3126 CAT Fuel Filter Change

[BertD]

I purchased a 2004 Dutch Star with the 3126 CAT. It is my understanding that it only has one 2 micron fuel filter, located with the fuel/water separator.
I have a problem with "algae". I just had the filter changed and biocide added to the tank. The mechanic said that I will probably go through 2 or three filters cleaning out the dead "algae."
In a week we will leave for an 800 mile round trip, over 3 days. I have a three spare filters but have never changed one.
I know enough to know that I don't have "hand prime" capability and that an engine that loses prime is a big deal.
Is carrying a 2(?) gal can of fuel so that I can fill the filter prior to screwing it in place adequate?
What problems can I expect removing/reinstalling the filter and fuel/water separator bowl?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[RedT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertD What problems can I expect removing/reinstalling the filter and fuel/water separator bowl? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I use the same type filter, and have always changed my own. The book says to use filtered fuel, but the question as to where to get it is open. I depend on the pump filter at the gas station to deliver filtered fuel, and fill the fresh filter using the outer ring of holes in the top of the filter while blocking the center hole. (The fuel flow through the filter is from the outer to the center of the filter. The large hole in the center of the filter is fuel flow to the engine.) Fill the filter completely, assuring there is no air in the system. Air in the system will cause many starting problems.

My experience has been that if the filter is completely full, you will be able to start and run with no problem.

[BertD]

Thanks RedT.
It is my recollection that the fuel/water separator screws on the bottom of the filter. Do you remove them as a unit and then separate them?

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertD I purchased a 2004 Dutch Star with the 3126 CAT. It is my understanding that it only has one 2 micron fuel filter, located with the fuel/water separator. I have a problem with "algae". I just had the filter changed and biocide added to the tank. The mechanic said that I will probably go through 2 or three filters cleaning out the dead "algae." In a week we will leave for an 800 mile round trip, over 3 days. I have a three spare filters but have never changed one. I know enough to know that I don't have "hand prime" capability and that an engine that loses prime is a big deal. Is carrying a 2(?) gal can of fuel so that I can fill the filter prior to screwing it in place adequate? What problems can I expect removing/reinstalling the filter and fuel/water separator bowl? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

This gets discussed and cussed often. I did change my filters once because I got serviced and was hundreds of miles on way and realized the turkeys did not change the filters. You have to be sure they understand to change them.

I put fuel in but I got a clear clean glass jar, poured the fuel first and inspected it in light to see if it was clear and it was so loaded the filter and bugger turned over on first try.

But later at a Freightliner seminar at an FMCA they said to put them on dry and turn on key for 30 seconds three times and it will prime the filters. I have talked to others that do this and it works fine, but places I have had serviced I ask and they seem to all fill them.

As for spares, I carry a couple. But place did not have a water separator and gave me an extra regular filter. In fact I know some Freightliner places have serviced and just put on two filters instead of the water separator and tell people that its very unlikely you would ever get that water separator full of water.

But I do know a guy who was driving a long distance in heavy rain and got enough to see it in glass bowl. I have never had any show up.

For a war story, a guy down at Quartzsite showed up at our rally with a new Bounder diesel. They told him during his acceptance walk around to drain a little water out of the separator every day! He did and first day broke the little knob and had fuel everywhere and had to have a service call to get going with new separator.

Bob

[Chuck 1935]

If you don't have any diesel fuel handy you can pre fill the filter with any transmission fluid. The best part is you know it's clean. I have done this for years and it works just fine. It's easy to carry, it's easy to pour and no mess. Good luck.

[1ciderdog]

Bert, on mine I remove it (them) as one piece then remove the water separator from the fuel filter. I do drain the filter prior to removing it. I also remove six phillips screws that hold a "grill" in place and remove the "grill". Access to the filter is much simpler. I also have to loosen the two bolts holding the bracket that holds the filter otherwise the base of the water separater hits a piece of metal frame when turning.
Bob

[dportem]

I purchased an 04 newmar dutchstar with the 3126 three years ago at an aution. It's been great, it's been sad. About a year into it, the engine started loosing power here and there, just a reminder to let me know I bought it at an auction! I thought it was water in the filter and a mech showed me how to change the filter on the road. He filled the outer holes and screwed it back on, turned the key let it prime and it started right up. Three thousand miles later, same thing. I did this twice until she left me on the side of the road.

Side note: Have 3 grand ready for a new Huey pump. I found out it runs everything, including fuel!

I am a little bummed out that there is only one fuel filter, but 15 thousand miles so far, knock, no trouble. I am currently looking into the double filter setup, just in case.

Enjoy, and like the wizend ones here will tell you, don't get pissed when something goes wrong, just enjoy the time out on the trail. Cheers. Josh

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 If you don't have any diesel fuel handy you can pre fill the filter with any transmission fluid. The best part is you know it's clean. I have done this for years and it works just fine. It's easy to carry, it's easy to pour and no mess. Good luck.

Viscosity is too high for modern high pressure injection systems. Better to keep some bottled lamp oil (kerosene) handy for this task. Does not matter which color or scent, it all comes out the stack!

[spike45]

Bert,

Algae is a bugger to get rid of. The mechanic was right in saying that it may take several filters to remove the dead bodies. Usually with plugging from bio-organisms the plugging is rapid. You may find yourself doing a lot of filter changing in one day. If the problem persists have the fuel tank cleaned out and steam cleaned and THOROUGHLY dried before return to service. The bugs live in the water in the tank and feed on the fuel. The bugs likely entry was from the air venting on your tank or some tank at a fueling location. Also, fueling after the truck stop receives a new load of diesel will stir up the water and bugs on the bottom of the tank. The next person who buys that fuel pays a lot of money for some water and more to get rid of it. In the mean time buy some fuel biocide and continue to treat the tank at each fuel stop. As I stated before, the bugs are stubborn to get rid of.

As an old Cat guy before I came to Cummins, Cat engines were always equipped with a filter head with hand priming pump. Could it be that now you have an electric priming/booster pump to push fuel the distance from your tank to the engine? On some MHs that can be a long distance and a lot of restriction making it hard for the lift pump to pull the fuel. CAT 2 micron fuel filters are their 'norm" spec. You can run a fuel water separator like a DAVCO 380 with a larger micron filter plus you can see the fuel level in the top clear bowl. When the fuel level nears the top of the clear housing it is time to change the prefilter. You can also see any water accumulation on the bottom bowl.

Really, draining FWS is not usually a daily task but should be done at least once after each fuel stop as you may be buying some water.

[BertD]

Thanks for all the good information.

I sent Freightliner an email asking aobut priming by turning the key on for 3 -30 second intervals. Their reply indicated that it would work, but they did not come out and say that. They said that they don't recommend it and that filters should be filled before being installed.

I just looked at the location of the filter and it does not look like a big deal to change. It is reasonably accessible and I have an oil filter wrench that fits the housing in case it is a little stubborn coming off. I had thought about some kerosene but had not thought about the lamp fuel. I like that idea.

I see no "line" between water/fuel in in the clear bowl under the filter, nor did I the only other time I ever looked. I was not aware that I should be draining it daily or even after every fuel fill up. When you talk about doing it after a fuel fill up do you mean the next day? Doesn't it take time for the water to get to the separator?

We plan on driving to central MO next Friday and back on Sunday, 800 mile round trip. I have 3 spare filters, does anyone thing that might not be enough to get me back home.

Thanks again for all the help.

[spike45]

You are doing the right thing to at least visually check for the water line if there is one. As far as checking or draining after a fill up, it depends on how low the fuel level was when you topped off the tank. It can take some time unless you bought a lot of water!

At least you have a FWS that has a clear bowl for observation. Some FWS do not and thus daily draining is the only way to know if there is anything or not.

[Texun1]

When filling a new filter buy a rubber stopper that fits the large hole in the fuel filter. Fill the filter by poruing fuel thru the small holes. This the the same path as the fuel travels when the filter is in service.

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texun1 When filling a new filter buy a rubber stopper that fits the large hole in the fuel filter. Fill the filter by poruing fuel thru the small holes. This the the same path as the fuel travels when the filter is in service.

EXCELLENT advice.

Gary

[stuhly]

ATF worked just in my over the road Cats. Not near as messy as trying to carry a can of fuel.