Here's my factory fuel filter w/ 13.5k miles. I do have a Cat Pre-Filter too, did'nt change that one yet. There seems to be a couple of black streaks on the interior of the filter media. Don't know if this is normal? Absolutly no water came out of filter. Just a little sediment in bottom of housing. Pretty good I think.:ro)

Looks very good for 13K miles in my opinion :D

how is everybody cutting the fuel filter apart? I have changed several but never cut them open.

Looks very good! With the black around the bottom of the filter check one more thing to make sure. Open the paper and see if there is any black or green slimy stuff on the paper. If you find any of the slimy stuff it's algae and your fuel system will need to be treated. If no slimy stuff found, GREAT!

Visible sediment would be a major concern for me. It's one thing to see it in the first filter, but another to see it after a highly rated filter...

ssduramax, I use a tail pipe cutter I got from Snap-On.

Monty, Yea I checked for slime/algae, none that I could feel. I do use an algaecide once in awhile.

Kennedy, I did run the truck 3-4K miles before installing the Cat Pre-Filter

Thanks all for comments, Have a Nice Day, :)

how is everybody cutting the fuel filter apart? I have changed several but never cut them open.

Hacksaw and vise.. It works..

Bought this truck used @ 43,300 + miles; installed Nictane Cat 2 micron filter @ 49,592 miles. Pics show Cat and OEM filtration results with Primrose 405 added each fill. Cat has 14,248 miles : includes 10,000 mile trip from N. Calif to AK and then to Inuvik, Northwest Territories and return pulling 10K 5th whlr; OEM has 5,563 miles from Anchorage, AK to N. Calif. - same trip.

I feel safe in the future changing the OEM @ 7500 +/- and the Cat @ 15,000. This filtration system is probably good for a lot more miles per cycle but I want to keep track of fuel issues since I have the 1st Gen injectors and am currently at nearly 70,000 absolutely trouble-free miles. I have no added power enhancements.

I'll send my brother's filter pics next - same trip with more total filter mileage.

Bought this 2003 truck new; installed Nictane Cat 2 micron filter @ 4972 miles. Pics show Cat filtration results with Primrose 405 added each fill. Cat has 20,271 miles : includes 10,000 mile trip from N. Calif to AK and then to Inuvik, Northwest Territories and return pulling 8K 5th whlr; + a trip to SD and return.


2003 EC LB D/A - no problems of any kind as yet.

(This is my brother's truck results)

New to diesels...
Umm, why are fuel filters changed at 13K?
Is this normal servicing?
Is diesel a "dirty" fuel?
THanks for updating a newbie... :help2:

diesel is a dirity fuel. I cut my filter up today at 15,000mi but was suprised to see that there was only black stuff at the bottom of the paper. Why is my fuel so clean and everyone elses dirity?

true, but he said he had the original filter on the truck which leads me to believe he ran the OEM for bit prior to the pre-filter install.

txguppy- when you cut the next OEM filter open you shouldn't find any sediment. if you don't use a good additive you will find rust spots, but 90% of the rust will accumulate in the bottom of the CAT filter.


Visible sediment would be a major concern for me. It's one thing to see it in the first filter, but another to see it after a highly rated filter...

i went in for service with 10K on the truck, they said that the filter was still fine and i didn't need a new one. this is my first diesel, so i am kinda new to this. when should the filter be changed? the truck has a few more miles on it now and figured that i would do it reguardless pretty soon.

Changed my filter at 13,500 and looked about the same. I plan on 15k change interval unless I see a problem next change, then I'll go to 10k. BTW, I cut mine open with a cutoff wheel in a die grinder. Worked great.

Hi Nick,
My pics on the prior page appear to fit this scenario. What do you think of the amount of rust in the CAT filters for the mileage reported? About average or more than average? The reason I ask is because on the trip to AK/CAN & return we were forced to fuel up at some pretty dubious appearing stations.

These are the filters that were installed in Sacto in Feb. 2004.

I'm really pleased at the lack of ANY visible sediment in my OEM shell!

Bill


txguppy- when you cut the next OEM filter open you shouldn't find any sediment. if you don't use a good additive you will find rust spots, but 90% of the rust will accumulate in the bottom of the CAT filter.

true, but he said he had the original filter on the truck which leads me to believe he ran the OEM for bit prior to the pre-filter install.

txguppy- when you cut the next OEM filter open you shouldn't find any sediment. if you don't use a good additive you will find rust spots, but 90% of the rust will accumulate in the bottom of the CAT filter.

Yea D.P. they were tiny rust spots. Thanks.

if you don't use a good additive you will find rust spots.

Ok, this begs the question. What is a good additive? :drinking:

?