My Dad and I both have Durmax diesels we just discovered this web site and have trouble getting away from it since it is winter and outdoor activites are minimal now.


We have been looking into alternative filter systems besides the Nicktane. The Nicktane looks really good, but we came across the RACOR unit. Any users? any comments?


I can see it would require cutting some pipe but we were quoted a install on the Chevy Durmax aprox $250.00 parts and labor.


The filter retails for about $125.00 not bad at first glance.


Any comments would be appreciated.


Have a Merry Christmas

You can check out this thred :http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1324&KW=fuel+filter Here you will see my pre Racor 660 mounted in "Nicks" spot...no cutting of fuel lines required.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

diesel biker, considering the quality problems people have seen with the OEM Racor (rust, one guy actually had his come apart internally), I personally trust the Cat filter more than anything made by Racor. The Cat filter is a well engineered and superb quality piece. They actually built their own automated factory just to produce it to their quality standards. Plus it's a large filter (the 1R0749 anyway) so you can get some reasonable life even filtering at 2 microns. And it's not overly expensive, I think I pay like $17 each for'em at the Cat dealer.

One thing about the Cat that I don't like, however, is the packaging. They just toss it in a cardboard box, it's not sealed in plastic like the OEM piece. We're talking about awfully small particles here, and a cardboard box is not the cleanest of environments. I've noticed quite a bit of small particle debris on the things right out of the box, around the threads on the clean side for example. BUT ... since I've got it installed pre-OEM, I don't worry terribly alot about that. I wouldn't want one post-OEM though.Edited by: ZFMax

I've run the Racor 660 using either the R60S or R90S 2 micron filters. I bought as a kit and installation was simple (about 10 minutes). I get the filters via the Internet for about $19/ea. The Racor has the clear bowl and drain... think you can also get with heater if you need it.


On edit, I also think based on fuel analysis the Racor setup has turned in some excellent results.Edited by: tophog

As a group, we have tested most of the supplemental fuel filter systems available. Reference the data contained in the PDF file at this link:


http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO/OC_Dmax.pdf


On the thread mentioned by Dmax Affair above, you will see a picture of my Racor filter installation also. Listed below is a picture of the kit I purchased and the price list.


http://www.thedieselpage.com/vendors/amsoil.htm


http://lubespecialist.com/Order/order.mv


Besides the Racor filter set-up, Kennedy also sells a filter set-up also which is based on the Baldwin filter. All three will do the job (Cat, Racor or Baldwin).

The filter that I have not seen mentioned since I found this site is the Amsoil/dahl. It has a water seperator and drain on bowl plus filter cartridge is available in 10 & 2 microns. And they are available in 3 sizes.


Anybody seen or tried one?

has anybody gone over 75000 to 100000 miles with an added fuel filter kit? if so what have you installed? Have you had any injector problems? Just looking for some hi mileage trucks that have benifeted from the added filter. thanks alot guys. hddm3http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Ps. happy holidays

hddm3, I'm at 75,500 miles on my 2001. But I only installed my Kennedy Megafilter post-OEM at 73,600. I'm hoping that it will carry me to 100,000+ since I've had no issues so far.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I installed my Cat at 8,000 but only hav 19,300 right now. It'll be a few years before I see any real benefit(or lack thereof) but hopefully over the next few months more people that drive a lot of miles and have added secondary will be able to chime in.

ZF MAX--------I'm glad your OEM filters are wrapped in plastic. The one I just bought from my dealer was'nt wrapped in anything---just came in a card board box with the 'O' rings in a small flat plastic envelope--------------------Phil

idle-chatter and victory red, thanks alot for your reply. im sure there will be some hi mile trucks chimming in soon, after all, thats why we bought the diesel in the first place. thanks again guys for the reply. maybe one day i'll be able to return the favor. hddm3http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Victory Red,


Did you ever move your Filter to the 'high side'? Think I told you that I have mine mounted on the engine block above the Power Steering unit. Used to have air about 2x a week, since I moved it, not once.

Mitchagain,


Yes I did move mine. It's much better, but after 5 or 6 days I begin to get a "rumble" when first started(fuel starvation). No stalls since, but I may need to shorten my fuel line run. I currently have them running around back over the turbo. I think the shortening the in/out fuel lines may help my situation.


There is air in the system, and in my case I'm thinking when the air builds up and the lines run a little 'dry', the pump can't catch up to fuel filters in time causing my 'stumble'. Hard to say, a lift pump would take away this issue, but I just don't feel my talents are high enough to install one.

Got my pre OEM Cat installed at 2200 miles, have 5800 on the truck now, including a run down to Florida from Ohio. Mine seems to run very well and get excellent mileage. I think/hope I got a good one!


I chose the Cat for the ease of finding filters, the size of the 0749, and the price of the spin on elements.

... lift pump would take away this issue, but I just don't feel my talents are high enough to install one...


VictoryRed,


GO FOR IT!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Considering the great work you have done on the SS tailgate supporthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif, YOU HAVE the talent to install a lift pump. The Stanadyne FM100 with a lift pump option is probably the easiest and most economical option...

...The filter that I have not seen mentioned since I found this site is the Amsoil/dahl. It has a water seperator and drain on bowl plus filter cartridge is available in 10 & 2 microns. And they are available in 3 sizes. Anybody seen or tried one?



The Baldwin-DAHL (http://www.baldwinfilter.com/products/Dahl.pdf) is an excellent filter and it was discussed briefly in the original TDP fuel filter threads. I bought a DAHL-100 for my 98 K3500 6.5 TD and was planning on installing it on my DMAX but I decided not to and I sold it. The main reason I chose not to use it was that the 2-micron rating for the DAHL is a nominal rating – 50% efficient at 2 microns. The absolute rating (99%) is around 12 microns. All the various filters being used for the Duramax (CAT, Baldwin (MEGA), RACOR) are high efficiency filters - 98/99% at 2 microns which is what we need for the BOSCH common Rail system. There were also reports of vacuum leak problems with the DAHL on the Ford site. I don’t think it would be a good choice considering the high vacuum levels that occur with the stock DMAX fuel system. However, looking back I could have used the DAHL with a 30 micron element as pre- filter in front of my lift pump (http://community.webshots.com/album/77018086bLHHHC) in place of the Stanadyne FM100. One major benefit of the DAHL is it’s superior water separator design. They are also reasonably priced. A few years ago I bought one with several spare elements and the heater option for about $120 from westfeet.com.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gifEdited by: jbplock

Victory Red,
IMHO there is no need for a lift pump on your type of install.I have my CAT 0750 filter mounted in the same location & have over 3,000 miles on it with no problems.I have towed my 12,500 lb 5er 1,000 miles over some pretty big mountains.
My hoses are only 3' long each & I made sure all my barb fittings were good & tite. Sounds like you have a minor vacum leak.

Here's is a link to show the RACOR kit I had installed on my Dmax. Just scoll down to the bottom of the page to see installation. Good Luck......................Steve...


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2605&PN=5&TPN=1Edited by: shuffman

Chipper,


I've considered the fact I may have a small leak somewhere. I just have been busy on my other project to give anytime to that since it hasn't been an issue as of yet. I bought a new gasket for the primer cover a few weeks ago to replace, just haven't gotten that far yet.





As for the lift pump, the other benefit is keeping the fuel filters full of fuel in a post oem setup. All 3 filters I've changed out so far(1 OEM and 2 Cats) have have the banding which means that they aren't staying full. I just never liked the idea of the additional parts/maintenance of it. I'm starting to get a little swayed, but I'm going to play with this setup a little more to see if I'm overlooking a small leak somwhere.

Diesel Biker


Its not the filter, its the results. Im not braggin but E-mail avlube and ask Geo about Gene Smiths Fuel report, Then you may want to go the way I did. Maybe Geo will post It.


Geno

Jbplock, THX for the post& link. Looks as if Balwin& Amsoil are both marketing the Dahl filter. The link shows the same info as my Amsoil catalogs.


I read& reread the info on link, and have previously done the same in Amsoil catalog and I can't find the info youi provided abo9ut 50% eff.@ 2 mic& absolute @ 12. Where did you get that info?


Also an eye opener to hear of vacuum leak problems. I had been contemplating a post OEM install above AC similar to Shuffman's Racor.


Right now I think I'm going to wait a bit longer to see what GM?Racor come up with in their effort. Just keep OEM changed often till then.


Geno, what sort of filtration are you using and is it pre or post OEM?Edited by: dirty old man

dirty old man


I have a Stanadyne F M 100 lift pump witch has a 5 micron filter water seperator mounted nex to tank then to the OEM then thro the Mega. In all there is three filters is reason for the super clean fuel report. Hopefuly Geo with avlube will post it. Kennedy may have cleanest oil but I got the cleanest fuel.


I set the pressure on the pump to 1/2 to3/4 lb at idle and it goes to almost 0 at 3000 RPM--------- Mega is post


Oil is next


Geno


Edited by: geno

I modeled my set-up after Victory Red and am having similar problems. There is no rhyme or reason to it. The first morning I had to prime it, then it was fine. A few days later I re-started after sitting for a few hours and it died at the end of my driveway (drove 75'). The third time was after sitting at home for 3 or so hours after driving 100 or so miles.

I want to change a couple of fittings but I don't have any wet spots at any connections.

John

I'd like to find out one thing though. How many people running above the power steering pump are using the Permacool head, and how many are using the actual Cat head there?


I'm starting to think that maybe the flatter Permacool head may be more friendly to our fuel system setups than the Cat heads.


This is something I may have to swap out and try. Since it's similiar to the Racor setup, and I don't remember ever hearing anyone have air issues Post OEM with that, I'm thinking the Cat head design may be the culprit here.

I doubt that most of you having air problems have actual leaks. IMHO, the "non lifted" design of the system is a recipe for trouble. A lift pump will eliminate this. I believe that the variance in results has more to do with the flow checking of the system, and the pump's ability to prime. Having the secondary unit above the pump suction point should help keep the plumbing from the filter to the pump full when shut down, but if the front or back end of the system allows the fuel to bleed down...





Also remember that IF you have a leak on a suction type system, DIRT will enter along with the air.





Another thing to consider is that Caterpillar is using their best filtration as a SECONDARY. In order to have the Cat Equivalent of the setup that I use, one would need the 1R0755 element which is used on a very large V-12 engine. All other elements pale in comparison to this application...Edited by: Kennedy

... Looks as if Baldwin & Amsoil are both marketing the Dahl filter...


...I read & reread the info on link, and have previously done the same in Amsoil catalog and I can't find the info you provided about 50% eff.@ 2 mic ....


DAHL filters are made by Baldwin (http://www.baldwinfilter.com) as are most of AMSOIL's oil filters (Hastings is also a Baldwin Co).


To get the (Beta) efficiency specs (http://www.baldwinfilter.com/engineer/95_11.html) you can call or email Baldwin Tech support (http://www.baldwinfilter.com/support/start.html). I have found them to be very helpful and responsive with filter recommendations and specs.


I also second JK's oppinion on air leaks... Before I installed my lift pump I had air and did extensive testing looking for leaks and found none... Added a lift pump and all is well .... Better throttle response, quicker starts, & fully utilized filter surface ...


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gifEdited by: jbplock

Geno wrote:


I have a Stanadyne F M 100 lift pump witch has a 5 micron filter water seperator mounted nex to tank then to the OEM then thro the Mega. In all there is three filters is reason for the super clean fuel report. Hopefuly Geo with avlube will post it. Kennedy may have cleanest oil but I got the cleanest fuel.





Geno,


Send either JBPLOCK or myself the AVLUBE fuel report and we will include your results in the Fuel Analysis Spreadsheet. If you have good results, we want to get it recorded.


Alan

dirty old man:


I had been contemplating a post OEM install above AC similar to Shuffman's Racor. Unquote:


Please be advised my RACOR is a pre-OEM setup due to warranty issues..............................Steve...

There should be no problems with the engine mounted Racor if properly mounted and an air bleed installed on the top of the discharge side. I chose the Racor because of the very low pressure drop. I have mounted several with zero problems to date. (knock on wood) Hi Mitch! How are the Elk steaks. Check out the link below for the original engine mounted Racor. Later! Frank


http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rm11234/album?.dir=/Engine+Mounted+Racor+660&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.d one=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos Edited by: Frank Blum

Frank, Victory Red, Chipper and other high side mounters,


I used the CAT filter head, and since I moved the unit back to the high side, no issues what so ever. I agree with JK about the 'air' being a vacuum sourse for dirt. Have my lines routed tight and short and used good quality hose clamps at every connection. BTW I am in the post OEM configuration.


Frank, these elk steaks mave made a believer out of the wife and kids (finally!). Bulls are for braggin', Cows are for eatin'! And this year we're eatin!