend doing so before you finish installing the Prime-Loc mount plate and filter head. It is much easier to do so beforehand and with as many miles as your truck shows, it is definitely due to be checked. Mine only has 65k and the O-rings were getting rather crusty. Cummins has the kit for less than $7 and another $. 60 or so for the top O-ring. DC sells the kit for about $45.

 

[Tom Trujillo]

re:fuel relocation

If you follow the instructions and the tips from Swamp Rat you will be ok. Its pretty straight forward. I would suggest that you get the fuel restriction gauge while your at it. I went 45K miles on my original OEM filter (no towing). No sense changing expensive spin on filters without need.



Tom

 

[Howard Durand]

I agree, the Prime Loc kit is an excellent investment and is easy to install once you figure out how to get the by-pass block mounted.

I did mine when they first came out and it was done the hard way which included all of the scratches, bruises and necessary bad language.

I recently had to change out my fuel hoses and finally discovered it made things much easier to remove the starter and disconnect the front drive line (4X4).

After that, You can actually reach up there from below with normal arms to remove hoses and anything else including the filter and lift pump.

Take a look and see what you think.



Removing the starter is easy.

 

[Bob Ellithorpe]

I'll second the starter removal - wish I would have done so,would have saved a lot of frustration !!

 

[SteveH]

Bought my Prime Loc from the Cumming dealer in Billlings, MT and they only charged me 1/2 hour labor to put it on. That was a BARGAIN as my hands weren't nearly as scratched and gouged as the mechanic who installed it.

 

[FBFISH]

A word of warning to those who have relocated their fuel filters (at least on 95 trucks). Unless you do something clever, you will eventually have problems with broken wires/leaking at the water sensor. I suspect that the cantelevered installation of the relocated filter amplifies vibration and "work harden" the wires until they break/leak. Some folks have inserted a service loop in the wires and tie wrapped them to the filter itself to prevent the problem. As a temporary fix, I just went to a filter without the bottom hole for the water sensor. BTW, a new sensor is around $45.

 

[swamp rat]

Expensive WIF sensor

FB where did you go for such an expensive WIF sensor? I need to stay far far away from there! Genos only wants about $16 for one. Cummins is only a few pennies more. Matter of fact DC replaced mine about 2. 5 years ago and only charged me about $18, but they were doing a fuel filter change as well as a freebie OilChange/Lube. The wires had been pulled out/broken and half-a$$ replaced by a quickie oil change place a year earlier, and DC was nice enough to replace the sensor. IIRC, the fuel filter, sensor and labor was less than $50, but they were still in the old shop and labor was half what it is now. ($30/hr then $70/hr now) That also happened to be the last time, I really thought the dealer was doing me right.

 

[FBFISH]

Swamp Rat--- At my age, you have to becareful about what you (think you) remember, but I ordered mine from Genos. Unfortunately, I was in Fla at the time I repaired the leak and could not wait for the new sensor to arrive before I fixed the leak. The new sensor arived before I left, so my plan was to install it when I got back home to MD. Unfortunately, I left the new part in Fla by mistake. If it is only $16, I will buy a new one instead of waiting for my next visit to my son in Fla. Thanks

 

[swamp rat]

FB, you need not say another word about memory problems. I have had way more than my share. I do fully understand.



While I'm thinking about it, I've been trying to find a source of various OEM style electrical connectors. If I can find a source for the same type that is used on teh WIF sensor, what I had planned on doing is rework the wiring to put two connectors inline to make it easier to disconnect the sensor from the wiring harness and only have a very short wire/connector dangling from the filter when removing it. I think that is where quite a bit of stress happens upon the wire. Besides reducing the strain, it will allow direct wire tying the longer end to the fuel hoses as further stress relief.



If I get lucky enough to find these connectors, I'll pass the word around where and how much! Someone out there has to supply the mfr. and so they probably would supply the private sector as well.