Just got my truck a couple of months ago and I'm going to change the fuel filter. Anything I should be aware of before I start? How do I keep air out of the system? It's a 2001.
Also I think my oil pan is leaking. Would it be hard to take it off at my next oil change and silicone it?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Changing the fuel filter is simple and easy, don't let the dealer rip you or any of your buds off by letting them do it for $70. After you replace the filter w/ a new one, make sure you bump the starter atleast 3 times (minimum) before trying to start the truck. Some folk like to pour diesel from a can into the canister to fill it before doing this step to help relieve some stress on the lp. I have never done it before, but to each is own.

Now, when the truck doesn't start after you try these steps, DON'T FREAK OUT!! Trust me, it will scare you, as it has done to all of us. Just keep on bumping and trying to start it. It will take some time but be patient.

Now when that doesn't work, but it should, you might have to crack an injector line or 2 until you see nothing but a solid flow of fuel coming out of em.

Tip: When you bump the starter and let the canister fill, crack open the fuel/H2O seperator and release some air that is trapped that way. It will get diesel all over the driveway, but ehhh, its just diesel. Well, thats what you can tell your better half!!

 

I am betting the oil is coming from the drain plug and not the pan. Mine and a few of my buddies have had this same problem. The oil gets blown all over under there and I fixed it by replacing the plug and gasket/washer.

 

Or the breather bottle on the front of the engine. Even with an 1/8th of an inch of oil in mine, it blows all over the bottom and makes it look like an oil pan or rear seal leak.

 

Curious how many miles are on it?

so far I'm getting really close to 50K and I have a little resdue from the breather bottle but no real leakage.

But if you plan on doing so steep climbs/descents your going to make a mess. Yes, mine spills a good amount out and then blows it down the engine. What a mess to clean up! Time to get out the high pressure washer!

Most people have pulled the bottle and extended the hose downward to keep the oil from caking on the radiator and the front of the engine.

 

It has 80000 on it. When I bought it, the whole bottom was oily so I cleaned it totally off with a steam cleaner now it's just showing at the rear so I don't think it's the bottle. Will try to reseal the pan and replace the plug and gasket.

 

Nobody mentioned this, but to pull the pan you have to raise the engine up about four inches, and that with the valve cover off and best to remove the last two rocker assemblies. Not an oil change deal.

 

Before you do anything try snuging up all the pan bolts. Mine was seaping some and that stopped it. As for the filter change, if you dont already know you MUST replace the o-ring on the canister lid everytime the lid is removed. I learned this the hard way. I say this because someone told you to crack open the canister, and what I hope they ment by that was to open the valve on the side of the housing.

 

I just had my 2000 in at 83,000 last week and 4 days from the 5 year in service date. The dealer replaced a crank seal and the timing cover seals under the Cummins warranty. I would say take it in and have them check it out.

 

HID and Katoom are right on.....

You must lift the engine to get the pan off (HID definitely knows how this works)....and check your bolts on the pan (10 mm socket I believe) a number of mine were pretty loose.

Also, take Mopar1973man's advice. Entend your breather tube and mount the bottle down on the frame or chuck it into the gabage.

 

Matter of fact... I did extend the breather tube over the back of the engine. It does drip from time to time but I don't have the mess any longer... Great part is it didn't freeze up this last winter storm... I most of done something right huh!

I did notice with my design it will still drip from resdue oil that is blown up into the tube or allow to get into it during heavy off roading... Not as bad as the factory bottle!