Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Filter(s)

[RClark]

I just changed the fuel filter, 14800mi. , first time. it was very dirty. In 129,000

on my other truck I never saw them this dirty. I had a Fleetguard prefilter between the pump and tank, ran it 30, 000 between cahnges and it never blackened the element like I just saw.

Is this normal for the new stratapore fuel filters to turn this dirty?

Is there a good perfilter that can be put between the pump and tank?

Is it worth it?

 

[illflem]

RC, just one bad tank of fuel can plug the filter, with good luck it can go 50k+ without service. Probably one of the greatest sources of dirty fuel comes when a tanker is filling the station tanks while you're filling your truck, it stirs up the crud on the bottom. I use a fuel pressure gauge on my rigs and have never changed before 20k, never had any drop on the gauge. Sometimes a dirty looking filter flows just fine and a clean looking one is plugged, looks don't mean much.

 

[Roger Ledbetter]

Mine was black too

When I did mine it was awful. I noticed my top end runs alot better now. From now on I am going to change it regular once a year. If that black crap is organic maybe it grows on there with time.



BTW carry a spare filter with you at all times, a bad load of fuel can clog up your filter in no time and leave you stranded. My Brother is a trucker and tells me never fuel up if you see a tanker dumping fuel at the station... stirs up all the bottom muck.

 

[keimmmo]

I have run a pre-filter for years on the old '92. I also have one on the '01. 5, but the truck only has 22k on it so far. I use a Champ filter number LFF-5D. You should be able to cross the number to any brand you want to buy. It is a common filter on big rigs. You can buy the filter base from NAPA or Cummins.



Only concern is that a pre-filter increases the pull needed to get the fuel up to the lift pump. Considering the reputation of the lift pumps on the new trucks, I WOULD NOT run an extra filter without adding a pusher pump!!! I mounted my pusher low and near the fuel tank and the filter just ahead of it.



I usually change my filters about every 30k miles. They usually look good. I HAVE had a couple of times when they plugged in as little as 4,000 miles!!! Just one tank of dirty fuel can plug them!!! I also find that after plugging quickly due to bad fuel that I need to change a little sooner the next time as well.



Hope my experience helps



Steve

 

[RClark]

Thanks for the info.

What do you use for a Pusher pump?

Did you enlarge the banjo fittings?

 

[keimmmo]

I plan to enlarge the banjo fittings in the future. My motor is stock and I'm not sure how ciritcal it is, but I don't see how it could hurt and could help.



I spend most of my time in central Mexico. I wanted a pusher that I could replace easily in either country. What I am using was recommended to me by a trucker down here. He uses it on his big rig. It is a "no name" pump, but looks like the old AC pumps from the 60s-70s. It is rated 7-8 psi pressure. No rating was given for gallons per minute... but I figured if it could fuel a semi it would surely be adequate for my pickup! They cost only about $40. Reasonable in my opinion.