Community Forums

George Crow · 03-23-2015, 04:53 PM

What would be the shelf life of Fleetguard fuel filters still in orginal wrap ? I have 2 that I`ve carried as spares for awhile -- George Crow

palehorse89 · 03-23-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Crow

What would be the shelf life of Fleetguard fuel filters still in orginal wrap ? I have 2 that I`ve carried as spares for awhile -- George Crow

Hello George, 5 years is maximum shelf life per Fleetguard

On Fleetguard product there is a 5 digit code,
08145 = 145th day of 2008 it was made.

tom chelbana · 03-24-2015, 09:52 AM

It's air filters that should be no more then 1 year old when installed and as late of the date code on the filter box. The glue over time comes a part and then the paper in the air filter can go into the turbo. Last Cummins seminar suggested replacing paper air filters every year.

wb7auk · 03-24-2015, 10:07 AM

Treated fuel/water filters have a 3 year shelf life.

R2Home · 03-24-2015, 11:15 AM

For us shelf life is not too much of an issue, as I install the 'spare' filters when I do a service and get new ones for spares. That way they are never stored for more then a year. I do keep 'extra' filters in one of my storage compartments for when I am on the road.

wb7auk · 03-24-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2Home

For us shelf life is not too much of an issue, as I install the 'spare' filters when I do a service and get new ones for spares. That way they are never stored for more then a year. I do keep 'extra' filters in one of my storage compartments for when I am on the road.

A lot of the online retail outlets sell filters that can be any where from new
stock to very old and out dated.

pwhittle · 03-27-2015, 04:19 AM

I have a bunch of filters I got when we bought the MH 3 years ago. I noticed the rubber coming off the big air filter so called Fleetguard and read them serial numbers off all the filters I had. They were able to tell me the dates of each of them, and none were within the recommended time period. Some were over 10 years old. I will buy fresh in advance of my next changes.

Paul

H. Miller · 03-27-2015, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Hello George, 5 years is maximum shelf life per Fleetguard

On Fleetguard product there is a 5 digit code,
08145 = 145th day of 2008 it was made.

I have 7 Fleetguard filters in the barn for change this weekend.. None have a 5 digit number per above..

palehorse89 · 03-27-2015, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller

I have 7 Fleetguard filters in the barn for change this weekend.. None have a 5 digit number per above..

Maybe they are so old.....they had not started putting the date code on them

The ones I just received from the filter barn all did......?

Smitty77 · 03-27-2015, 04:34 PM

The dates are sometimes hard to find. If you do not locate them, then I would recommend tossing them.

I follow the same practice as mentioned. I have my two spares of each fuel filter onboard as I travel. The currents one are about 14 months apart, with the oldest now being 16 months old. When I do yearly maintenance, I buy new (and have the parts guy cherry pick a young date) which goes into storage. I take the oldest stored filters and they go onto the coach for use. Always within Shelf Life Date.

Filters are like tires. Buy the best you can, and you always want the youngest ones you can find. Tires going bad can end up in an accident. Filters going bad can cause a large expense from damaged engines or transmissions.

Buy one less good bottle of wine, or mid level scotch, if needed to afford the best filters you can get

!

Best,
Smitty

George Crow · 03-28-2015, 12:47 PM

I always buy Fleetguard filters, but neglected to rotate the spares for 2 changes -- I just purchased new filters from Filter Barn, & 2 of them have 2015 dates & 2 have late 2014 dates -- The 2 spare fuel filters are out of date, so I`ll toss them & pay closer attention to the dates from now on -- George --

palehorse89 · 03-28-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Crow

I always buy Fleetguard filters, but neglected to rotate the spares for 2 changes -- I just purchased new filters from Filter Barn, & 2 of them have 2015 dates & 2 have late 2014 dates -- The 2 spare fuel filters are out of date, so I`ll toss them & pay closer attention to the dates from now on -- George --

One more thought George, The information I posted was from a retired Fleetguard engineer, other's have posted/contended that the date stamped on the filter's are for controlling inventory........I think one fella emailed Wix filters and they said 5-8 years depending on storage conditions...... I also have never read or heard of a filter media failing due to it age? We have had fuel filter's on our equipment that is not used that often been in operation for the shelf life time frame without trouble........so who knows.
If they are not to far out of date, and have had a good storage life so far, I would think you would be fine to use them next filter change........Like one post above, no dates on his...........and seems some time ago, some posted that the filters from the filter barn were out of date when bought!