Need to change fuel filter

[Diesel Boy]

At what milage are you changing your fuel filter as opposed to the recommended change interval of 15k? What does the element look like, dirty, clean, water etc. I buy my fuel from one high volume source that has an inline filter on the pump. Never have any water to drain. Do I need to change filter at 15k?

 

[Ramboy]

I change mine every other oil change (10K miles). For me it is easier to remember if associated with oil changes. Filter always looks pretty clean, no water in bowl and rarely any sediment.

Phil

 

[lschultz]

I change mine at 10000 too. Never had any water or sediament. Sometimes(usually) filter is dark color.

 

[LSMITH]

The best way to know when to change the filter is by the pressure drop across the filter. I change mine at 4PSI drop across the filter at 3000 RPM and no load. I have a gauge that I put in the system pre and post filter for testing, then remove it for normal operation. I would strongly recommend that you get a gauge to test your fuel pressure, either installed full time or one to put in for testing purposes. If you test the pressure you will know the health of the lift pump for one, and two you will never pull the filter to find out that you cannot reprime the system because your lift pump has died. That has happened to a number of guys and is really frustrating. My gauge has told me to change the filter at anywhere from 9K miles to 21K miles, with most intervals at about 17K miles. The savings of not changing a good filter will pay for the gauge in the lifetime of the truck and you will not take out the injection pump because you did not know the lift pump died. Hope this helps.