Fuel Filter and Hard Starting

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:09 pm

Just wanted to relate my experience.

Over the last 2 tanks my CRD has been a bit hard starting and getting progressively worse, temperature has been hovering around zero so I attributed part of the problem to outside temp. It always started fine once it was warmed up. CRD runs fine, just starts hard, fuel didn't seem to be the first candidate on the list.
Last week I plugged in the block heater every night, Never had to do that before, and it didn't really help the hard starting problem.
Starting Friday, every time I started it was hard to start even when it was already warmed up to operating temperatures.

Tried to bleed the fuel head a couple of times last week, something I haven't had to do in a long time but found no significant air.
I checked the heater connector to see if it was wet, I kept it unplugged all summer, but plugged it back in when it got cold outside. No wetness.
I did put one tank of diesel from an untried source last weekend, but I've filled up at my regular source since then.
I was holding off changing my CAT fuel filter till I hit 20k on it. I have about 19k. So I tried that next

Sure enough, new filter took care of the issue. Starts like a dream once again.

I was really surprised at how quickly this became an issue. Good reason to keep a filter with you.

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:29 pm

Might be a good idea to cut that cannister open, see how the element looks inside - could be 20kmi is way too long for service in your area, could be the fuel from that one fillup.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:18 pm

19K miles to 20K miles on the oem fuel filter.....
AND a little hard starting.
Now isn't that something......

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:00 pm

truckbouy2 wrote:

19K miles to 20K miles on the oem fuel filter.....
AND a little hard starting.
Now isn't that something......

No, he said he had the Cat 2 micron installed on the factory head.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:04 pm

Ok.....
19k miles to 20k miles on the oem OR cat fuel filter....
AND a little hard starting.
Now isn't that something.....

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:06 pm

gmctd wrote:

Might be a good idea to cut that cannister open, see how the element looks inside - could be 20kmi is way too long for service in your area, could be the fuel from that one fillup.

Exactly. All it takes is one bad tank of fuel. Been there, done that, 3 times now since I've bought this beast.

That's why I now carry a glass jar with me and ALWAYS pull a sample when I fill up, and take two spare filters instead of just one with me on long trips.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:56 pm

On most caterpillar applications, the filter is only on the machine for 250 machine hours or 500 in some cases..The also run a water fuel separator as a primary filter and run the reg filter as a secondary...now in your cases, i think that it is not unreasonable to change your filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles.... so in terms of hours, you guys are changing filters one every 6 months to a year while machines are having theirs changed every month to 3 months.... Just my 2 cents as a Caterpillar machanic

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:04 pm

Traditionally, Cats are out playin' in the sandbox or the dirtyard - slightly different conditons there than on-road, even at 2hrs\day\365, if you can ascertain my meaning - still, 20kmi goes way beyond any oem recommendations for filter maintenance and service, eh................

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:21 pm

truckbouy2 wrote:

19K miles to 20K miles on the oem fuel filter.....
AND a little hard starting.
Now isn't that something......

Well both schedule A and B recommend changing the filter every 25k. I was being conservative.

How often do you change your filter???

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:23 pm

DCJ actually recs fuel filter service interval of 25kmi? What about air and oil - I don't have access to the OM, or the KJ either, for that matter - seems rather extensive for such fragile things as the CP3 and injectors.

I shop only at hi-volume Shamrock\Valero stations, and Shell or Fina when out of town, always first running a sample of fuel with the filler nozzle out where I can see the fuel - the filter element on both my trucks fits into an aluminum cannister with a screw-on top, and so may be visually inspected at each service interval - at less than 10kmi\year, the normally light beige element is usually black within a year, a best indicator for replacement, even with no symptomatic issues.

No intention of putting you on the spot, but be interesting to see how your filter appears, at nearly 20kmi, knowwhuttimean?

kjcrd117 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:45 pm

I just ran my OEM filter a bit over 51,000 miles with no issues. I just installed the Racor setup yesterday though, and plan to swap out the filters every 10,000 miles or so. Did I live dangerously running the original filter 51,000 miles? Probably, but it all ran fine. And yeah, the change interval on schedule B is 25,000 miles, so I went over double the recommended interval. In any case, I plan on keeping up with things better this time, especially since I doubt the 2 micron filter I have on now will be as forgiving as the OEM filter was.

panda-52 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:07 pm

gmctd wrote:

DCJ actually recs fuel filter service interval of 25kmi? What about air and oil - I don't have access to the OM, or the KJ either, for that matter - seems rather extensive for such fragile things as the CP3 and injectors.

I shop only at hi-volume Shamrock\Valero stations, and Shell or Fina when out of town, always first running a sample of fuel with the filler nozzle out where I can see the fuel - the filter element on both my trucks fits into an aluminum cannister with a screw-on top, and so may be visually inspected at each service interval - at less than 10kmi\year, the normally light beige element is usually black within a year, a best indicator for replacement, even with no symptomatic issues.

No intention of putting you on the spot, but be interesting to see how your filter appears, at nearly 20kmi, knowwhuttimean?

I'm curious, what exactly do you look for when you take a fuel sample?

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:13 pm

gmctd wrote:

DCJ actually recs fuel filter service interval of 25kmi? What about air and oil - I don't have access to the OM, or the KJ either, for that matter - seems rather extensive for such fragile things as the CP3 and injectors.

I shop only at hi-volume Shamrock\Valero stations, and Shell or Fina when out of town, always first running a sample of fuel with the filler nozzle out where I can see the fuel - the filter element on both my trucks fits into an aluminum cannister with a screw-on top, and so may be visually inspected at each service interval - at less than 10kmi\year, the normally light beige element is usually black within a year, a best indicator for replacement, even with no symptomatic issues.

No intention of putting you on the spot, but be interesting to see how your filter appears, at nearly 20kmi, knowwhuttimean?

Yup, neither the OEM or the CAT made it 25k in my KJ, both started exhibiting problems after filling up out of town at places of unknown quality. I'll cut it apart and snap some pictures this week, no time today, doing my taxes:x .

Schedule B has:
Oil & filter every 6250
Air Filter inspect every 6250, replace every 12500.
Differentials are supposed to be drained and refilled every 12500.
Tranny, tcase and engine coolant every 100,000.

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:19 pm

Be interesting to see the element in your 50kmi filter, also, kjcrd117................

Panda, you should look for cloudy or discolored fuel, particles,etc, anything not clear greenish-yellow - aerated fuel is cloudy at first, but quickly gets a head on it - anything precipitating out and settling to the bottom is not good, unless you're panning for gold

widowmaker · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:34 pm

Ok Gmctd made me feel guilty....again. :wink:

I had 22,000 on the fuel filter and a new one on the shelf, so I drug myself out of the easy chair and went and changed it. It was uneventful, except I dropped the cup that I had collected the fuel from the filter in. I decided since I had to back the jeep out of the garage to clean the fuel spill, I would go ahead and change the oil 500 miles early. As the oil was draining, I went to get the new oil filter and at that moment realized I don't have one. Carp!!! Shut the fumoto valve, added 2 quarts of oil and lowered the hood. I blame gmctd!!!

j/k - about the blaming part
sortof

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:17 pm

That's nuttin' - ya oughtta hear the neighbors when they see me out changin' the oil in my 20" push-type lawnmower - been using that same Tecumseh-powered magnesium-deck Craftsman mower, with the self-propel gearbox removed, since 1981...............

widowmaker · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:56 pm

yeah but i bet you got oversized tires on it and added a flux capacitor.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:34 pm

oh and don't forget the heavy duty muffler bearings and custom piston return springs :wink:

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:49 pm

Hadda put new wheels\tires on it in the '90's

Fuel Filter and Hard Starting

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