Okay i know its been covered before but the ******* wanted $89.00 to change. I went to a Cummins place bought the filter for $15.00 went home unscrewed top of Fuel
filter pulled out old, wiped sensor off -slipped in new with O-ring screwed top back on cycled key a few times to fill fuel bowl and that was it. 5 minutes Max. and i was thinking it was a pain in the @$#...

 

It's a total rip to have it done for you. It does take a little longer, and requires getting under the vehicle if you drain (and you should) the bowl and clean the bottom of it of debris.


Please note "Do as I say, not as I do" is in effect as it was 69,000 miles before I totally drained mine. The bottom of the bowl was filthy with packed grit of some sort. Always drain!

 

How many people here actually drain the water from the fuel filter after each fill up?

 

Never. Just drain every time I replace the filter. My H20 sensor has never lit up.-Steve

 

I extended the fuel drain hose down to just below the front diff. Used a 1/2 in. double ended barb and 1/2 ID clear tubing. Works great, no mess and don't have to crawl under the truck to put the pan in place to catch the fuel.

 

has anyone ever drained into a clear container to see if there is actually water in the fuel, as my h20 sensor has never litup either. Also I do drain everytime I replace filter.

 

Drained mine the first couple of fill ups, but then I also washed it every other day too. When you give the dealer that 89 bucks you are paying for knowledge, they have the knowledge some guy with money doesn't. If you don't know how easy it is you gotta pay. Just changed out my second one tonite, took five minutes. Didn't clean the sensor, didn't drain the H2O, didn't wipe the bottom. Hope she lasts...17k on the clock

 

I do that every filter change.
Don't bother trying to drain any other time.

I just do it for peace of mind, just in case the WIF sensor or light is working right.

3 filter changes, every 10,000 miles, and I have yet to see a single drop of water.

Only time I've seen the WIF light is when all the other lights turn on before I start the truck.
Otherwise I'd never know it was even there.


phox

 

You should wipe the filter bowl out to get any crud that's setting on the bottom. But hey, if it's working for you!

 

I did the first few times I filled up, I used a glass container too, people looked at me kinda funny when I crawled under my truck at a fuel station (silly gassers!!LOL!! ) !!
I never saw any water so now I drain the fuel bowl when I change the filter.

I also change the fuel filter every oil change (every 5000 miles), it's never really looked dirty, just had kind of a grey tint to it).
I've never wiped out the inside, it's always looked clean & I've still never seen any water in my fuel (17,000 miles on the clock) but I always buy my fuel at the same place when I'm in town.
I will make it a point to wipe it out next fuel filter change.

I also add a Cummins approved injector cleaner every time I change the filter.
My tab at the cummins dealer every oil & filter change is $24.60
Fuel filter- $11.31
Oil Filter- $7.24
Injector cleaner- $3.97

I get my oil at Wal-Mart for $6.99 a gallon (Rotella-T)

The Cummins dealer has a sign that says,
"Dodge fuel filter change $40"
Not as bad as a Dodge dealer but I got the factory service manual so I could do this stuff myself.

 

My dad does his own maintenance and while he was at a dealer for something else the dealer told him that if he does his own he must have receipts for oil, oil filter, and fuel filter purchases if a warranty issue were ever to come up. This being after several oil changes and a couple of fuel filters. Just an FYI for you guys, you might want to check your favorite dealers policy on this.

 

I drained my filter of any possible water today, wedged a plastic milk jug under the truck with the drain hose stuck in the neck. Just diesel fuel came out, no water and no mess to clean up under the truck. I only have 2000 miles on truck so the first fuel filter change will come later.

 

Having the receipts is a must. This is not a dealer thing for warranty, but rather DC will want to see the proof that the truck has been maintained to their specifications if something blows up.

 

Well, like I noted above, it's worked for me for 69K. But this time when I pulled the filter, I took a flashlight and looked into the bowl and saw all of the crud in there. Then I realized that when you pull the filter, any loose dirt can wash down the element back into the bowl.