How common is it that these fuel filters go bad? Awhile ago I hit it hard with WOT and felt fuel starved. I had been running Biodiesel too. It kept doing it and I replaced the filter. Fixed it no problem. I noticed the problem reoccur and this filter had @ 2 weeks on it with @ 400 miles. I took it in and it showed it being a plugged filter. I replaced it again and it ran fine. I cut it open and posted pictures here and it looked great since we were thinking about bacteria. NOW it has @ 2500 miles on it and is doing the same thing. They tested it again and it shows a plugged filter. They told me that I should only be using GM filters and not to use the "other" brands. I thought that all these filters were made by Racor. Is that true? I will once AGAIN replace fuel filter. I always thought these were supposed last longer than 2500 miles. :mad: I will cut it open and let all see it.
How common is it for these filters to be a "bad" batch or crap out on you? What should my next step be? Buy their expensive fuel filters and wait and see?
I buy my filters from the local filter store in bulk.

Thanks

Ben

Are you blending the bio yourself, or do you buy diesel with bio in it already? If you blend it, try running it through a rag when you put it in and see if you strain anything out. I have run about a barrel of B100 blended to 16% to 20% and had no problem. My current filter has 9K miles on it.

I'd have to agree - got to be a fuel contamination problem.

Put some of your fuel in a glass jar and let it set for a few hours and see if anything
seperates out.

Put some of your fuel in a glass jar and let it set for a few hours and see if anything
seperates out.

also, put the jar in the fridge and check for cloudiness and the temp. Some WVO has a hi cloud point depending on amount and type of contaminates and fatty acid.

Thanks alot guys! I went to the filter dealer and we had a LENGTHY talk. I cut open my filter and there was sludge in it. The "sludge" felt like grease. I bought the bio and put it into my aux tank and poured 5 gallons in and then added diesel. It sounds like FPPF is making a anti-gel additive that is just for bio. Here are pix.

Ben

Are you blending the bio yourself, or do you buy diesel with bio in it already? If you blend it, try running it through a rag when you put it in and see if you strain anything out. I have run about a barrel of B100 blended to 16% to 20% and had no problem. My current filter has 9K miles on it.

blnagel;

is this homebrewed from WVO? or is it WVO or SVO not processed?

thanks for the pics.

Straight bio from a purchased 55 gal drum.

Ben

that sludge may be the result of BD cleaning out the #2 contaminates and dumping it in the filter. How many miles have you run #2 and how many have you run BD?

Hey nice gloves!!They match Mackin's new ATS tranny.:muahaha:

Ben,
Did you have any problems prior to running BIO, like a bad case of microbial growth?

I've seen bad sludge from microbial growth, but the stuff on your gloves looks even worse than that!
Doug

that sludge may be the result of BD cleaning out the #2 contaminates and dumping it in the filter. How many miles have you run #2 and how many have you run BD?


#2 diesel has @ 88k miles. With bio I am now at 95. I was thinking the same thing as you that the bio was cleaning out all the crap. Thanks

Ben

keep carrying spare fuel filters in case this happens again. Might consider installin a cheaper pre-oem fuel filter. NAPA does one that is cheaper than one for the stock replacement.

I always carry a spare. Deadeye what kind of setup is it from NAPA?

Ben