Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Fuel Filter Changing 101 (Read 6529 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Fuel Filter Changing 101

Yahoo Message Number: 71683
Looking for some opinions on fuel filter changing. Simply put, take off the old filter, fill the new filter with fuel and put it back on. But, a Cummins tech told me that they think it is much safer to put the filter on dry and then prime it via the rubber pump primer on the edge of some filters or by turning the key on and off multiple times thus priming it that way. There are probably multiple ways of priming it, but he said that pre filling it with fuel could be dangerous in that if there was trash in the fuel, it could go directly to an injector and possibly cause a big time problem. I had never heard this. Mikee, Ken, what say you. Is pre filling the filter a no no? Other folks have an opinion?

R. D. Vanderslice (King of Bad Fuel) Sob

P.S. Someone said on this forum that they cut a Fleetguard Filter open and found a very tiny filter element in a big container. I saw several "opened filters" today and they all were filled to capacity with an impressive looking element.

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71685
Have changed my Cummins filters for ten years at once-a-year intervals. I have never pre-filled the filters with fuel. Always cycled the ignition key to the on position 4-5 times. Leave the key on for about a minute then turn off, wait 30 seconds and turn on again. After that, start it up. It may cough a little, but don't be alarmed.
This method is what the book says and the Cummins service department told me the same.

Rob

2002 Intrigue #11480

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71687
Rob, that is exactly the way I have done it. I have noticed that the oil change services like to pre fill the filter. I guess they don't want to take the time to do it dry and then prime?

R. D. Vanderslice
Sob

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71688
I just had the coach serviced at Speedco and they did not pre fill the filters. It took 3 cycles of the ignition to fill the filters.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71689
RD..... this is the some do and some don't again. In our service business we always prefillled fuel filters. As for the dirty fuel getting into the filter you could argue dirt getting into a dry

filter unknowingly. What ever the case care is taken in handling the change. I also use an air blower to lightly pass over the filter before loading it with fuel.

I see your sign off on king of bad fuel and I know what your talking about with the bad (real bad) fuel fill you had with towing also a nightmare.
AL

00 affinity

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71690
IF the system has a priming pump that actual works, it would always be my first choice. Put diesel on the rubber seal, install empty filter and prime with pump. BUT not all systems have a primer pump that will actual work, then fill the filter before install and start engine to finish.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71691
That's a good point Leonard a primer pump that works. Why screw around with something you don't know works or not.

AL

00 affinity

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71692
I had gotten some bad fuel a couple of months ago and SilverLeaf displayed it as a fault and I got a service engine light on the dash. I always carry a spare but I had no way to fill the new filter before putting it on. I had to wait until I got home and access to diesel. You can run a battery down and/or create a wicked vapor lock by not filling the filter first. Rod5206, SOB, former Allure 470, SN#31463

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71693
If the fill is not filtered, you just bypassed the filter with the fuel. YES it could be a problem. Either filter the fuel you use to fill the filter or use the key to fill it.

Mikee

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71699
Rod is correct: on a CAT you can pump or crank all you want, will not work. New filter must be filled woth fuel by hand, and speaking from experience, same applies if you run out of fuel. Carry a filter wrench.

Rich 2002 magna

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71709
Save your Prime Pump! I have worked on Diesel engines since 1973 now I show my age! At Cat Using a Clean and again Clean bucket of Fuel, Slowly pour the fuel in the filter! Nuff said! Ken Retired Cat Factory Trained Service tech! You would not want to pay me for hand priming you filter. BTW The service Man. is correct but fella's this is the real world! Ken 99 Allure 30356 Yes it has a Cummins!

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71712
In my real Cummins world I follow the manufacturer's recommendation. Having changed my ISL 370 fuel filters many times over the last 7 years I can report that fuel priming with the Cummins lift pump is absolutely fool proof. I can think of no good reason to not follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71716
Hi all

I am sure there is a bit conflicting info on this subject. The older Cummins engines (don't know when they changed) pre ISC,X,L and so on had a cam driven pump that also could thumb operated to bleed the fuel system. Using this pump with your thumb to fill the filter would have taken a lot of time. A big and strong thumb. Hence pre filling filter was the best option.
The new type of lift pump makes pre filling unnecessary .
Mar Swenson

2001 Intrigue 11314

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71724
Only the engines with electric fuel pumps will be able to prime the filter. Prior to the electric fuel pumps, they were mechanical pumps , and of course you would have to turn the engine over for a long while to get the filter full, and therefore not recommended. I was told that if you did that on the mechanical fuel pump engines , there would be enough suction to destroy the filter innards. I would guess that the 04 or 05 engines ( Cat or Cummins ) and earlier were mechanical fuel pumps. All ISL engines were electric fuel pumps. Can't vouch for Cat or other sizes of Cummins

Ron Baran 09 magna 7025

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71725
With one exception! The filters are after the lift pump and are therefore under positive pressure, cant suck the filter innards out. It is the same with the electric pumps, filters also under positive pressure from the pump. Also in older engines too much air in the filter will require that the air be bleed from the system by opening one of the low pressure fittings and the use of the thumb on the mechanical pump. If enough air gets into the Injector pump the injectors the will have to be purged of air. (bleeding the injectors) that is done by loosing each injector fitting while cranking and or with the engine running. Been there and done that on a 93 Dynasty with a 8.3 Cummins. My 2001 Cummins ISC has an electric lift pump.

Marv Intrigue #11314

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71732
If you want to manually prime your fuel filters, it is safer to buy the cheapest ATF you can find. A fuel container can have contamination in it. A sealed bottle of ATF is highly likely to be completely clean. Also handy if you have to change filters on the road.
I got this tip from a Cummins seminar. Works for me and the engine can't tell ATF from fuel. No smoke.

George Harper
04 Allure
31093

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71733
Very interesting. George, have you tried this? Could be a great on the road way to change filters. I'm a bit uneasy with the ATF but if it does not smoke then probably good.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71734
Well, if Cummins says using ATF is ok, then I guess I'll try it? Thanks George!

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71739
Thanks to everyone on the fuel filter changing info. Appears that it is a Ford/Chevy thing as to whether to pre prime the filter or not. The Cummins Techs warning of pre filling the filter was that possible trashy fuel could go direct to an injector and cause costly problems. That's why he didn't like the idea, but, George brings up a solution that I have never heard of, using a new bottle of transmission fluid. Now the plot thickens. Anyone want to opine on this possibility. What say you. (Sorry, to much FOX TV)

R. D. Vanderslice
SOB

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71740
Using a new bottle of transmission fluid is exactly what a tech from Buddy Gregg did when he changed out a stopped up fuel filter on my 350 Cummins three years ago. It re-started back up with no hiccups.
Walt

2004 Inspire

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71742
We could not find a bottle of either dextron or mercon so we used Ha Ha.

Walt

2004 Inspire

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71743

Another thought to eliminate the possible use of trashy fuel in priming the filter is to filter the fuel going into the filter by using a double thickness of your wife's nylon hose. I do this all the time to filter spray lacquer before placing the lacquer in the spray gun.
Fritz 98 allure 30223

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71744
Does your wife ever complain the next time she puts them on?

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Fuel Filter Changing 101

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71747
R D keep in mind some techs have more ideas then practical experience. Some of the BS they can come up with is well...remarkable. Had they spend more time reading service manuals, night schools, and doing better quality work with more care rather then sloppy work.

Never had heard about filling a filter with trans fluid. Do recall some truckers using Ford ATF. I qt in each saddle tank with a fill up.
Best regards,
AL

00 affinity