What do you guys recommend for the fuel filter replacement interval?





Also, is it as hard to get the filter out once unscrewed as it looks? Are there any tricks?

I do mine every 6-8K. Alley Kat (the truck) gets a little sluggish when it is time. Swap it out and it is like a full tuneup.

5-6K. At $16 a filter It's cheap insurance.

I also should have asked what replacement you use, OEM or other?

you didn't say what your ddriving. I have a 2003 GMC Duramax, abd changed th fuel filter at 5k and have 11k on it now so will be changing again soon. Have Nicks Cat filter for pre filter, will change it at about 15k. OEM filters cost to much unless you can find a special. I use NAPA aior filters, Baldwin fuel and oil filters and Allison tranny filter. Fuel filters for Durramac are supposedly all made by RACAL no matter who's name is on them so I use baldwinn to save a few bucks. Mine come packaged in clear plaastic wrapper with RACAL stennciled on the filter and a Baldwin stickker on the outside of the package. Yes, the filter is a little hard to get at. The 04's look a lot easiier. The next time I change my fuel filter I'll take the feder liner out and replace the plastic push fastenerts with Riv-Nuts abd screws. I'm 76 and don't bend as easy as some of you you guys. Edited by: Bill Gisse

JTRate,

Look under the "Do It Yourself and Useful Articles" topic. There is a thread posted by dmaxalliTech titled "Fuel Filter replacement pics/instructions". It is another great write-up from Eric.

Edited by: BH in AZ

Common wisdom on this site says all the fuel filters, regardless of brand, are actually made by Racor, the OEM manufacturer.

I remove the plastic (?) inner fender well. Then you have full access to the filter.


With just the OEM filter (and no Pre-OEM supplemental installed), I would try 8K miles first. Cut the used fuel filter open and see where you stand. If less than half the filter is used, up the mileage interval to 10K miles. (A lot of this depends on where you routinely buy your fuel and the quality of it. This seems to vary drastically across the country.)

I do my OEM at 10K and the post 660 Racor at 20K. Later! Frank

I pull the battery out, tape pos. cable up as it is hot from other battery. Real easy to do. Change it about 7500 miles prefilter about the same, first time with prefilter so will cut it open and will shorten or lenthen miles when I see what it looks like.Edited by: BRUCE

I used Dmaxallitech's method. I spent more time overthinking the job, than just doing it. I did mine on the street, standing on the curb. Gives a little extra height. Took about 25 min. Next time I expect to be about 15 min.

I change my 30 micron pre lift pump filter every 7500, the OEM at 15000 and the Mega at 45000. The 30 micron filter looks ready at 7500 for sure. Have not cut an OEM at 15000 with the 30 micron ahead of it. In about 2 months I will have that data.

On my 2001 Damx my stock filter and Racor pre-filter were last changed at 10,000 miles. Both actually looked pretty good and I could likely be fine with 15,000 change [I will stay with 10,000].


A major factor in all of this filtering stuff is where your fuel comes from. I have seen filters at 10,000 miles, cut open, that would scare you. ALL of my fuel comes from one source [having a 45 gallon Transferflow tank helps here] so I can easily control my fuel used [and am very happy with my fuel quality]. Fuel varies a lot from one station to another. The only thing for the knowledgable guys to do is add filters and/or change often. `


It took me a year to figure out where the local stations get there fuel, who has good fuel and who does not, etc. For instance, if I had to fill up at one of the unamed national brand stations, I would want to change BOTH fuel filters at 3000-5000 miles. My 10,000 mile filters change works for me.