I just changed my "long" two micron filter on the Nicktane kit. I changed it after 15000 miles of service, during which I figure i averaged about 19-20 mpg (no towing here). I plan on cutting it open to look at the filter element.


Anyway, I was thinking that the old filter effectively filtered under a thousand gallons of fuel consumed. I realize that the total gallons circulating through the filter was much more than this, but in terms of contaminants introduced to the fuel system, it was under a thousand gallons.


It seems to me that when these filters are used on CAT engines, that probably burn 10 gallons an hour or more, they must filter a heck of a lot more fuel. Even if we assumed 10 gallons per hour for 250 hours, that's 2500 gallons.


Does anybody know what the CAT recommended fuel filter change interval is on a big CAT engine application, and what the hourly fuel burn rate is for those engines?


I can certainly afford to buy a new spin on filter every 15,000 miles, but it seems like overkill.

I change every 10,000 miles on a 475 cat at 5 to 6 mpg if that helps





on edit it is the 0749 filterEdited by: gearhead

10k and mine was 100% used up.

PC how do you know "it is all used up". All black does not mean it is completly full of contaminents.

Remember most 2micron filters have a prefilter. Many of us are running ours as the prefilter. I consider mine used up by how black it is. Right or wrong running the 0750 shorty I can stretch it to 10K if I want. I try to stay around 7500 miles which also ends up being 250 to 300 hours.


Even though it's not the prefered method I have had instances in the Army where the diesel is so dirty the filters clog and the engines hardly idle.

Most people that run the 0749 here in pre-oem configuration go 15-20k..

If you run the 0749 to 15k as a pre-filter, then what is a good interval for the OEM to be changed at? 30K?


on edit: did't mean to hi-jack threadhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif just add.Edited by: turbotug

If you run the 0749 to 15k as a pre-filter, then what is a good interval for the OEM to be changed at? 30K?


on edit: did't mean to hi-jack threadhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif just add.





i always recommend people follow gm's service interval for warranty purposes.. that being said, i know a few people who run the cat pre-oem and go 40k on the OEM (at which point it looks about 40% dark when cut open). if you do plan on running it longer, make sure you use a good additivte to prevent rust..