Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Strainer/Heater

[Israelson]

Realistically how often do you people clean these things? The Bible (Service Manual) says at every fuel filter change, my local dealer had no idea what I was talking about when I asked for the seal that the Bible recommends to replace when servicing. I brought my Bible with me to the parts counter and we eventually found what I needed ($30. 00 for a kit) and now it's on backorder. This event has led me to believe that nobody services these things not even my dealer. Do I really need to do this? I guess a lot depends on the quality of gas I'm using but I don't know the quality of my gas until I look for all the surprises inside right?

 

[Joe G.]

I hope you are talking about diesel instead of gas. Anyway, I clean mine about once a year. That's usually an exercise in removing it (spilling some diesel on my gargage floor), looking at it, and putting it back. So far, I have not had to buy a kit or any parts. It goes back together with no leaks. I use a long extension, u-joint, and a 17mm socket so I don't get a diesel bath. Just loosen it a bit and let it make a mess. Hopefully in a drain pan. With a 4X4 it splashes on the diff so not all of it gets in the pan. Then take it off.

 

[Cooker]

The "kit" cost about $8 at Cummins. If you would like I can dig up the PN for you.



As Joe mentioned, there is usually no need to replace any parts, so the kit typically is not necessary. A once a year inspection is good enough for most.

 

[illflem]

Running a fuel pressure gauge I don't think I'll check mine ever again unless the pressure drops. It's been at least 100k since mine was last checked. The first time I checked it there was a little bit of black plastic shavings, probably debris from the tank manufacturer, after that it wasn't worth the time. Of course it all depends on where you're filling up, one bad tank could plug the screen in minutes.



It all depends on whether your dealer has a tech who knows diesels if they'll check it. If they don't know diesels and the screen is plugged they'll try and tell you that the pump in your fuel tank is bad. Only gassers have a pump in the tank.

 

[wcjp]

As mentioned before, I bought mine for $8 at Cummins. My truck had 135,000 miles on it when I did mine. I seriously doubt the previous owner ever touched it. The rubber gasket was deteriating. Be sure the upper case is well tightened to spec. This was one of many points of entry for air into my fuel system.

 

[Israelson]

Cummins Parts?

Where can I get cummins parts, are they available online? A part number woud be great!

 

[Joe G.]

Erik,



If there is no Cummins dealer near you then drop by a big rig shop. They should have the parts or can get them for you. When I need something for my engine I go to Redwood Alliance Peterbilt here in Eureka. They have a lot of stuff in stock for these 5. 9 engines. If not they can get it quickly. That's where I buy Fleetguard filters.

 

[illflem]

Eric, find your closest Cummins dealer here http://www.cummins.com/service_locator/index2.cfm

Should be tons of them in So Cal.

You can order parts over the phone and have them shipped UPS with a credit card or account. Haven't heard of any online ordering probably because they don't want to make their parts books available to everyone.



Wish they would do it like John Deere, you just select your model and can click on the part in an exploded diagram, tell them how many you want and your order automatically goes to your dealer for pickup or shipment to you.

 

[wcjp]

Here ya go.



http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm



Replace both gaskets. It made a difference for me and required almost no extra time and money.

 

[Stixx]

I bypassed mine, then after I did it I heard its not a good idea to do that??

 

[illflem]

Stixx, if you're running winter blend fuel and/or additive you'll probably be ok unless it gets really cold. Watch out if it gets below -30°. Before the fuel gells solid the heater will melt any particles that are forming that will clog your filter. Heat from return fuel to the tank will warm all your fuel rather fast. Problem is if your filter clogs you might be stalled down the road in weather that's not fun to be out in. If it's colder and your fuel gells solid even the heater won't help because the fuel lines are gelled but because it won't start at least you'll most likely be at home.



It's the intermediate extreme cold that might get you in the worst trouble without the heater.

 

[Stixx]

Ya I am carefull when its cold.

Some wannabe CTD mech. told me they wont run without them and if they do run its hurting the motor.



That was 20k ago lol



I was just wanting to know about it.

Thanks illflem

 

[Bob4x4]

The Fleetguard part # for the strainer kit is 3845400. If you have a good dealer he will stock these. The D/C kit used to include the bowl also if My memory serves me right.



Bob

 

[rjones]

Fuel pressure

Just installed a guage and when I have it idling its 15-18lbs when I hold it at 2000rpm it will go up to 20lb then back down to 15-18 could this be a overflow valve issue??

 

[illflem]

Is this with a new filter? If it is it could be the overflow valve or a lift pump that's getting ready to go. With a new filter squeeze a rubber part of the return line with pliers and see if the pressure rises, if it does the OF valve is the problem, if it doesn't then it's the pump.

If it's an electric gauge sometimes the sender will fail and read wrong almost instantly if there isn't a snubber. Suggest you double check with a mechanical gauge.

 

[rjones]

illflem. No its not a new filter I'm changing that today,its a mechanical guage that I installed per your intructions less the needle valve, I use a snubber I got from work.....

 

[JPS]

Friend of mine has a 1st gen. CTD. Does that have anything like this fuel strainer? I think it's a 1991. jps

 

[rjones]

I put a new filter in and cleaned the screen..... alot of black stuff was coming out of the filter pressure is 15@idle 25@2000 then drops back to 18-20 is this normal or should I try stretching the overflow spring a little?

 

[illflem]

Your pressure is still low but I doubt it will hurt performance. You should be seeing 22-30 psi. Try the pinching off the return line trick I posted above.

 

[rjones]

Originally posted by illflem

Your pressure is still low but I doubt it will hurt performance. You should be seeing 22-30 psi. Try the pinching off the return line trick I posted above.

Thanks I'll do that tonight..... If the valve so happens to be bad are the one Piers carries any different than what you get from Cummins?I need to call Cummins anyways and order a new water sensor cause when I put the filter back on the harness got hung up in something and I pulled the wire out... .