Fuel Filter basics

WWV · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 1:01 pm **Posts:** 121

Could someone please lay out the reason(s) and how to's for fuel filter replacement for a "CRD for dummies" person like me?

Why the replacement? ( I'm sure it clogs up after time like any filter, but how severe and what are the likely items that clog the filter?)

What are the costs of replacement? DIY and if professionally done. Generally speaking of couse.

In general, what are the benefits of replacement? % mpg, easier on rest of equipment, etc

What are my options as to replacements? OEM? Fumato? others?

I'm asking this because I'd like to see all in one place. Seems their is a lot of information spread out in multiple posts.

Thanks as always in advance.

WWV
06 Silver Sport

22k miles and running great.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 11:06 am

The biggest problem is that any water seems to destroy the paper element in the filter and send it too the injectors (I think oldnavy found that the fuel was cleaner before the filter than after. The CAT replacement Fuel Filter/Adapter is a better filter...filters to a smaller micron than OEM and the material is a different material. I will say that it does not allow for the "water in fuel" sensor to be attached, but I would rather have a safer filter. They also have a CAT filter that is even longer than the CAT 1R-0750 that someone has fit to the CRD.

Another option might be a Racor Filter down the line, but the CAT is top notch.

As for cost, the initial first buy with the adapter and filter was ~$70.00 but the CAT filters are cheaper than the OEMs...about ~$12-$14 verses ~$28 I believe.

This thread has most of what you need:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=20134

WWV · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 1:01 pm **Posts:** 121

Ah, I love this forum. Post a question(or two :wink:

) and within 5 mins, I refresh my page and wafreakinla, I get my 1st intelligent response.

Anyways, keep 'em coming! Maybe a FAQ on the how to with pics?

WWV

skywarn · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 11:17 am

An OEM filter is running $45 and nobody will have them in stock which means they have to be ordered. Not so good if you need one right then... Also, just as stated above.. $15 for a CAT filter that workes even better.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 12:08 pm

WWV wrote:

Ah, I love this forum. Post a question(or two :wink:

) and within 5 mins, I refresh my page and wafreakinla, I get my 1st intelligent response.

Anyways, keep 'em coming! Maybe a FAQ on the how to with pics?

WWV

There are several here you just need to searh and if you order the kit Greg sends it with great pictures and instructions.

WWV · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 1:01 pm **Posts:** 121

I've done a couple of quick searches for this link to Greg and his kits and come up dry or worse yet, come up with 200 hits/links to various subjects, hence my original post.

Could someone repost link please?

WWV

Stan Wright · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 12:26 pm

Here is a link to my CAT fuel filter installation: http://liberty.eurekaboy.com/fuelfilter.htm

There's also a link to Greg there.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 1:22 pm

WWV wrote:

I've done a couple of quick searches for this link to Greg and his kits and come up dry or worse yet, come up with 200 hits/links to various subjects, hence my original post.

Could someone repost link please?

WWV

http://lubricationspecialist.com/front/ ... parentid=0

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 1:47 pm

It looks like no one has given a reason WHY to replace the filter. Any filter will get clogged over time. I've ran stock Bosch filters on many VW diesels and have never had a need to replace it "unscheduled". So I've been lucky :lol:

But all you need is one tank of bad fuel and you'll know your filter is clogged real fast :cry:

I've opened several old filters over the years and they've always been dirty with maybe just a drop or two of water in the bottom. I replaced all my VW diesel filters every 25k miles. Our CRD's have a more advanced injection system and should have a better filter and maybe the cat filter is the answere. But your dealer might "frown" on that idea s mine is staying stock for now

ccattie · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 1:55 pm

Mine was 28 bucks at the dealer.
-c

skywarn wrote:

An OEM filter is running $45 and nobody will have them in stock which means they have to be ordered. Not so good if you need one right then... Also, just as stated above.. $15 for a CAT filter that workes even better.

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 4:56 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

It looks like no one has given a reason WHY to replace the filter.

uhhh, I thought Darby's response pretty much says it...

Joe Romas wrote:

But your dealer might "frown" on that idea s mine is staying stock for now

Not that I disagree, but if a dealer seriously has a problem with replacing the OEM version with a 2 micron cat filter, I'd start looking for another dealer :shock:

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Anyone know if the new Wix filters have a plug for the fuel in water sensor?

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:01 am

Why replace? Dirt and water.

The small amount of fuel the Libby uses in relation to the size of the OEM or CAT filters will probably not choke up a filter with dirt soon. But a little water in the filter when cold weather hits can be problematic in short order.

I use a standard rule of thumb to replace the fuel filter when temps get down to freezing. A gummed up filter can really ruin your day. Keep a spare, no matter the brand, on hand. Dealers are fickle about stocking the filter. When you need one.... you need it NOW!

The CAT filter is a good mod to make if you choose to. Haven't done it to mine yet, but heading that direction.

kb61751 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:53 am

The WIX filter has the opening for the water sensor, just like the OEM filter.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:36 am

kb61751 wrote:

The WIX filter has the opening for the water sensor, just like the OEM filter.

And it has a celulose (paper) filter that will come apart when it come in contact with moisture (water) and it is only at best a 2 micron nominal filter and 10 micron absolute. The Cat filter is 2 micron absolute, and the particles in the 5 to 7 micron size is what does so much damage to injectors and pumps.

gsbrockman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:05 pm

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... uel+filter

The fuel filter should be changed periodically just for maintenance reasons, in a nutshell. An OEM filter can be purchased for less than $30 from your dealer......some instances, a little less.

Fuel filters are cheap and HPCR diesel fuel delivery components are expensive.

Greg

UFO · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:15 pm

oldnavy wrote:

kb61751 wrote:

The WIX filter has the opening for the water sensor, just like the OEM filter.

And it has a celulose (paper) filter that will come apart when it come in contact with moisture (water) and it is only at best a 2 micron nominal filter and 10 micron absolute. The Cat filter is 2 micron absolute, and the particles in the 5 to 7 micron size is what does so much damage to injectors and pumps.

What is the history on this, apparently tribal knowledge, regarding water destroying the filter media? The WIX filter is not capable of dealing with water as well? Is there another OEM type filter that works better?

robert46123 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:49 am

With the nightmare thread that one forum user is having because of the fuel filter conversion, I'd be reluctant to use anything other than the Mopar filter. If you're concerned about one not being in stock then buy it before you need it and keep it around. It's not a bad idea to keep filters on hand anyway. I've got a shelf full of oil/air and fuel filters for my vehicles.

If you want to play Russian Roulette with your Warantee then by all means go ahead. As much trouble as some have had with their CRDs I have no intention of doing anything to put an end to my 5 year/100,000 miles extended Chrysler Warantee.

.02

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:43 am

UFO wrote:

oldnavy wrote:

kb61751 wrote:

The WIX filter has the opening for the water sensor, just like the OEM filter.

And it has a celulose (paper) filter that will come apart when it come in contact with moisture (water) and it is only at best a 2 micron nominal filter and 10 micron absolute. The Cat filter is 2 micron absolute, and the particles in the 5 to 7 micron size is what does so much damage to injectors and pumps.

What is the history on this, apparently tribal knowledge, regarding water destroying the filter media? The WIX filter is not capable of dealing with water as well? Is there another OEM type filter that works better?

Old Navy did some fuel tests on fuel from his dealer before and after the OEM filter and found it was actually dirtier after the OEM filter. The assumption was the quality of the OEM filter material and the assumption that it was decomposing and throwing off pieces downside toward the pump. This was part of the CAT discussion as the CAT is made of a non-paper media that will not decompose.

UFO · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:18 am

robert46123 wrote:

With the nightmare thread that one forum user is having because of the fuel filter conversion, I'd be reluctant to use anything other than the Mopar filter. If you're concerned about one not being in stock then buy it before you need it and keep it around. It's not a bad idea to keep filters on hand anyway. I've got a shelf full of oil/air and fuel filters for my vehicles.

If you want to play Russian Roulette with your Warantee then by all means go ahead. As much trouble as some have had with their CRDs I have no intention of doing anything to put an end to my 5 year/100,000 miles extended Chrysler Warantee.

.02

I hear you on the filter conversion, but there shouldn't be an issue with using a different manufacturer on just the filter element right? I was just thinking I don't want a filter falling apart just because some water got in the fuel -- winter is coming. I'd rather have a functioning engine than a broken one that is warrantable. Of course I'm not going to go out of my way to make trouble on the warranty, so the Cat conversion is not happening for me.

Fuel Filter basics

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