hfhanson

Hello, I just got done changing the oil and filter in the truck, I put 6,000K on it after buying it from the first owner, he said he just got done changing the oil when I picked it up, when I pulled the dip stick the oil was nice and clean like new oil. The thing that bother me is when I changed the fuel filter in the stock canister the fuel filter was totally black like used oil would look, am I right in thinking that he was dumping the used oil into the fuel tank. On a 03 what kind of effect would that have on the injectors? Thank you for any comments.

rufushusky

My fuel filter used to get pretty dark when it was just the stocker so it maybe that.

Here is what mine used to look like:



Yeah I know I have used fuel filter pics...it was for a report during college. By the by those are purolators fuel filters like 18 microns DON"T USE!!!!

RAMRODD

I have never changed a fuel filter that wasn't black

jlipskoc

Its caused by a chemical reaction I believe to the media, I'd have to dig up exactly what they called it, its perfectly normal, every filter I have every changed in the last 15yrs has always been black.

When you see sludge, slime, algae, greenish, rust particles from station tanks, or sand/debris, thats when you need to get worried.

Overall, looks like a perfectly good filter. I change mine every 10k, cause I know the fuel place i use is very fresh, clean and moves alot, the tanks are fiberglass, underground also. My station also has filters on they pumps also.

jlipskoc

Good read.
http://www.diesel-fuels.com/bad-diesel-fuel.php

klx650a2

Yes, the filters turn black (some people call it "black filter syndrome"), mine do a bit and I've never run used oil in my motor. Its from running ULSD without fuel additives to keep things clean. I also heard that its much more common in the common rails due to the higher pressures we run.

jlipskoc

found the link:
http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdat...dieselfuel.htm

Q: How often should I change my diesel fuel filter(s)?
A: Always follow the equipment or engine manufacturer's recommendation on change intervals. However, frequency of filter replacement is often determined by the level of contaminants in the fuel. Combinations of high asphaltene concentration, water, sludge, bacterial growth, etc., in diesel fuel can prematurely plug a fuel filter and render a fuel/water separator ineffective. Filter change intervals should be based on knowledge of the fuel quality being filtered.

Q: What are asphaltenes?
A: Asphaltenes are tarry, organic particles that naturally occur in #2 diesel fuels. Asphaltene particles are generally thought to be in the one-half to 2 micron range and are harmless to the injection system, as they are soft and deformable. Concentrations of asphaltenes in diesel fuel vary widely and can increase through heat and fuel oxidation. As these tiny particles pass through the filter media they tend to stick to individual fibers. A build up of asphaltenes is the normal mechanism that plugs diesel fuel filters, not hard particles.

cdennyb

looks cleaner than mine usual do! LoL
I NEVER run anything except clean #2 and mine get changed every oil change.... also I have to run the crappy fuel from Kalifornia and always run Diesel Service in the silver jug to help keep my pump alive.
I wouldn't worry about a thing... if the filter looks like those above then you're taking care of it and it looks good.

hfhanson

Thank you all for your replys and help and for the two links that were posted, you all made me feel a hole lot better. rufushusky my old filter was the same color as the black on the baldwin filter box in the 2nd picture.

rufushusky

First time I changed my fuel filter it looked like that, Lord only know how old it was. The one I posted polly had 5k miles on it at most.

AH64ID

The first filter I changed was Black.. It was the OE filter with 3 years and 10K miles on it.. None of the ones I have changed since were black, but my OE filter is now my 2nd inline, so I am guessing the 1st filter is catching the black stuff..

My first filter (I have pics, and no excuse :-))

rufushusky

At leat I am not the only crazy one!

Raspy

A common cause for a black filter cartridge is algae. It is black and when there is a lot of it you'll find a black slimy goo on the filter.

You might run some algaecide and be sure to drain the water separator. See if there was any water in it. Algae thrives in diesel in the presence of water. Very common problem.

Spooler

If I remember correctly, that call that asphaltine (spelling??) that makes the filters black.

Bark

Good posts! Answered questions I had wondered about. Taking pictures of first fuel filter change must be more common than I thought. Must be a little like taking a picture of a baby’s first diaper. Errrrr, maybe not.