Community Forums

moisheh · 10-24-2013, 07:15 PM

I am about to do my first full service on our 05 Bounder with a C7. No problem as I have done big trucks and MH's many times. I am wondering if most owners do the filter mounted to the engine( Secondary?) from the bottom or the top. I prefer doing from the bottom as I don't want to make a mess in the closet. But it is a long reach from the floor of my shop to the top area and I am not getting younger. I do have one of those filter wrenches that will take a ratchet and an extension but the install of a full filter is not that easy. What do most owners do? Top or Bottom?

stuhly · 10-24-2013, 08:29 PM

I have my truck mech do mine. He is younger than me and only whines a little bit about diesel in his armpit

jimcumminsw · 10-25-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

I am about to do my first full service on our 05 Bounder with a C7. No problem as I have done big trucks and MH's many times. I am wondering if most owners do the filter mounted to the engine( Secondary?) from the bottom or the top. I prefer doing from the bottom as I don't want to make a mess in the closet. But it is a long reach from the floor of my shop to the top area and I am not getting younger. I do have one of those filter wrenches that will take a ratchet and an extension but the install of a full filter is not that easy. What do most owners do? Top or Bottom?

Are you saying that you are pre-filling the fuel filter and then want to install the filter? Why?

When I worked at Cat (engineer) we would assemble the tractors dry and if equipped with a fuel priming pump we would than prime the filter and fuel system to start. If not we would use the starter to prime the filter.
See pages 71 and 72 of Cat booklet Form SEBU8083-08 which I have attached.

http://safety.cat.com/cda/files/5305...+Intervals.pdf

Jim W.

cbeierl · 10-25-2013, 10:32 AM

My was done from the top, but it was a royal pain.

Here's an older posting of my describing how I had my filter relocated for easier access, along with adding a priming pump: Relocated Fuel Filter & Added Priming Pump.

Jim2 · 10-25-2013, 10:37 AM

When I do it myself, its from the top (opening under the bed).
When a shop mech does it, its from the bottom; usually standing in a pit.

moisheh · 10-25-2013, 12:59 PM

JimCummins SW: Motorho0mes with the C7 do not come with a primer pump. If you do not prefill the filters you will be cursing for hours trying to get a prime. If you install a primer hand pump one must remove a hatch in thye closet and pump away. I have a super clean container and I took solvent and rags to the station. Cleaned the nozzle and filled my container. I have a plug that fits the center hole of the filter and poured slowly into the outer holes. I know that is not cat's recommendation but being as I only change the filters once a year ( lesst han 6000 miles) I really don't think I will do any harm. BTW: Do you now work for Cummins SW?

Dick1142 · 10-25-2013, 09:44 PM

I do both fuel filters on my C-7 from the bottom and DRY. Never had a problem starting. Just do one then start and let run, then do the other.

moisheh · 10-26-2013, 06:50 AM

I completed the job yesterday.. Did it from the bottom and it was no big deal. I did fill the filters with clean diesel while I had the center hole plugged. Thanks for the replies

jimcumminsw · 10-26-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

JimCummins SW: Motorho0mes with the C7 do not come with a primer pump. If you do not prefill the filters you will be cursing for hours trying to get a prime. If you install a primer hand pump one must remove a hatch in thye closet and pump away. I have a super clean container and I took solvent and rags to the station. Cleaned the nozzle and filled my container. I have a plug that fits the center hole of the filter and poured slowly into the outer holes. I know that is not cat's recommendation but being as I only change the filters once a year ( lesst han 6000 miles) I really don't think I will do any harm. BTW: Do you now work for Cummins SW?

No; I retired from Caterpillar in 09 after 40 years. I have seen way to many issues on warranty claims for failed hydraulic and fuel system due to pre-filling of filters. We knew mechanics would per-fill but could not prove that they did; even though we could trace the debris to per-filled filters.

Jim W.

wheelsturnin · 01-05-2014, 04:52 PM

Hey Moisheh. I have a Dutch Star 3865 with a Cat 3406E, Newmar was nice enough to install a remote primary and secondary fuel filter system on the engine compartment wall with the priming pump. This makes changing the filters easier. You might think about a similar application. They never come off easy. I did read the Cat manual for the motor and they don't recommed pre filling the filters to prevent contamination. After cranking for a short period, less than 15 seconds the filter should be filled and the motor should start. Happy wrenching.