i have had my truck for 9 months and am about to change the fuel filter. it was changed a few months before i bought it. i would like a record for myself and thought a year interval would be a good time to do it. my question is what improvements should i expect if any and how much does a fuel filter cost? also, what should i expect to pay if i have it installed since i just don't have the time to do it? thanks in advance.

 

You don't have a spare 10 minutes? 8-9 dollars from Cummins, when I get mine. I think the dealer wants 30 bucks to change it.

Unplug the wire from the bottom, spin the old one off. Make sure the little rubber o-ring comes off with it. Spin off the wire connector on the bottom and put this on the new filter. Fill the new filter with clean fuel, or I just pour in some fuel additive. Place the new 0-ring over the little hole on the filter, screw it on and plug it in. Mine doesn't even sputter when I start it back up, doing it this way.

Don

 

Go to most any heavy truck repair/parts store and get a Donladson or a Fleetguard for your dodge. It'll cost you $8-$15 for the filter and about 10 min of time to install but most places have a min charge for work like this, I would expect $25-$35 charge for this. Don't go and buy a Fram or somthing cheap like that stick with Cummins approved filters like the two above.

Paws

 

I agree. Use Fleetguard for a Fuel filter. I also use a oil filter wrench that is a web type that uses a 1/2" drive to loosen or tighten. That seems to work the best as you can slide it up and around the wires and then just tighten it to take it off. It works backwards on the socket driver. Don't tighten too much after you fill it with fuel. Make sure the o-rings fit good and you should be set. Honestly, 10 minutes tops and you are done. Easy as pie. Geno's garage is a great place to purchase filters.

 

Once a year is fine unless you really pile on the miles. I wouldn't want to run one more than 15k. If your filter is plugged you will get more power. If it's not clogged up, you will notice nothing.

 

a great big thanks to everyone who responded! you guys are great. its as if you're just waiting for someone to ask a question so all of your know-how will just spill out onto the site! thanks so much!
as for 10 minutes? i'm just getting home now which is 10:50 pm California time and I started at 7:15am this morning. I work like this 6 days a week! I don't have 10 minutes to chew on my fingernails let alone to change a filter

 

Stay away from the dealer on this! Had to get a new APPS put in under warranty, they ran through the truck a bit and suggested a fuel filter change, heck it was Dec in WI ( = too cold to be screwing around outside if not needed) and probably needed it...so i said sure go for it.... ended up costing me $89 for the stupid filter and the dude to put it in. Last time I'll make that mistake!