Community Forums

757driver · 10-27-2016, 04:51 PM

Changed the DEF filter today, easy job. Bought the 1 1/16" 12 point socket at Home Depot for $4.48. The Cummins DEF filter part number for the ISL is 5303604, about $55.00. After removing the cap the center piece comes out and then the filter with the use of the removal tool (filter was tight so a little help from a pair of pliers helped). Total fluid loss which starts dripping after the cap is removed was about 1/4 cup. The old filter was 2 1/2 years old and did not look that bad.

Mwoodofd · 10-27-2016, 06:47 PM

Don, I was at Spartan last week and ask for the DEF filter change as part of my service. I believe they changed their filter service to 100K miles. They did not replace mine... Glad it is easy - may have to do it, but I am only at 31K miles.

brobox · 10-28-2016, 06:31 AM

Don, Thanks for that information and the report on how the filter looks at the "time" schedule. It looks like that is a filter that could go more on the "mileage" schedule.
Good information.

Cruzer · 10-28-2016, 08:35 AM

Actually, I prefer to replace that filter annually, even though it looked good when I took it out. The SCR system is picky. If you get any dirt in it, or the DEF crystallizes, it can get quite expensive. The way I see it, the DEF filter can run just about forever if the DEF is nice and clean or get plugged up and fail quite early if the DEF isn't pure. DEF crystallizes easily so my take is that if you are refilling jugs with pump DEF or leave the DEF sit in the tank a while when parked the chance for crystallization increases so it's hard to put an exact time or mileage table to it. In my case I prefer to over-maintain the coach rather that take a chance on under-maintaining it so I just err on the side of caution and figure $50 once a year is a small price to pay for that big of an investment. Just my opinion.

757driver · 10-28-2016, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

Actually, I prefer to replace that filter annually, even though it looked good when I took it out. The SCR system is picky. If you get any dirt in it, or the DEF crystallizes, it can get quite expensive. The way I see it, the DEF filter can run just about forever if the DEF is nice and clean or get plugged up and fail quite early if the DEF isn't pure. DEF crystallizes easily so my take is that if you are refilling jugs with pump DEF or leave the DEF sit in the tank a while when parked the chance for crystallization increases so it's hard to put an exact time or mileage table to it. In my case I prefer to over-maintain the coach rather that take a chance on under-maintaining it so I just err on the side of caution and figure $50 once a year is a small price to pay for that big of an investment. Just my opinion.

Mark,

I am in agreement with your line of thinking on maintenance items such as this. I would rather change out something a little sooner instead of wishing after the fact that I should have changed it out sooner. Cheap insurance.

brobox · 10-28-2016, 07:41 PM

Marc, very good point, thank you. It will be changed before the next trip.

hobart22 · 10-28-2016, 09:54 PM

according to Spartian the filter doesn't need to be changed until it fails. they say to carry spare filter, it can be cleaned in an emergency and keep going till get new one, i carry a spare

Dieselgem · 10-29-2016, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobart22

according to Spartian the filter doesn't need to be changed until it fails. they say to carry spare filter, it can be cleaned in an emergency and keep going till get new one, i carry a spare

Why wait till you are stranded on the road somewhere to change a bad filter. I changed the def filter on my last coach (2013) somewhere around 25,000 miles . The filter was dirty and was a cheap safety measure. I ran the def to about 1/4 tank, had them drain the tank with the filter out. Then refilled the tank with my fresh DEF from Walmart jugs. I had Speedco do it during an oil change service. Next oil change, I will be changing the DEF filter in the Cornerstone. Small price for piece of mind.

brobox · 10-29-2016, 06:31 AM

Nice to know Speedco has the filters. I'll bet they are a lower price as well if they are anything like the fuel filter prices.

Dieselgem · 10-29-2016, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Nice to know Speedco has the filters. I'll bet they are a lower price as well if they are anything like the fuel filter prices.

Chuck,
I bought the filter on ebay. Just had speedco change it.

brobox · 10-29-2016, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselgem

Chuck,
I bought the filter on ebay. Just had speedco change it.

Thanks for that info, I will go ahead and change it myself as I have to change the oil myself. I didn't take a fall trip, so no Speedco in site and I will hit the year on the oil next month. Sure glad I had Speedco install the Fumoto valve

edgray · 10-29-2016, 10:07 AM

This is the first I'm learning about the need to change the DEF filter😱.

Assuming it is inside the DEF tank and wondering how it gets "dirty". I've been VERY careful to wipe the tank neck and cap down before opening and have used only the clean spout on a new jug of WM fluid. How does "dirt" get to the filter?

lanerd · 10-29-2016, 10:46 AM

Our coach is a 13 but only has about 12,000 miles on it. I typically do not fill the DEF tank and keep it with either two or three green lights and will add 2 1/2 gallons when it gets down to two.

Should I be changing the filter annually even tho I only put about 3000 miles a year on it?

Also, what is this removal tool that is mentioned and where do I get it?

thanks,

Ron

brobox · 10-29-2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanerd

Our coach is a 13 but only has about 12,000 miles on it. I typically do not fill the DEF tank and keep it with either two or three green lights and will add 2 1/2 gallons when it gets down to two.

Should I be changing the filter annually even tho I only put about 3000 miles a year on it?

Also, what is this removal tool that is mentioned and where do I get it?

thanks,

Ron

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