Fuel pressure and filtration

[Mschuman88]

Newer to me 2007 ram 2500, 52k miles, 5.9l

I’m coming from a 2nd gen truck so am a little sensitive to fuel pressure. I’m also reading more about the importance of fuel filtration in newer trucks.

1. I installed an isspro fuel pressure gauge in my 3rd gen I had left over from my old truck. Fuel pressure is around 7 psi at idle, and drops to around 5 when I’m cruising at hwy speeds. Should I start planning replacement? I don’t run a tune and injectors are stock. Mild towing and mostly commuting.

2. Does anyone have experience with the cat filter adaptors for our trucks? Besides the moral issue of having a cat filter on a Cummins, it seems like an economical way to get 2 micron filtration.

However, not sure if there are better options, or if the stock lift pump can handle it?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Wayne M.]

Hi there!
Your ‘07’s common rail system is extremely different from your old VP44 system. Fuel starvation killing the pump doesn’t happen with this system. It is good that you have a gauge for peace of mind though. Your readings are normal.
Filtration quality is a different issue though. These CR trucks were under spec’d at the factory and the addition of a 2 micron final filter upstream of the factory filter is an absolute must. Exactly which filters to use is a constant debate. The common rail system is much less tolerant in regard of contamination.
Personally, I use fleetguard FS19856 in the original can, and fleetguard FF5814 as the final spin on.
My truck is a 6 speed, and does not have the throttle linkage on the side of the engine, so I designed my own filter setup based on the glacier setup.
If you’d like to see my setup, I can link it here.

 

[Mschuman88]

Thanks Wayne, for the quick response. Makes me feel better about the fuel pressure.

Regarding the filter, would love to see your setup. Do you use a pusher pump or aftermarket pump? Or are you running the stock lift pump in the tank with your setup?

Thanks again!

Hi there!
Your ‘07’s common rail system is extremely different from your old VP44 system. Fuel starvation killing the pump doesn’t happen with this system. It is good that you have a gauge for peace of mind though. Your readings are normal.
Filtration quality is a different issue though. These CR trucks were under spec’d at the factory and the addition of a 2 micron final filter upstream of the factory filter is an absolute must. Exactly which filters to use is a constant debate. The common rail system is much less tolerant in regard of contamination.
Personally, I use fleetguard FS19856 in the original can, and fleetguard FF5814 as the final spin on.
My truck is a 6 speed, and does not have the throttle linkage on the side of the engine, so I designed my own filter setup based on the glacier setup.
If you’d like to see my setup, I can link it here.

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks Wayne, for the quick response. Makes me feel better about the fuel pressure.

Regarding the filter, would love to see your setup. Do you use a pusher pump or aftermarket pump? Or are you running the stock lift pump in the tank with your setup?

Thanks again!

Here you go!
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/final-fuel-filtration.247515/#post-2390075
Since then fleet guard came out with the filter I referenced above, and has better media. Again, the market is wide for this filter app. I’m sure others will contribute.
My truck is an 04.5 and was equipped with the lift pump on the filter housing, not in tank like yours should be. I replaced it once so far with a OE replacement.
If you’re staying stock, the OE pump will be fine. With the gauge, at least you’ll know if/ when it’ll act up.

 

[bigceltic]

I added 2 additional filters to mine - the Mopar Severe Duty Filter Kit (which is mostly for water) and is before the stock filter, and then the Glacier Diesel Kit after the stock filter and have had no issues at all with that set up. Takes longer to change filters is all!

Update: I had trouble finding replacement filters for the MSDFK - and they were SUPER expensive, and I almost changed the filter base so I could use other filters, but since then I found a good replacement filter (https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/pl-250-1-mann-fuel-water-separator-n-a.html) in case anyone is interested.

 

[Jim W]

I have a 2008, with the 6.7L Cummins engine, I too have added extra filtration to my fuel system. I do purchase one of my fuel filters from Geno's garage and the other filter from Glacier Diesel Power. The engine mounted filter is a 5micron filter and the secondary is a 2-micron filter (not absolute). I purchased my kit from Glacier Diesel Power to add the secondary filter. See pictures attached.

For your needs and year of engine the fuel filter mounted at the engine is a 7-micron rated filter part number FS19856 from Geno's garage for $15.95 + shipping. If you use the Cat fuel filter remember the 2-micron filter is not absolute. I believe this is around 5-micron absolute filter.

 

[Wayne M.]

I buy all my filters from Geno’s.

 

[Killgore]

All of the added filtration in my opinion is a necessity unless you enjoy problems with injectors and the pump, which nobody does. I installed the Glacier MKII system using a Donaldson P551313 filter and upgraded the primary filter to a Baldwin BF-7977. Since I have an auxiliary tank gravity feeding into the OEM tank I installed a Donaldson P550848 water separator between the two to do a little initial scrubbing. Looking through my maintenance records I can't seem to locate when I added 1/2" fuel lines from Glacier but I know I did it when I added two Tee's in the fuel line that I located on the frame rail and just before the CP3. Admittedly, there is some overkill here, but I have a Hewitt dual pressure gauge located in that useless cubby hole on the dash that allows me to monitor the health of the lift pump and measure the Delta factor on the filters which tells me when to change them out. I think I've bullet-proofed the fuel system as much as I can. I did manage to catch some black algae before it became a problem and now periodically add a biocide. Good luck and travel safe!

 

[Mschuman88]

Great reply’s by everyone. That custom kit is impressive Wayne, love the gauge.

Based on reading some reviews, think I’m going to go with the glaciers kit. I had a bad experience with air dog products in my 2nd gen so this would allow to keep my stock lift pump. Will post pics once the install is complete.

-Matt

 

[Mschuman88]

Awesome idea on the pressure differential! Do you have any pictures of your setup?

All of the added filtration in my opinion is a necessity unless you enjoy problems with injectors and the pump, which nobody does. I installed the Glacier MKII system using a Donaldson P551313 filter and upgraded the primary filter to a Baldwin BF-7977. Since I have an auxiliary tank gravity feeding into the OEM tank I installed a Donaldson P550848 water separator between the two to do a little initial scrubbing. Looking through my maintenance records I can't seem to locate when I added 1/2" fuel lines from Glacier but I know I did it when I added two Tee's in the fuel line that I located on the frame rail and just before the CP3. Admittedly, there is some overkill here, but I have a Hewitt dual pressure gauge located in that useless cubby hole on the dash that allows me to monitor the health of the lift pump and measure the Delta factor on the filters which tells me when to change them out. I think I've bullet-proofed the fuel system as much as I can. I did manage to catch some black algae before it became a problem and now periodically add a biocide. Good luck and travel safe!

 

[cerberusiam]

The CAT 1R filter is 3 um absolute based on the new testing specs, paired with a 5 um in the stock housing the WS and filtration is excellent. Only thing you could do better is another WS filter at the tank. A good LP will maintain adequate pressure thru 3 filters if you do a step down in filtration from the tank to the CP-3 and use high flow filters.

CP-3 is still fuel cooled and lubed, a lack of LP pressure will damage it eventually. Just not as fast as a VP-44 which had additional issues in addition to needing cooling and lube. CP-3 is designed to prioritize rail demand so whne you lose flow it drops and eventually eliminates cooling\lube to the pump. In addition low flow will cause the gear rotor pump to cavitate more and that beats the wear plates and the teeth off sending metal FOD right into the injectors. Extended low pressure at the CP-3 is detrimental to the WHOLE fuel system not just the IP.

Ideally, a gear rotor pull should have a head pressure about 30% of it intended output pressure. A stock CP-3 limits case pressure to 75 psi and can easily maintain 120 psi in modded applications. In practical application 5-7 psi at cruising and load along with good clean fuel and extra filtration is adequate for long life on the fuel system. Water is the worst contaminant to a HPCR system, by fuel carefully and avoid sumps are the top rules. One tank of excess water the filters cannot catch will trash the whole system form CP-3 to injectors.

Based on early testing the the Bosch HPCR system will excel once filtration is increased to 3 um at a minimum, and, at least 3 psi is maintained at the CP-3. Do not discount additive packages to maintain fuel system health, in fact an additive package is highly recommended. Some type of extra lubricant along with fuel conditioner\cleaner makes a difference. A good mix is Power Service and 2SO, easy to get and add.

ULSD fuel is highly hygroscopic, ANY extra care you can take to limit that will extend fuel system life.

 

[Killgore]

Matt, do a search on the forum for "Hewitt". Here's a back and forth between Wayne and I that is several years old:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/looking-at-adding-fuel-filter.258938/page-2#post-2515310

I found some pictures:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...el-pressure-gauge-in-the-worthless-cubby-hole.

The only downside that I have found through the years is that Hewitt is primarily a manufacturer of aircraft instrumentation and they use a different size tubing diameter than what's normally found on automotive instrumentation. I asked for several spare push-pull connectors and they happily provided them.

Something else, I didn't use isolators but rather ran the fuel lines into the cab and connected straight to the gauge. I know some have real reservations about doing something like this and I understand the reasoning, but as an old driver who remembers that in the old days we didn't have a world of options, I still sleep well at night.

Good Luck, Ed

 

[Wayne M.]

Hi Ed!
Oh yes that was a lively thread. And my gauge is still fine and I never looked in my brass for biofuel reaction. I forgot all about it!

 

[Mschuman88]

Thank you, great information.

The other items I am finding while researching are different filters for the stock system:

1. Baldwin PF7977 - 5 micron
2. AFE Pro Guard - 3 micron

Not sure if anyone uses those? It sounds like the addition of a secondary filter is the best option. Just am curious.

Thanks again for all the responses!

Matt, do a search on the forum for "Hewitt". Here's a back and forth between Wayne and I that is several years old:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/looking-at-adding-fuel-filter.258938/page-2#post-2515310

I found some pictures:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...el-pressure-gauge-in-the-worthless-cubby-hole.

The only downside that I have found through the years is that Hewitt is primarily a manufacturer of aircraft instrumentation and they use a different size tubing diameter than what's normally found on automotive instrumentation. I asked for several spare push-pull connectors and they happily provided them.

Something else, I didn't use isolators but rather ran the fuel lines into the cab and connected straight to the gauge. I know some have real reservations about doing something like this and I understand the reasoning, but as an old driver who remembers that in the old days we didn't have a world of options, I still sleep well at night.

Good Luck, Ed

 

[seafish]

You should definitely use the PF7977 in the stock canister and also add 2 mic filtration right before the CP3.
An addiotnal water separate/"trash filter" between the tank and the oem filter canister is a good ideas, but IMO optional if you cannot afford it.
FYI--Glacier Diesel Performance offers several accessory fuel filter mounting options for 3rd gen trucks and IMO the design, fit and finish, as well as customer service, of his kits and products are all top shelf available at reasonable prices.