I'm being a little lazy with this question. I probably should just dig out my owner's manual and start looking. But, I'm sure I'll receive good and accurate replies here on this forum.

Last Wednesday I took my truck into a large Dodge dealership for its fourth oil and filter change. It has 20,500 miles.

The maintenance manager spent about five minutes talking to me about the importance of changing the fuel filter.

Thanks to his words of wisdom I dug deeper into my pockets and found an extra $50 to have it done.

So, I have two questions. Was I right in getting the fuel filter changed? And, how often should the fuel filter be changed?

Thanks for any advise.

 

Yes, you did the right thing. Changing the fuel filter is cheap insurance to protect the injection components. The manual recommends changing this filter every 15K miles.

If you are handy, the fuel filter can be purchased from www.genosgarage.com for a little under 12 bucks. Installing it takes about 15 minutes max. If you do a search, there are plenty of threads explaining the procedure of changing the filter.

 

DodgeRamCO42,
He was correct about the importance of changing the fuel filter. He also should be ashamed of himself for charging $50 to change it! I buy my filters from Geno's at $12.95 each and change it myself every time I change my oil. It is an easy 5 minute job and is cheap insurance.

The Boss Hog
(37,000 trouble free miles . . . . . . )

 

Correct. And let your oil go longer. The $$$ you save from the oil changes (that you are wasting now) will more than pay for your fuel filters.

 

Yep, I let my fuel filters go 15K and the oil changes every 10K. The oil could probably go a little longer if I wanted. These engines are very easy on oil since there are 12 quarts of it!

 

Man 4 oil changes in 20k miles, I've got some land about 300 miles West of where I'm at that I'll sell you
I'v echanged mine 4 times but I have the 235 (Cali) engine. I'm suppose to do it every 3750. Starting now I won't change it at all unless the oil analysis comes back bad
I agree with everone else save the money, you can purchase fuel filters from Geno's, NAPA, and you local Cummins dealer for anywhere from $8-$15. The hardest part is finding somthing to stand on to get up into the engine bay
Don't even think about asking the dealer how much the filters cost, mine said $40 & I almost had a heart attack and walked out laughing after I told him that I could get them much cheaper from Cummins.

 

Thanks everybody.

Your comments were great and very helpful.

I'm very appreciative.

 

I just changed mine today at 10,600 miles and the old one was jet black!!!
cummins charged me 11.30 fuel filter and 6.45 for oil filter.

my .02

jamie

 

It is normal for the filter to turn black and it does not mean anything. FYI.
I've been changing mine as per the maintenance schedule but I'm going to start just changing the filter every 4000 miles and do the oil every other time unless the oil starts looking bad.....

 

A fellow I worked with who has a 2003 CTD, and is a mechanic, changes his fuel filter about every 4,000 and claims it makes a difference in his fuel milage. He also uses, I believe, fuel filters from CarQuest. Any opinions on CarQuest filters?

 

$50 BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And people wonder why I am so vocal in my distaste for the dealerships.

Shame on DC.

 

$50.00 is way too much for something that's easier than changing the oil!!!!
I've never done a diesel filter before and I was finished with tools away in 10 minutes flat.

I agree with mymaur...

shame on DC.

 

I judiciously change my oil and filter every 3000 miles, fuel filter every 7500 miles and air filter every 5000 miles. These costs are minimal when you're protecting a $10000 motor. Over the years, it's amazing what I've found in my "sealed" airbox.

The truck runs better, gets beter fuel mileage and most important, I sleep better.

 

"Up Here" my dealer charges $82 to change it. The service manager says they get their filters for $26. I buy mine for $16 at Cummins. It takes 10 minutes to change it! (I talked to a guy who works at Cummins today who said there are dealers charging over $100 to change the fuel filter!!)

 

Okay Guys, let me ask a related question. Actually, I'm looking for opinions.

I'm "mechanically challenged." Sorry to admit it, but that's the case.

Never owned a diesel before, but back in the old days with my gassers, I could change tires, change the oil, set gaps and replace spark plugs -- and, believe me, that was about it. On some of our older Toyotas, changing the fuel filters was pretty easy -- just a couple clips to release and then put back.

Other than those simple things I was lost, and remain lost today.

Now, the question.

Do you think I can replace my own fuel filter? If I attempt it, how should I go about it? Look in the manual, and go from there? Find somebody knowledgable, and get help, at least the first time.

In summary, can I do it, do you think? Or, should I continue to pay to have it done.

Thanks for your opinions and advise.