WIF Sensor Pricing

[ABGordon]

With the winter almost here in the mid-atlantic I finally got up my gumption and decided to change the fuel filter. The first thing I found out was the previous owner had decided to streamline the procedure by not hooking up the electrical wire to the WIF sensor. After silently wishing him a very Merry Xmas I used my small oil filter to remove the fuel filter. About a quarter cup of fuel was spilled on the ground, and when I had it in front of me I could see the two electrical wires coming off the WIF sensor were very frayed at the point they connected to the sensor. In fact, the strands of the exposed wires were touching one another. At that point I decided to stop and price out replacement WIF sensors before attempting to repair the old unit. I called Cummins directly at the Glen Burnie, MD number (800-783-7061) and had my engine serial number handy since that seems to save them some aggravation. Probably also increases the likelihood of getting the correct part. Anyway, the price from Cummins for a new WIF sensor was $32. 30 plus shipping. Should come in at $40. 00 or $41. 00 total. Just for fun I checked the Dodge dealer and he wanted $41. 00 plus tax for the same part. I figure maybe this is their normal 30% markup? I should have the part in a couple of days, afterwhich I will spray the other end of the electrical connection with cleaner and put it back on the truck. My service manual does not say anything about bleeding the fuel system, it just says I need to fill the new filter with fuel before installing. Not sure yet which way I will go on that one. From now on I will price all engine parts at both Cummins and the dealer and NAPA (if not a dealer part) before ordering. See ya.

 

[bgilbert]

Last I saw Geno's had them for about $15. I could be wrong.....

Edit: ok prices went up, $18. 95. http://www.genosgarage.com/CoastalData/showdetl.cfm?&DID=30&Product_ID=364&CATID=1

 

[ABGordon]

Thanks Bill, I see it now, Geno's ID #: 3831852-S-WIF-DG at $18. 95. I'll be checking there from now on!

 

[DKasper]

I guess I lucked out -- my local Cummins dealer started giving them away with the purchase of a fuel filter because nobody ever bought them. . .

Something for FREE!

 

[dpuckett]

FOr future reference, there is a little drain on the bottom of the WIF sensor; pull up on it to drain the filter. Saves mess in removal. Too bad they dont make oil filters like that.



Daniel

 

[MMiller]

After silently wishing him a very Merry Xmas



:-laf :-laf I feel like that sometimes too!



I NEVER fill a fuel filter with fuel before installation, if there is a way to prime the fuel system. Some engines like my dad's detroit offers no way to pump fuel into the fuel system, so a person has to fill the filter to get the truck to start. I have been very successful gettin my truck to start with a dry filter after priming the system with the little lever on the fuel pump. Then I sometimes loosen the injector lines at the injector if the truck won't pop right off.



I have seen guys dump the fuel from the old filter into the new filter to get the truck to start. I for one have never understood that. Can't see the reason of dumping all the dirt the filter has been collecting into the new filter.



Michael

 

[bgilbert]

Yeah that wouldn't make much sense of dumping the old junk into the new filter. Also don't trust the little lever on the fuel pump. If you don't have diesel fuel around, you can fill it with diesel fuel additive, which in my experience seems to be layin around my garage more than diesel fuel. Or go to the fuel stop before changing the FF, and fill a one gallon container with fuel, you can dump whats left into the tank. No need to chance air in the system by starting with a dry filter. But thats JMO. I always prefill all filters if at all possible. Even those blinker fluid filters, which should be changed at least every 12k miles, right Carl???

 

[JLEONARD]

Yeah that wouldn't make much sense of dumping the old junk into the new filter

Yea... you wouldn't fill your new oil filter with old oil would ya?



I usually install the filter dry and prime it with the lift pump lever. I've done it both ways and it takes about the same time either way.

I guess I got used to it because of my boat. Being able to quickly prime the system is very important in case of a problem underway... I've been there a couple of times... . it's a skill you need to know and be quick at..... so I figure practising at a filter change is a good thing.

Jay

 

[ABGordon]

Thanks for all the help. I ended up filling the new filter with fuel and did not bother to prime the system. It started right up. There is a lot of stuff on this board about changing the filter. I can only add that I found it worth while crawling underneath the truck to gain visual access to the sealing surface. I was able to reach up and wipe it clean with a rag. Other than that the posts cover this procedure really well.

 

[tugboatphil]

I'm with Bill. I always have some fuel additive around and that's worked for me. I've never primed after changing, and never noticed a problem.



I don't know if that dealer price was a Northern Va markup, but I got one in Tidewater a couple years ago for about $20. Tysinger Dodge had a great diesel mechanic at the time. Can't remember his name, and don't know if he was a TDR or not. But he'd always take me somewhere away from the Service Mgr and tell me what was really going on with my Cummins, and where to take it if he thought they were charging too much.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Yup, I fill the filter nearly full before install too... I use a ziplock bag to remove and install the filters, that way any spillage goes mostly into the bag.

It sure seems to have worked well for me... not 'hard starting' or stuff.



pb... .