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How tight on fuel filters?

Yahoo Message Number: 103057
I think we've got some moisture in the diesel fuel tank. We've been camping with first a 3/4 tank for 8 days, then just above 1/2 tank for the last 6 days. Temps have been from the low 30's to low 40's overnight, with temps into the 70's to low 80's during the day. Low humidity, so I thought I'd be OK. But suspect condensation from the heat swings(:!

The bowls on the Fuel Filter and HydroHot filters, seem a darker color then the normal amber/light yellow I'm used to seeing. Draining some out of both bowls, it seems to have a light greenish tint to it.

I spiked the 65 or so gallons in the tank now, with both Biobor (SP?) and Diesel Kleen (for water in tank), both of which I carry. I should note that I add a bit of Biobor, and Optilube (running Summer Blend now) into each tank. But, not as much Biobor as I probably should have.

Ran the generator and engine to get get fuel with the added stuff into the filters. Both ran fine, once I 'burped' the ISL a few times, as I got some air int the lines when draining from the bowl.

I'm going to run into town about 12-15 miles away, and top off the 130+ gallon tank, with fresh fuel. Hoping to dilute what is in the tank. Will add more Biobor and I picked up some Power Sevice Bio Kleen too, when topping off the tank.

I have extra fuel filters, for both the HydroHot and Engine. But, I've never changed these before. So some process questions: -Change engine fuel filters at the same time? Or one at a time? Primary first? -Assume I unscrew the water bowl, and screw it onto the new filter. Also I usually moisten the new filters gasket, before installing. (Like on oil changes to our car.) And, I know to look real carefully that the old filter did not leave it's gasket behind by accident.
-How tight do you put on the fuel filters? Snug up by hand, then 1/4, 1/2 or ? more tight? -Do 3-4 on/off cycles of 'Wait to Start' light. The start it up. Suspect it might stop once or twice, even after the priming?

Any other tips, and answers on how tight to tighten the filters would be appreciated.
(Same for the HydroHot too:)!)

TIA, and best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017 ISL370
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103058
I forgot to mention, that while I think I have picked up some moisture, and possible light algae, I'm not positive!

From advice on another forum, I decided to run the generator first before taking a chance and driving into town to top off the fuel tank.

The generator has ran normally, no stutters, for an hour.

So if I had algae starting up, and some moisture in the fuel tank, it has not impacted the generators fuel filter. Which I would assume is smaller, and more prone to clogging, the then big brothers for the Cummins ISL.

Is my thinking correct, that this gives me a pretty good comfort level that it is OK to drive it into the station to top off the tank?

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103070
Smitty, you may have read my thread on IRV2 some months ago about my 'check engine' light and a low fuel pressure code on my Silverleaf.  Cummins checked the obvious stuff and never found anything.  We suspected algae so I started using BioBor and changed filters.  I changed both filters the first time and later changed only the primary.  I've had no issues since but haven't driven the coach since May so hope it will be OK when we use it in a couple of weeks.

When I do my annual filter change (assuming I am doing it and not my Cummins shop), I shut off the gate valve and replace the primary filter first.  I always plug the center hole and pre fill the filters even though Cummins says I don't need to.  I then changed the secondary.  My primary does not have a fuel bowl but has the water in fuel sensor built into the filter.  It does have a drain cock but I've never seen water in the fuel when I have checked it.

Bottom line, I would change only the primary filter assuming it would have trapped any algae (if that is the concern).

When I last changed my primary, I did notice the small O ring that goes around the center threaded piece on the filter housing missing.  I put a new one on so I did wonder if my low fuel pressure intermittent issue may have been related to that missing O ring.

Gary

07 Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103071
Sorry, forgot to say the instruction for the Fleetguard filters I always use say to hand tighten 3/4 turn once the gasket makes contact with the housing.  I always put some oil on the rubber gasket.

That said, I always have to use my rubber filter strap wrench to get them off.

Gary

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103076
Thanks for the info!!!

I did drive into town and top off with another 65 gallons of fuel, and added the appropriate amount of Biobor and also some Power Service Bio Kleen. Also ran the generator for 90 minutes, no problems or stuttering.

I got a PM from a member of another board. He asked me if we were in the land of Biodiesel? And yes, the last 3 top off fuel tanks, usually at about 1/2 tank we top off, we had Biodiesel. Yesterdays top off in Jackson, was straight ULSD. His comment was that he had had some problems with Biodiesel the first time he encountered it, said it seemed to 'cleanse' his tank and fuel lines. He had to change his filter twice (his older coach only had one fuel filter), and, he noticed it was a slightly different color then ULSD.

My first experience with Biodiesel, as we traveled thru Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. I also still fill by me not keeping the tanks topped off for 12 days, in temps swings from low 30's to mid 80's, I probably also picked up some condensation in the tank.

For now, I'm only going to change the HydroHot fuel filter. We leave next Friday to head to Oregon, and I'll let the tank get down to 1/3 before topping off along the way. Then check the color of the fuel to see it has changed.

If I had the start of algae, I think the Biobor and Power Services Bio Kleen, nipped it in the bug. Will keep up on the bit heavier dosage for the next few tanks.

Best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103079
I tighten my filters as tight as I can get it by hand only. Using rubber gloves gives me a better grip. Last time I changed them out,  I initially just snuged it up and  ran the lift pump up to ten time-outs and broke loose the filters a little bit while pump is running to let air out.  Last time I did this,  the engine never quit like before.

Larry 03 Allure 30856

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103081
Regarding biodiesel it is interesting to read what is in my Onan generator manual.  The manual says if you use/plan to use B5-B20 blends (we use Flying J a lot on trips so get a lot of biodiesel), the fuels lines should be biofuel compatible and that there is a fuel/water separator installed in the fuel line before the generator.  I don't know what type of fuel lines CC used in our Allure and there is certainly no fuel/water separator on the generator.

I was discussing biodiesel with the service manager at my local Cummins Atlantic shop.  I told him on our trip to Oregon last summer, we bought a lot of fuel from the J which was labeled biodiesel, some I believe up to 20%.  He was not specific but said I might want to consider getting my fuel elsewhere.  Not sure that is realistic nowadays.

Gary
 

Re: How tight on fuel filters?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103082
Gary, I highly recommend FPPF Chemical Co. in Buffalo, NY and their additive products. I use with every fill up their Super Fuel Stabilizer. I've sent fuel to their chemical dept. for analysis. They really know their stuff and can explain what BioDiesel is doing to the truckers and worse us motorhomers who's rigs are standing still so much.

Super Fuel Stabilizer comes in 32 oz bottles, you use only 0.064 oz per gallon so when I fill up and take in 85 gallons that's 5.44 oz's of Stabilizer. I also use another one of their products with each fill up its name is LUBRICITY WITH FUEL POWER. Info on company below.
Thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st. Ave. #30898

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Products By Name The Official FPPF Chemical Company Website - A leading U.S. manufacturer of fuel additives, treatments and conditioners. For Every Fuel Problem, FPPF has a solution

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