Just changed my Fuel Filter for the first time.<br>12,500 miles on the truck.<br>(I know, was planning on doing it at 10k, but time got away from me, along with the weather)<br><br>Fuel filter was dark, dark gray, almost black. <br>New one was white as the driven snow.<br>(fleetguard, bought directly from Cummins)<br>Fuel drained from the cannister (into a 20oz diet coke bottle, perfect fit on top of front diff) was clear (light greenish yellow in color) and water free.<br><br>Are the original filters different, and black?<br>Or did I wait to long?<br><br>I have gone through 1 bottle (quart) of Marvel Mystery Oil, finished it about 2k ago and haven't used it since, would this have discolored the filter. ???<br><br>Almost ended in panic mode, truck did not want to start after the change. :'(<br>Bumped the starter 3 times, no start.<br>Bumped the starter 3 more times, cranked for just under a minute, no start.<br>Was almost heading to computer to ask how to crack injector lines but decided to try one more time.<br>Cranked just under a minute, massaging the go pedal slightly, and it finally started, almost died, then ran rough a bit, then purred like the kitten it is.<br><br>Saved myself around 75 bucks doing it myself I bet.<br><br><br>thanx<br>phox

 

Diesel always turns them black, I never drain the bowl, never anything in there as long as you buy good fuel. Bump the starter once and it will start right up. I would always use some kind of fuel additive (lube) cause todays diesel is junk.<br>Too clean.<br> Danny

 

Agree with Danlit, 'cept I dump the fuel canister when changing filters......kinda **** I know....... :

 

Thanx.<br>Worried for nothing I guess.<br><br>When I first got the thruck I tried to drain the WIF at every fillup, just like the manual says, but I've never been able to get anything to come out till now.<br>I guess the vaccum was too much, without loosening the cap.<br><br>Gonna try Power Service or maybe Howes next time.<br><br>phox<br><br>

 

[quote author=Shovelhead link=board=4;threadid=9195;start=0#88322 date=1041709366]<br>Agree with Danlit, 'cept I dump the fuel canister when changing filters......kinda **** I know....... :<br>[/quote]<br><br>I dumped it this time, mainly so I could make sure the WIF sensors weren't dirty.<br>Maybe I'll to the non dump route next time.<br><br>phox

 

Since I quit buying fuel from the place that keeps too much fuel in their water tanks, I haven't had a problem going a year between filter changes. They are always dark brown to black but there is very very little to no sludge and no water. You want them to look dirty unless your fuel is super clean and never discolors the paper. The dark you see is the minute crud (not SmurF) that the filter has caught and shows it is doing it's job. I always drain the bowl and check the contacts on the WIF sensor. Prime it right and it will fire right back up.

 

[quote author=danlit link=board=4;threadid=9195;start=0#88321 date=1041709199]<br>Diesel always turns them black, Danny<br>[/quote] <br><br><br> I have changed my filter 4 times and it has never been black, light grey only. <br> Phox where are you buying fuel?

 

danlit brings up a question that I have. When you lift the filter assembly out of the cannister, you are mixing the filtered with the unfiltered fuel. Additionally, isn't there a risk of washing some dirt off the filter as it's lifted up? Shovelhead, I don't think you're being **** at all. I think it makes good sense to drain the bowl. Will the WIF drain valve accomplish that, or is it a manual drain?<br><br>-Tom-

 

It is always dark colored and with proper priming it will start right up.<br>I always empty the fuel canister. During several changes I noticed tiny metal shavings, Hmm... I thought wonder, where that is comming from??? I was also pondering a drop in LP pressure. Yep, I changed my LP, no more metal ;D ;D.<br>

 

Commatoze, The '99 has a little different configuration than the 2000+ models.
My canister drops out from the bottom of the bracket with the filter in it, so cleaning it out just involves dumping the fuel into the drain pan and wiping out the canister.

 

I change my filter about every 12k or so. Filters are cheap enough(as long as you stay away from the dealer!) Mine always come out dark grey. I try to buy my fuel at places I see alot of others buying from. Never had any water issues. I also add Power service and a splash of Marvel's from time to time ;D

 

[quote author=CHUCK3 link=board=4;threadid=9195;start=0#88352 date=1041718420]
[quote author=danlit link=board=4;threadid=9195;start=0#88321 date=1041709199]
Diesel always turns them black, Danny
[/quote]


I have changed my filter 4 times and it has never been black, light grey only.
Phox where are you buying fuel?
[/quote]

Routine fillups are either Chevron 8000 S and 700 E or
Phillips 7800 S 700 E.

Traveling fillups have always been at Chevron as they seem to be right off the freeway everywhere, and therefore would seem to have more business.

I always eyeball what comes out of the nozzle, and have never seen it too dark.
What came out of the cannister today was lemonade colored with a hint of green.

I'm thinking the Marvel Mystery Oil might have contributed to it, as it is pretty dark out of the bottle.

Also gonna ask Dealer how much they'd charge to see exactly what I saved.

phox

 

Got a buddy that has 35K miles on his 2000 and has never changed his fuel filter I told him he might want to change it and then change it every 15K miles in the future.

 

Hello<br><br> Joel <br>That was a good one. ;D <br><br> I am going to throw a different twist on things here. I work with Marine engines and we use additives to prevent &quot;stuff&quot; from growing in our fuel tanks. It looks like a black sludge kinda stuff if untreated. It is a algee of some sort that grows in the water in the fuel tank. I know this does not sound possible, but I have seen it so bad that we had to cut open the fuel tank and clean it out with a steam cleaner. <br><br>We bought a 99 CTD earler this year and when I was going through it changing all the fluids and filters, when I changed the fuel filter it was a black color. We use Power Service fuel additives about 8 onuces to every fill up. This last time I changed the filter it was a light gray color. <br><br>We buy our fuel from one of two places while at home here in eastern N C but while out on the road we only buy fuel from truck stops where they move allot of fuel and it is fresh. We stay away from the corner gas station kinda places for our diesel.<br><br>Some folks use additives and others don't. I do and it is my truck, my money and my PIECE OF MIND. With that said go for what you feel is best. <br><br>See Ya<br>Chris

 

My filters always look clean when changed, but after using the injector cleaner in the last tank it started to lose power on top end pulling so changed it. The filter was really black, so the cleaner busted some stuff up in the tank or system. Probably a good sign. I have noticed that with the trailer empty it will sound and pull good, about a 7000 pound trailer, but load it and there is a difference pulling with a dirty filter. I normally change them at 12,000 to 14,000 and at times I don't make the 14,000 before the high rpm power falls off. Easy to tell because I run the same hills so much that I always know when the power is off. A dirty filter costs me 5 to 10 mph on some of the pulls. Without seeing this I would be guessing. I also notice that the filters get dirty faster when driving casual rather than two tanks a day when I am running. So if I were not commercial, I would change them at below 10,000 miles. Think about it, if the lift pump will cause the injector pump to go out the filter will do the same.