Community Forums

setaylor216 · 06-13-2022, 01:59 PM

My 2019 Winnebago Forza has a Freightliner "Detroit Diesel" fuel water separator with a part number of 03-40538-020 for the whole assembly.

I'm trying to find a spare bowl w/water in fuel sensor so I can replace the filter with minimum loss of diesel while switching.

Has anyone seen such beast?

Ray,IN · 06-13-2022, 06:08 PM

I've read of some owners installing a valve in the line from the tank exactly for that purpose.

setaylor216 · 06-14-2022, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I've read of some owners installing a valve in the line from the tank exactly for that purpose.

I have found a few "used assemblies" that might work, but the ultimate fix would be a valve on the inlet side. Next time I crawl under there I'll see what all it would take.

Thanks

Ray,IN · 06-14-2022, 10:52 PM

Sorry I wasn't clear, yes-inlet side of filter housing.

Toribk · 06-15-2022, 04:27 AM

Setaylor216,

I purchased my extra bowl and pigtail sensor from Freightliner in Gaffney, SC.

They are the chassis builder and they originally installed your Detroit Diesel FW seperator....they will have it.

My Freightliner uses the "Alliance" (Freightliner private label) brand filter, but the bowl is from Parker/Racor.

I also looked into installing an in-line shut off valve, but opted not to since getting the spare bowl and having the whole assembly ready to go during the exchange.....I've gotten pretty fast over the years.

I use a disposable aluminum turkey tray filled with kitty litter to catch any spilled fuel.

NMBluept · 06-22-2022, 12:35 PM

After several iterations of bathing in diesel fuel while changing water separator filters on different motor homes I tried a different approach last time. I did not fill-up with fuel before my fall maintenance tasks. I left the tank at ~1/4 full. Then using the driver side fuel filler (the highest filler) I stuck the hose from a small vacuum cleaner I use around the garage into the filler just far enough to create some suction. I had the wife hold the hose while I removed the filter housing and changed the element. It was wonderful ;-) No fuel pouring from the tank, only a small bit from the bowl when i removed it. Took only a couple minutes and spilled maybe a cup of fuel. This will be my procedure from now on.
In the past I had extra bowls and tried to do the swap as quickly as possible, but still had a steady flow of fuel from the tank - it was a mess. I asked at Camp Freightliner if there was a trick to changing fuel filters and Mike Cody just said "you gotta be quick" - thanks!

Safe travels,