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notslo · 04-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I have done a search and not found any answer. I have a 2003 xc chassis with a cat 3126e and journey 36 coach. It has the single 2 micron water sep fuel filter. I would like to add a racor 490 30 micron filter with a hand primer prior to the 2 micron. The question is where to mount it? It would be quite easy to make a mount that has it sitting beside the original but the bracket for the original kind of block the rad hot air flow from blowing directly on the filter. Opinions please on mounting spot, do you think there would be adverse cooling issues with another along side. I suppose you could make a baffle to keep the hot air off. It is kind of a messy place to have a fuel filter but it is only 5 screws to remove the grill.
Thanks

notslo · 04-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I have done a search and not found any answer. I have a 2003 xc chassis with a cat 3126e and journey 36 coach. It has the single 2 micron water sep fuel filter. I would like to add a racor 490 30 micron filter with a hand primer prior to the 2 micron. The question is where to mount it? It would be quite easy to make a mount that has it sitting beside the original but the bracket for the original kind of block the rad hot air flow from blowing directly on the filter. Opinions please on mounting spot, do you think there would be adverse cooling issues with another along side. I suppose you could make a baffle to keep the hot air off. It is kind of a messy place to have a fuel filter but it is only 5 screws to remove the grill.
Thanks

wagonmaster2 · 04-07-2008, 06:57 PM

Don't know about the location, but my 2004 has 2 fuel filters with the water/fuel filter at the rear being either a 10 or 30 micron with the filter mounted on the engine being the 2 micron. I think FL (or Cat) changed from one filter to two between 2003 and 2004. The 2 micron filter mounted on the engine is a royal pain to change but maybe that would be the easiest place to mount the 2nd filter, and that is where the hand primer usually is (mine doesn't have the pump though). Sorry, can't be more help for you.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G Cat C-7 330 HP

Gary RVRoamer · 04-08-2008, 06:25 AM

Like you, I would be worried about reducing the cooling efficiency in any way. Cooling a diesel is a major concern anyway, so obstructing it in any way is something to be avoided.

Like you, I have a December 2003 XC chassis with a single water separator/filter, though mine is a side radiator. I've been looking at adding a second pre-filter, but have been running 4+ years and 40k miles with no problems on the present set-up, so it isn't urgent.

wallynm · 04-08-2008, 07:52 PM

2005 prices - Trust this helps and I mounted it on the vertical frame member on the right side just about 6 '' above the rear access door opening so I can reach in and prime the pump. We have a side radiator so I have access from the rear to the engine compartment.

To add an OE Caterpillar secondary fuel filter WITH PRIMER PUMP to a
3126 engine installation that came from a chassis builder with a
single filter and no primer pump the following parts are required.
The prices listed are over the counter retail-- local prices may
vary.

The primary filter (the one you already have) should be installed
between the fuel tank and transfer pump. The secondary filter (the
one you are adding) should be installed between the transfer pump
and the engine head (pressure side of fuel system).

Fuel hoses will need to be made, but most hydraulic shops have fuel
hose with the appropriate fittings or your Cat dealer can have them
made. This filter/primer can be mounted anywhere you want for easy
access to servicing.

This will allow the installation of both the primary and secondary
fuel filters DRY. Any diesel you pour in a filter is NOT filtered
and could contain particles larger than the 2 microns which can not
be seen by the eye, but could affect the injection system. And with
the primer pump, all you do is hand pump it until it becomes firm.
You have removed all the air from the fuel system so the engine will
start right up.

My recommendation would then be for a 10 micron primary filter/water
separator element along with the Caterpillar 2 micron secondary fuel
filter that you are adding. You will experience less filter clogs,
as the filtering duty is shared by two filters with the first
removing water and larger particles and the new one the small ones.

# 1 Fuel Filter 1R-0751 $10.28
#3 Fuel Filter Base 141-5138 $39.56
#3A Insert Fuel Filter 112-6523 $19.64
#10 Plug 9S-4182 $4.59
#5 O-ring for #10 6V-5048 $1.92
Primer Pump 105-2508 $65.87
Primer pump gasket 1P-0436 $0.85
Bolts for primer pump
Quantity 1 8C-6561 $0.22
Quantity 1 7X-2501 $0.12
Washers for primer pump
Quantity 1 8T-4205 $0.11
Quantity 1 8T-4224 $0.11

SteveG · 04-09-2008, 03:10 PM

I have looked at this same fuel filter second bracket location on our Journey 36G with a 330hp and rear radiator. So far I have not been able to solve it and am hopeful to run into someone one day who has. So far no such luck.

Another alternative: maybe replace the existing filter with a base that includes a primer? Would still leave only a single filter but would eliminate the need to manualy fill the filter when changing which puts the injectors at risk. I plug the filter's center hole but with my limited experience I am always holding my breath that the CAT will run smooth. So far so good.

tomsm · 04-09-2008, 04:23 PM

I had the 2nd filter added following the procedure listed by wallynm. The filter base for the new filter is attached to a bracket high in the engine compartment. Without looking at it, I can't remember for sure what bracket that was, but I think it's the one that holds the hydraulic tank. The new filter sits just above the old filter/separator. Very slick install by the Cat dealer in Ft. Myers.

Now the bad part - verrry pricey! As I remember, it was $500+!! Lots of labor and the hi-pressure hoses from the engine fuel pump out to the new filter and then back to the engine add to the costs. I wanted it though, so I look at it as a one time insurance premium to protect my injectors. And I have the peace of mind of having both filters and a primer pump right out back where I can easily change them on the road if I need to. Hopefully, now that I'm prepared, I'll never need to change them...

EDIT: Pictures added

The extra filter hasn't affected cooling at all. Runs 188-190 all day and the most I've ever seen in the mountains is 195. The little tweaks to the radiator fins are my last reminder of hurricane Charley...

Cosmetic only, since it obviously doesn't interfere with cooling.

notslo · 04-09-2008, 06:19 PM

Thanks all for the replies.
SteveG -- looks like we have the same coach and problem so keep me in mind if you find a fix.
tomsm -- look forward to the pics.

I suppose a racor 490 series with a pump and a 2 micron filter might be one to mount inplace of the original. Just carry a few spares and at the first sign of clogging just replace. With a primer it would be easier to do on a rainy windy day. One concern for that is the fact that it has a bypass. Don't know any details on when it bypasses.

SteveG · 04-10-2008, 04:58 PM

Tomsm, boy is that a great installation! Very nicely done. The original is the identical set up to ours as we also have a 2004 Journey 36G. Hm.. I may have to have my Brooksville Cat dealer call your Ft. Myers Cat dealer...

Did installing the new filter reduce the arm room required to support the original filter / separator when doing the removal and install? Is the new filter in the way or can you work your arm around it.? And I am assuming you can now install the filter /separator dry?

tomsm · 04-10-2008, 05:33 PM

Steve - I'm sure your dealer wouldn't need anything other than the picture of where mine is located and a copy of the letter that wallynm posted above. I got the letter from the CATRVCLUB yahoo site and showed it to my dealer. Their only question was where to locate it. They saw the possibility right away and I agreed to the location. I assume the plumbing on the engine end is just standard fittings that any dealer could do.

As far as access, it doesn't appear to be in the way, but I haven't actually done a change. The install was done about this time last year and Freightliner, Gaffney did my M3 this Jan. and changed both filters then. They didn't mention any problems and made a positive comment about the setup. If it did hinder the operation too much, you only have to remove a few screws to take out that lower grill.

Yes, I was told to change both filters dry and then pump until the pump firms up.

To be honest, I thought the price was a little overboard, but worth it for the peace of mind. Maybe with the pictures and less head-scratching time, you can get a better price from your dealer.