I recently purchased a 2004.5 Diesel. I am new to owning a diesel, and so far I love it. I have been reading about fuel pre filters, such as the nicktane filter, and fuel separators, such as the Dahl separator. Does a fuel pre filter do the same job as a fuel separator? Or should you install both? If you install either or both, do they have any effect on fuel pressure? I want to protect my engine from trash & water? Any help would be greatly appreciated.http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

Howdy Ag,


I would only worry about adding a fuel filter unless you have poor fuel issues. The pre fuel filter adds very minimal additonal restriction in the fuel system. It is not a pressurized system, but a vacuum. -5 psi is idle (about) and it can go into the teens under hard throttle/acceleration. I added a lift pump to my truck and set it up with a bypass to control pressure. I have mine set around .5 psi at idle.


If you really want LOTS of info, do a search on fuel filter tests. You will find a link to some data that shows what it looks like from the pump and then what it looks like in the OEM and then with added filters. The bottom line is add a filter.


Chris

Aggie,


Welcome.


I like you am new to diesels and stumbled upon the fuel quality issue and how it affects our high pressure injectors. This site has a wealth of info.


Bottom line: You need an extra filter. The quality of fuel out there varies to much--especially on road trips.


What to get?


Gred L. at Lubrication Specialists(site vendor) sells a real nice kit that could include a water separator and heater if you purchase that option. I have that in my truck--I did not trust the OEM water separator to work well enough. The wiring harness that comes with it allows it to plug into the existing truck system so you will get a dash warning of water in fuel just like the OEM water separator.


Nicktane kit is also good--I have it also--because it provides for a really big filter that does really good down to 2um. You can use a CAT or Baldwin filter.


Both filters will add very little restriction so either one is a no brainer.


I too like Chuntag95 will add a lift pump.


Hope this helps you get started