Diesel Fuel filter, Fram or Mopar?

hgrimberg · **Joined:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:03 pm **Posts:** 363

I have to replace muy diesel fuel filter and the question I have is if I can buy a Fram filter or should I have to better use Mopar filters only, as I think they are the originals and recommended by Chrysler. Also, they are the ones the official dealer sells. Only thing is that the mopar cost $60 and the Fram $18 in my country.
Please I need some advice. Thank you.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:04 pm

Lots of opinions on filters mostly related to microns. I'm not fond of Fram oil filters, don't know about their fuel filters, I like WIX 33647 or NAPA equivalent but don't know if they are available to you.

Given the critical nature of keeping diesel delivered to the engine clean and the 25,000 mile recommended change interval on the fuel filter I wouldn't worry much about that price difference.

hgrimberg · **Joined:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:03 pm **Posts:** 363

Ok, so it is possible to use another one that is not the recommended Mopar? It wont harm my vehicle to use Fram?
I bought my KJ used and it came with a Bosch fuel filter. Maybe it was the original one? Other parts in my engine are Bosch since this was produced for Mercedes at that time.

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papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:33 pm

Translation of my previous reply.
1. there is no requirement to use Mopar filters although you are well advised to use ones of at least equal quality. Same applies to fluid.
2. I personally would not trust any fluid filters sold under the "F..m" name in my vehicle especially not to save all of $40 in 25,000 miles but that's just me. I.E. cost of filter is nothing compared to cost of engine, cooling system, transmission and such.

Bosch, Wix, Mopar are fine but I'd defer to other folks on your side of the pond as to what are good filters other than Mopar.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:32 pm

With all the news coming from other Diesel Forums regarding Common Rail Diesel Engines, the finer the filter the better. Ignoring the Detroit Bean Counter Engineering, the 2 micron filters across the board are showing the best results for injector life and reduced High Pressure Pump wear.
It may cost some money to convert to a better filter, but not having to cough up the $3K to $4K to fix a trashed injection system is cheap insurance. Also make sure the filter has a good water removal system.
If you have access top a machine shop, you can make an adapter so you can screw on a Racor 2 micron filter. The other option is to buy the complete Racor head and install it.
http://s362.photobucket.com/albums/oo69 ... ter%20kit/

As a rule, Fram is the bottom of the barrel that often does not even meet the Bean Counter Engineering specifications.

hgrimberg · **Joined:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:03 pm **Posts:** 363

Wow, now that I see the opinion about Frams, I am glad I followed papaindigo's recommendation to use Mopar. I just replaced it for a Mopar. I am using an OBD2 scanner with the Torque app on Android. Should I see a better Fuel pressure number now? I mean a lower one... Don't know which one is the good value. And BTW, any place where I can get good literature about what values are the right ones on our KJ after scanning it with the Torque app?
Thank you.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:11 am

Just an FYI :SOMBRERO:

The NAPA/WIX filters are made in China but then again what isn't :JEEPIN:

Lancer · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:22 pm

Mann do them as well.

Hendo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:31 pm

There's nothing between them so go for the Fram or a Mann filter.

racertracer · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:37 pm

I believe that there is a difference.

One is just fuel filter, the OEM is a fuel filter / water separator.

Can anyone cut a used one in half to compare?

hgrimberg · **Joined:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:03 pm **Posts:** 363

So, You are saying that the Mopar also works as a water separator?

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Lancer · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:20 pm

Having changed the filter last year, the Mann is identical to the Mopar filter that it replaced. I can't speak for the Fram, as we don't get them here (as far as I know).

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:05 pm

The stock 2005/06 Mopar 52129238AA and alternatives NAPA 3647 or WIX: 33647 fuel filters and another equivalent replacements are all combo fuel filters and water separaters with a WIF (water in fuel) sensor at the bottom. No one has sold a diesel engine since the 1979-85 GM diesel fiasco without a water separater either as part of the fuel filter or a separate unit.

The Mopar and equivalent replacements come with a plastic plug in the bottom that needs to be removed. To replace the fuel filter 1) unclip the WIF wiring on the bottom of the old filter; 2) remove the filter from the filter head (NOTE standard thread - some like to remove on the vehicle but I find it easier to undo the 2 bolts holding the filter head to the firewall bracket; loosen the hose clamps and push, don't try to pull, the hoses off; and take the fuel head to a bench vise to remove the filter); 3) remove the WIF from the old filter and install on new filter; 4) double check that both the outer large and inner small gaskets have been removed from the filter head; 5) lube both new filter gaskets with a small amount of diesel or oil and mount to filter head tightening per note on filter body; 6) remount filter head to firewall if removed; 7) prime and bleed new filter per priming video on Sir Sam's NOOB guide. DO NOT pour old diesel from your old filter into the new filter or add any other unfiltered diesel to that filter to speed up priming; it's no help and that delivers unfilter fuel straight to the CP3 and injectors.

NOTE I said stock Mopar or equivalent. The 2004 and earlier stock filter setup is IIRC different and some 2005/06 owners have installed (ex. 2 micron) after market filters that do also function as water separaters but may or may not have a WIF sensor.

For what it's worth I'm running the stock filter (did so for 125,000 miles on a Dodge Cummins with no fuel problems) but if I was to install a 2 micron filter I'd do so downstream (between) the existing filter and the CP3. That way any big stuff gets caught in the existing filter and the 2 micron one catches any leftover. Otherwise I'd be concerned about the 2 micron one getting plugged up early and often. Just me though.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

Neither, get a Racor fuel head and use a racor fuel filter. The Racor is what the diesel liberty originally came out with for export and what the beancounters eliminated when the CRD became available in the US. On average, my Racor is good for 40k miles provided I don't get a bad batch of fuel.

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:40 am

papaindigo wrote:

But if I was to install a 2 micron filter I'd do so downstream (between) the existing filter and the CP3. That way any big stuff gets caught in the existing filter and the 2 micron one catches any leftover. Otherwise I'd be concerned about the 2 micron one getting plugged up early and often. Just me though.

X2, this would be an excellent modification to the fuel filtration of our rig.

Drewd wrote:

Neither, get a Racor fuel head and use a racor fuel filter. The Racor is what the diesel liberty originally came out with for export and what the beancounters eliminated when the CRD became available in the US. On average, my Racor is good for 40k miles provided I don't get a bad batch of fuel.

Drewd, do you have a part number or a link to this modification?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:40 am

Racor fuel head install
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=98&t=36977

Probably easier for the European folks (although probably not cheaper)
They should be able to get 'stock' Jeep stuff for the 2.5L diesel.

I used to use a lot of Fram stuff - but that was before people on the Internet started cutting open filters and measuring what was inside......
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html
now they're a last resort if I can't get something good (and I'm will to change it out soon)

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2012 4:52 pm

NAPA gold is good too, may have the same # as WIX just lose the 1s digit.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:44 pm

When I had my 91 7.3, my mechanic swore by Baldwin. I use the B2 in the liberty.

lostFinn · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:22 am

I took few pictures of an old diesel filter that has been used about 2.5 years and 25000 km. It is a Mopar filter.

Link

Local dealer had left old center gasket in head too, so I found one reason to my air in fuel problems...

Diesel Fuel filter, Fram or Mopar?

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