I have a 2003 california Ram.

My mileage was not good when I bought the truck brand new but did get better not great though (16-17 mpg)

In the last 3000 miles my mileage has dropped off and I can not get over 15 mpg on the highway. I have 15k miles on the truck now and was wondering if I should change the fuel filter?

If recommended, what is the procedure to restart the truck so I don't have air blocks in the line. Some of the postings suggest bumping the starter 3-4 times. Is this correct and what is the actual full procedure?

Thanks,
Don

 

cant say ive ever had much trouble with filters and mileage myself. but to change it. when you go to put the ne one on obviously prefill it. If you feel better go ahead and bumper hte starter if thats how the 3rd gens start the fuel pump. But ive always just started the truck. it runs then sputters for a few seconds then goes off and does fine.

 

I've been changing mine every 10,000 miles. It's very easy to do. Just unscrew the cap and pull it out with the filter attached. Install the new filter and o-ring on the cap. Check for dirt in the canister and drain if necessary. I haven't drained mine yet. Once it's back on, turn the key on and off about 3 times. The truck should start right up. If not, just keep trying. It will start.

 

donwon - at that mileage you need to change it anyway. A lot of us changed our filters with 5-7k on the trucks and found them totally black and gunked up from the factory fill or sediment coming out of the tanks...not sure what, but they are pretty nasty typically.

Guys, there is no need to bump the starter on the truck. Once you've installed the new filter (don't forget to oil/replace the o-rings), to prime/refill the fuel system turn the key to the ON position and wait about 60 seconds. If you listen you can hear it clicking as it fills. Beware this isn't a quick thing. I personally wait until the clicking stops, turn the key off and then on again, and go through one more cycle of clicking, or until it stops. Should start right up. Bumping the starter does nothing.

This procedure is covered in your owner's manual I believe..

 

Just follow what the Owners Manual says. Don't listen to thaose guys telling you to Bump the starter. All you have to do is turn the key and wait for the little yellow indicator to go out, the way you normally do when starting the truck. If you drained the filter bowl then you may want to NOT start the truck and the repeat the normal starting procedure again, just like the book tells yo to do when you bleed the filter to get the water out

Key word READ the OWNERS Manual

 

If you don't drain the filter bowl, won't some unfiltered fuel get into the engine? I haven't done this to my truck yet, but it would seem logical to drain it first, then replace the filter.

 

I agree with Txhawg I think you should drain it before installing the new filter.

Supergewl is right, after installing the new filter. Turn on the key and you can hear the pump run for a few seconds.

 

After you drain and reinstall the filter, you can hear the pump run for a lot more than 'a few' seconds...it will click for quite a while. In my experience, I've tried to start it after about 20-30 seconds of clicking and the truck wouldn't start.. I recommend definitely a few cycles of priming before hitting the starter. HPCR injection doesn't like to run out of fuel.

 

Mine did the same thing, when I got it, MPG was about 17.5, went up to 18.5, then dropped back down in the 17's. Changed the fuel filter, it was dark gray but didn't look real dirty. Drained the housing & wiped it out. Cycle the key on & off 2-3 times, it may sputter & die once, but it'll run. Mileage didn't change.

 

I had the same thing happen to me...with mpgs starting to drop. I also changed the fuel filter (even though that makes no sense related to mpg) and nothing happened. Then I opened up the scotty3 and realized my air filter was completely caked and clogged. MPG went back up. Worth a look at the air filter!

 

Cut and pasted this from another forum. Thought it might help.


STANDARD PROCEDURE - FUEL SYSTEM
PRIMING
A certain amount of air becomes trapped in the
fuel system when fuel system components on the
supply and/or high-pressure side are serviced or
replaced. Fuel system priming is accomplished using
the electric fuel transfer (lift) pump.
Servicing or replacing fuel system components usually
will not require fuel system priming.
The fuel transfer (lift) pump is self-priming: When
the key is first turned on (without cranking engine),
the pump operates for approximately 2 seconds and
then shuts off. The pump will also operate for up to
25 seconds after the starter is quickly engaged, and
then disengaged without allowing the engine to start.
The pump shuts off immediately if the key is on and
the engine stops running.
(1) Turn key to CRANK position and quickly
release key to ON position before engine starts. This
will operate fuel transfer pump for approximately 25
seconds.
(2) If the engine does not start after 25 seconds,
turn key OFF. Repeat previous step until engine
starts.
(3) Fuel system priming is now completed.
(4) Attempt to start engine. If engine will not
start, proceed to following steps. When engine does
start, it may run erratically and be noisy for a
few minutes. This is a normal condition.
CAUTION: Do not engage the starter motor for more
than 30 seconds at a time. Allow two minutes
between cranking intervals.
(5) Perform previous fuel priming procedure steps
using fuel transfer pump. Be sure fuel is present at
fuel tank.
(6) Crank the engine for 30 seconds at a time to
allow fuel system to prime.

 

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice.

I first drained the water separator. Next, I removed the cap with a 1 1/8" socket. I removed the filter assembly from the canister. It was black!! Next, I put the new filter on the cap and inserted back into the canister.

Next, I turned the ignition to the on position for about 60 seconds. During that time you can hear the clicking noise. I turned off the ignition for about 60 seconds. I repeated this one more time. The next time I started the engine like normal.

It worked like a charm!! Again, thanks for all of the help!

 

There you go donwon, its all about waiting for the clicking Sounds like you did everything right. Did you change and oil the new o-rings?