I am under the impression that there are other systems for fuel air separation other than FASS. If so could someone please explain to me the advantages/disadvantages of this system. I am new to this stuff seeing as how I just bought my truck but am up for suggestions. The reason for my post is because I do understand that my lift pump on the 99 24 valve is weak and has a history of going out. I also understand that these systems eliminate the lift pump set ups on the 24 valves so to me that would be a good thing. Thank you in advance for any informatiom.

 

The only other one I have heard of is the Air Dog but I have not actually seen one to comment. I know there are a few members here that have them though, hopefully they will chime in with some info for you

 

Hello
I have an Airdog, installed last July I believe. It's similar to the FASS, I liked the fact that it is a slightly smaller unit than the FASS and does not hang below the frame rails. Install was easy as the kit came with everything necessary for the install, fuel pressure remains constantly 16-18 PSI. Haven't had any issues yet, but of course only time will tell. I cannot really vouch for any advantages of removing entrained air from the system. I didn't really notice any differances personally, I simply installed it to avoid any potential issues with the lift pump.
Mishkaya

 

thanks for the info on that. Anyone else have any other comments on the Air Dog system?

 

mishkaya.

Do you have to use the airdog filters or can you use others??

 

Dr. Evil
I am not sure yet, I will need to replace the filters next month, so I was planning on calling Eckstam directly to find out. I do know the filters are stratapore, thus made by fleetguard, but don't know of any cross reference numbers yet. Either way, they are only $18 each, which isn't bad really. I will post when I find cross reference numbers.
Mishkaya

 

thanks....

 

I talked with Charles Ekstam just the other week gettting info on the Airdog. I did ask him about filter availability. Currently you can only get them from him or one of his dealers. He was unsure but hopeful that they would be an over the counter item at some point.

As far as other differences he noted that the AD has 2 stages of air/fuel seperation primary and secondary, instead of the Fass secondary stage only. He also noted that the AD motors were a different design in that the housings were single piece instead of the Fass which were several pieces. Another difference was that the Fass actually uses a hydraluic filter not a true fuel filter (what the difference is I have no idea I would have thought a 5 micron filter is a 5 micron filter but I am no filter expert). He also said that the AD unit is smaller than the Fass. Also that his was a complete kit even included zip ties, though I think the Fass is too. He mentioned the fuel up while running was not an issue with the AD but that it was for the Fass however I have heard that there is a fix/workaround for the Fass unit. There were some other differences but I dont have my notes with me at this time.

I also asked him about how many pump failures he has had so far. He said that only two have been returned and or required warranty work and they were due to faulty machining and that they have resolved that issue with that specific machine. He also mentioned that there were going to be some new models coming out in the future. One with an electrical fuel heater that was enclosed in an insulated box.

I apologize in advance if I misquoted what he told me going from memory here but I think the above is correct. I would suggest you give Charles a call and get the straight scoop from him as well as a Fass dealer.

 

BarryG - Think you got it right, from what I have seen in print elsewhere.
I don't believe the Hyd vs. the Fuel filter issue is a big deal. I use a 5 micron Baldwin filter on my FASS and it flows well at my HP. Their literature also lists a 3 micron filter as approved. To me, if it will flow ok, and is a 5 micron filter, I don't care if it's designed for filtering maple syrup!

The 2 stage entrained air remover may be a big plus, but you pay for it. Air Dog claims to have literature from CAT saying tests have shown 10% air entrained in ALL diesel fuel. I have no idea how important, or how much better filtration we would get from 2 stages vs. 1 stage? I actually don't understand how the pump removes entrained air...anyone know?

To me the FASS I is overkill on our trucks...the Air Dog is heavy overkill. If you have the money and want the very best...I would say Air Dog. If you want to eliminate the lift pump problem forever, for the smallest investment...I would say the baby FASS. The FASS I, may or may not be worth the extra money, over the baby FASS...time will tell. For most of us, there was no Baby FASS when we purchased.

RJ

 

Not to be a critic but if these air seperators save mileage and work well then why don't they have a pumpless version for the 12Vers? I've only came up with two answers, the first is it really doesn't do much air removal, the second is that since the P-7100 is oil lubricated that the air doesn't really hurt anything in the injection system.

I wouldn't be surprised, did you know california mandates that they need oxgenated fuel? Ie, take diesel and add more air to it that way there is less pollution per mile. I guess they think it is insignificant that the vehicle gets less mpg since there are less btu/gal.

 

Not sure I follow your last paragraph?

Oxygenated fuel refers to gasoline only and is Ethynol (alcohol) added to gas...a byproduct of which is oxygen and which does burn cleaner.

Are they talking about something like this in diesel fuel? Can't be.

RJ

 

I believe they oxgenate diesel as well, california fuel will normally yield less mileage.

 

Hydraulic filters are stronger. They handle more PSI before they burst. They cost a little more because of this, but being as the FASS uses "over the counter from many sources" Hydraulic filters they may still be cheaper than the AD custom filters, not sure. I like the tougher case hanging under my truck, also like the added filter capacity of the larger FASS filters. They do stick below the bed rail, some do not like this.
I doubt you will notice much difference in the air seperation deal unless testing in a lab possibly. Real world, who cares. I personally like dealing with the younger Ekstram myself, don't care for the Elder's bashing his son all the time.

The choice is yours, I don't think you lose either way.

 

This is what I will be using.
http://xj.cdevco.net/auto/fuelsystem...N-HIGHFLOW.JPG

#2 on that list. Cost is about $150. Combine that with a gravity fed fuel system (drill hole in tank and mount a bulkhead fitting - $10), a cheap Carter fuel pump ($90) mounted on the frame rail *AFTER* the filter and 3/8" Goodyear "fuel injection" hose ($50 or so) and some anodized fittings replacing the banjos ($40). Another $50 for some 12-14ga wire, a relay, some barbed 3/8" NPT fittings, etc. Total cost is around $400.

 

$40k bill? did ya sell him a new truck? its less than $17k for a dealer to install a new engine. where did the other $23k come from? confused about that a bit. explain if you can