I am new to this site as I have just ascended from a 2000 Dodge SLT to an 05 GMC 2500 cc with the duramax. I really enjoyed the Dodge and the cummins but the crew cab fits the family better and I am learning about the duramax. Thus far I am impressed. All of the trucks seem to have their own quirks. In the dodge, it was the fuel pump system. Many of the 2nd Gen owners added aftermarket pusher pumps to keep from frying the stock lift pump and subsequently the injector pump. That doesnt seem to be a problem with these trucks but, perusing the threads, injector problems seem to keep cropping up. It has been suggest in several threads that fuel filtration beyond what the stock filter can provide may be of benefit in preventing injector problems. I have purchased the element to install a high performance fuel filter between the stock filter and the tand as described in the "Nicktane" set up. I worked with my local Baldwin heavy duty diesel guy here in town to get a filter head and the Baldwin filter that is analogous to the CAT filter in the available set up. Again, my paranoia from the dodge creeps out as I was worried about possible damage to the lift/injector system from increased lift resistance throught the filter. What is the collective wisdom of this group regarding the need to install a "pusher pump" between the stock filter and the accessory filter? Thanks

Your truck has a fuel pressure sensor in it. If the additional filter created too large a pressure drop across it, I would guess they your ECU would set a code for low fuel pressure and your CEL would come on.

Many here have been running the Nicktane setup long-term with no adverse effects. I have had mine for a year with no worries.

While I feel better with secondary fuel filtration, I can't be sure that my injectors do!

I puked an injector at only 12,000 some miles and half of those miles were with a 2 micron fuel filter in addition to the stock filter.

It's fairly cheap insurance, but it is by no means a cure-all. My attitude is drive it, like it, and deal with injector problems if they crop up.

There is not a lift pump on a stock Duramax. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Doug,

First, I would make sure your 2005 truck has the newer Racor "dual pleat" filter element. GM/Isuzu/Racor upgraded the OEM fuel filter element 6 months (or so) ago. The original fuel filter was marginal for dirty fuel.

Next, the high pressure fuel pump on the DMAX is different than on your old 2000 Cummins. There is no lift pump to worry about going bad and taking out the high pressure fuel pump. The DMAX fuel pump is an integral two pump design, one low pressure rotary gear pump directly feeding the high pressure pump (which brings the fuel system common rails up to 23,000 psi). The low pressure pump pulls the fuel from the tank thru the Fuel Injector Control module (on passenger valve cover) thru the OEM fuel filter all under vacuum. Adding a second (or supplemental) fuel filter only increases the vacuum slightly. Typically, the stock fuel system with a clean filter runs at about 2.5 inHg of vacuum. Adding a second fuel filter will raise this slightly to 2.75 inHg (I measured this with the supplemental Racor system I added over 2 years ago). As reference, if the fuel system vacuum rises above 7-8 inHg of vacuum, you should change your fuel filter. So you can see there is still plenty of margin.

If you start increasing the HP substantially on the DMAX, you will need to eventually add a lift pump back near the fuel tank. For stock and tow power upgrades this is not necessary.

Hope the above helps and welcome aboard,
Alan

Good posting ........Thanks Alan.:ro)