Change those Fuel Filters

[Joe-K]

I'm pretty sure I had posted these pictures before the hard drive crash, but I thought I'd repost them as a reminder to change your fuel filters often.

Last fall after returning from a trip through the Michigan Upper Peninsula, I noticed the engine on the motorhome seemed to stumble when climbing a hill under wide-open-throttle. After getting home, I figured I'd try a fuel filter change although I had only put around 5000 miles on since the last change.

The pictures below tell the story. The fuel filter was plugged by a very fine material. Touching it, it almost reminded me of silt. The individual particles were not decernible, but in mass they sure plugged the filter up. Talking with the service writer where I buy my filters I learned that plugging with that type of material is typical with diesel filters. Apparently, the material is so fine it stays suspended in the fuel so the filter has to capture it.

Whether the filter plugging was a result of one station where I bought fuel not having good filtration, or just an accumulation of several stations having slightly dirty fuel, I'll never know. Usually I only buy from Flying J's or similar large volume dealers, but in the UP those types wern't available.

Since we'd all rather change them at home rather than on the road, just remember, change the filter often.

Here is the cut open filter



What's that ugly looking black stuff coating the filter element.

[Joe-K]

I'm pretty sure I had posted these pictures before the hard drive crash, but I thought I'd repost them as a reminder to change your fuel filters often.

Last fall after returning from a trip through the Michigan Upper Peninsula, I noticed the engine on the motorhome seemed to stumble when climbing a hill under wide-open-throttle. After getting home, I figured I'd try a fuel filter change although I had only put around 5000 miles on since the last change.

The pictures below tell the story. The fuel filter was plugged by a very fine material. Touching it, it almost reminded me of silt. The individual particles were not decernible, but in mass they sure plugged the filter up. Talking with the service writer where I buy my filters I learned that plugging with that type of material is typical with diesel filters. Apparently, the material is so fine it stays suspended in the fuel so the filter has to capture it.

Whether the filter plugging was a result of one station where I bought fuel not having good filtration, or just an accumulation of several stations having slightly dirty fuel, I'll never know. Usually I only buy from Flying J's or similar large volume dealers, but in the UP those types wern't available.

Since we'd all rather change them at home rather than on the road, just remember, change the filter often.

Here is the cut open filter



What's that ugly looking black stuff coating the filter element.

[3huskies]

Wow, nice. I also try to buy fuel at Flying J's, but you never know. I also carry 2 fuel filters with me at all times and use Power service additive. I usually change mine every 10,000 miles...So far so good at 24,000 miles.

[Doc Mark]

Joe K - That is something that never crossed my mind! Thanks for the great tips and photos.

3huskies - what specific additive do you use and why?

[3huskies]

Doc Mark,
I use Power Service additive in the white container. The main reason I use it at every fill up, other than its anti-gel (I live in NH)and injector cleaning and lubricating
capabilities, is that it disperses water from your fuel system. As you probably know, if you have water in your diesel fuel for any amount of time, you will grow an algae farm in your tank real quick. It's cheap insurance.
I get it at Walmart.

[Doc Mark]

Thank you, Sir. I'll put that on my Wal-Mart list!

[mowmunny]

Hey guys I was in Walmart in Brownsburg, Indiana 2 days ago. Reading the instructions on power service bottles. The manager ask me if he could help. Then informed me the power service was being recalled to the manufacturer and was being pulled from this store. He could not offer a reason for this. Who knows the problem???? Don