Community Forums

Gasman 2 · 08-17-2015, 06:20 PM

When we were at the Spartan Training in June we were told to change the DEF filter every two years. This is the filter the filters the fluid coming from DEF tank. I did not find a filter number in any of the Spartan material so after some research was able to come up with the Cummins number of 5303604.The filter Should be available at any International, Freightliner, or Peterbilt or Kenworth truck dealerships. Cost around $ 55.00.
We changed two last week. One on a Freightliner M 2 with the ISC Cummins and one on our Aspire with the ISL Cummins, both take the same filter. Takes a 1-1/16 inch 12 point socket to remove the filter cap. If you have 10 inch or so extension that would make it easier. You might lose a cup of DEF fluid when changing the filter.
Was told at the International dealership that the same filter is used on the ISB, ISC, ISL, and the ISX.
Take about 25 minutes to change including putting the jack stands under the frame.
Also had a conversation with the tech at the Freightliner dealership and he told me they have had trucks come with a fault code of low DEF pressure. They changed the DEF filter but still got the low pressure code. Come to find out the dirty filter caused the DEF pump to fail.
The Freightliner had over 200,000 miles on the filter but was not showing any codes. The old filter did not look that dirty. So it will pay to keep the DEF fluid as clean as possible when pouring it into the tank.
The filter kit comes with a tool to remove the old filter.
Gasman 2

Gasman 2 · 08-17-2015, 06:23 PM

Should have written "old filter" not "oil filter".

Mr_D · 08-17-2015, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman 2

Should have written "old filter" not "oil filter".

OK, I wondered why you'd need to remove the oil filter!

BTW: You have an hour to go back and edit you previous posts so you can avoid doing another post.

Gasman 2 · 08-17-2015, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

OK, I wondered why you'd need to remove the oil filter!

BTW: You have an hour to go back and edit you previous posts so you can avoid doing another post.

Thanks, went back and did the edit. Don't want anyone removing the oil filter to change the DEF filter.

Mwoodofd · 08-17-2015, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the suggestion - filter ordered.

brobox · 08-17-2015, 10:58 PM

Good tip, I didn't even know there was a DEF filter. I read all of the owners manuals from cover to cover and I don't recall that being mentioned. Thank you for pointing that out.

wmpbauer · 08-17-2015, 11:37 PM

I hadn't seen that one either!

Pat Bauer, President
Entegra Coach Owners Association
2013 Aspire DEQ
Ford Edge

backwater4 · 08-18-2015, 04:52 AM

Cummins web site said replace DEF filter every 200,000 miles. Nothing about every two years.

Gasman 2 · 08-18-2015, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwater4

Cummins web site said replace DEF filter every 200,000 miles. Nothing about every two years.

The 200,000 miles number was what I was told by the service manger at our local Freighliner dealership. Their tech suggested not to go that far.
The every two years is what Gary May at Spartan told me, so go figure. The two filters we changed did not look that bad. The Freightliner had around 200,000 miles and the Aspire had only 13,000 miles. Changed them both didn't want to damage the DEF pump.

Gasman 2

rbr · 08-18-2015, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwater4

Cummins web site said replace DEF filter every 200,000 miles. Nothing about every two years.

Like most things related to the chassis on our diesel pushers, the mileage based recommendations from the manufacturers are designed around the fact that most of this equipment is used on trucks running 100,000-150,000 miles/year. In our case non-use can be harmful in different ways than over-use. The folks teaching at the Spartan Chassis school heavily emphasize the need to use the time-based service interval recommendations when we're not driving big miles. Things like condensation buildup, additive breakdown, filter media breakdown, fluid breakdown thru chemical reaction over time (DEF has a shelf life), etc. all factor into the time-based recommendations.

backwater4 · 08-18-2015, 07:48 AM

RBR, Thanks makes sense . Guess I better change ours .

hogdriver · 08-18-2015, 08:12 AM

After reading this thread about changing the DEF filter it made me think about my DEF jug. I carry an old Blue DEF jug from a Walmart purchase and I occasionally refill it at Flying J pumps. I noticed a few weeks ago that when I pulled the jug nozzle out, a lot of white flakes fell out. I guess they are dried urea residue. I have resisted using a jug and refilling it up until recently because I was worried about contaminants. Now I'm worried again. I prefer using the Flying J pumps but I gotta say at these busy truck stops it's hard to zip into a lane and use the neighboring pump with this crazy right door DEF!

brobox · 08-18-2015, 08:55 AM

As for cleaning the DEF nozzle, I rinse it at the outside shower. It is soft water, double filtered, then shake it dry. No white residue.

Ron, those are excellent tips and advise. I wish Spartan would put a list out for those of use that have not attended their classes, which I would guess to be 99% of the Spartan owners. I am still shaking my head on the "secret" of the DEF filter.

MRUSA14 · 08-18-2015, 08:58 AM

I reuse my jug and fill it at FlyingJ too. Yes, there can be a flaky white buildup. To avoid contamination just rinse the jug well with water and then swirl a pint or so of distilled water inside. Pour it out and you have a contaminant-free jug.