Duramax Diesel Fuel Filter Issues

[stacktester]

I know us Duramaxers are pretty outnumbered by you Ford owners but I've got a question for anybody having a fuel filter problem.

A few months ago I had the dealer do some injector work on my truck and they suggested changing the fuel filter so I let them. About 2 weeks afterwards I was having problems cranking it. Sitting at a fuel pump after fueling it wouldn't crank. After checking some things out I went and got a Purolator fuel filter and it primed right up and had no more issues.

Yesterday it did the same thing at the pump. There was a parts store 2 blocks away so I ran over and got a Wix filter. I noticed it was a hair different where the priming plunger connects. On the old filter there was a raised section that wraps around the plunger and this one wasn't raised as much. After trying to get it going I had it towed to my shop where I had access to better tools. It hurt seeing her on the tow truck after she's driven 271,000 miles on her own lol. Long story short (too late) I went to Advanced and got another Purolator and installed it. After about 5 pushes on the primer it pushed the air out and fired right up. I had filled the filter up with fuel before installing so it didn't take much.

Just wondered if anybody has had similar problems. One thing I'll give Ford is they made it much easier to change fuel filters. I'm beginning to wonder if all the hype on filter brands really matters. I usually change my fuel filter every other oil change and haven't had issues with Purolator but the next guy will say Wix is the best. BTW Napa Gold filters are Wix made. I ended up grabbing 2 filters last night so if this issue happens again I will have it with me.

Another mystery is why this has happened while at a fuel pump. The problem appears to be a leaky O-ring letting air in. I was at about an 1/8 tank both times this happened.

Unfortunately with all the crap they put on the new motors I'm going back to gas when this truck expires. IMO there's no longer a benefit with fuel costs and mileage now that the new motors are so bogged down with pollution control. I have had 4 Duramax trucks and loved them all. It sucks they had to ruin a good engine.

One other thing. Diesel Dr and Duramax Forum have got some good answers to solving problems.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I missed your call yesterday, I am assuming this is why you called.

We use hundreds of NAPA gold filters every year at work and have no problems, we use them or Baldwin. Right now I run Baldwin fuel filters mostly due to better price but I do think Baldwin is a great filter.

Typically I get 15-20k out of a fuel filter but I am picky about where I buy my fuel and I do run power service and 2 cycle oil as an additive.
I doubt those filters went bad, most likely you have an issue with the filter base not sealing, it may be a crack in the base or you arent getting a seal on your filter, sometimes the o-rings are tricky, I use a little vaseline on mine to hold it in place while installing it. I have a little trick on the filters I can show you if you are going to be at FW over Christmas.
If you install a new filter it usually takes about 40 pumps to bleed the line and fill the filter, never pour fuel into these filters before installing them.

Text me and let me know if that helps any .......

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

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[stacktester]

I guess I've been schooled on new diesels. I'm fixing to text you because I want to know why I shouldn't fill the filter.

I wish I had taken a pic of the wix filter. I think you would agree it wasn't correct.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

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[Rhonda]

There is a problem with inconsistency in aftermarket fuel filters with any diesel (Ford, Duramax, Cummings). The only way to eliminate risking this problem is by using an OEM fuel filter, unfortunately.

Also, keep in mind that when using an aftermarket fuel filter that causes failure of injectors or pump, it can void your warranty (if your truck is still under warranty).

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

there is a problem with inconsistency in aftermarket fuel filters with any diesel (ford, duramax, cummings). The only way to eliminate risking this problem is by using an oem fuel filter, unfortunately.

Also, keep in mind that when using an aftermarket fuel filter that causes failure of injectors or pump, it can void your warranty (if your truck is still under warranty).

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[kskone]

I have two of these trucks (D-max) "02" and a "07" and use nothing but OEM filters in them, and change my fuel filter every 10,000 miles I have to agree with Scott dont pre fill the fiter use the primer on the filter houseing to prime no dirt or dust should be introduced in to the filter as like Scott said big time injector problems can happen trust me you dont want to fork over $3000.00 for a tear down to fix a injector! And my moneys on a bad seal in the fiter area check all the seals and the fiter houseing it self for hair line cracks, some times the grease monkeys put the filter on too tight and then have to wrench it off and in turn could have put a small crack in the houseing let us know what the fix is good luck K.

 

[Rhonda]

Anyone trying to void a warranty due to a particular brand of filter is in the wrong. I have heard of dealers doing stupid stuff like this and have encountered it personally, I have never lost the arguement.

I'm sorry Scott - I was trying to say it one way, and it came out wrong. lol When an aftermarket filter is proven to have caused the failure of the component of the vehicle under warranty, the manufacturer warranty will not cover it.

It is true they are supposed to have the same specs, but unfortunately, they don't always.

 

[stacktester]

Truck is running fine. Now on to the next ?. Are you using an additive like Lucas or Amsoil? I was using Lucas but a friend is an Amsoil distributor so I'm going that way now. I also want to know if you would trust running Amsoil motor oil for 25k miles?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

truck is running fine. Now on to the next ?. Are you using an additive like lucas or amsoil? I was using lucas but a friend is an amsoil distributor so i'm going that way now. I also want to know if you would trust running amsoil motor oil for 25k miles?

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[bigdisneydaddy]

i'm sorry scott - i was trying to say it one way, and it came out wrong. Lol when an aftermarket filter is proven to have caused the failure of the component of the vehicle under warranty, the manufacturer warranty will not cover it.

It is true they are supposed to have the same specs, but unfortunately, they don't always.

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[Rhonda]

I dont cheap out on filters and I always counsel to avoid Fram, its a long story but it is an opinion based on a lot of experience and study.

Agree 100%

 

[kskone]

I dont add anything to my trucks and both are worked far more harder than most people on this board that don't mean it's a bad thing I just don't do it and have never had any problems with the motors as far as oil change I change mine every 3000 miles ya I know it's too early but as far as i'm concerned oil is cheap motor are $$$ so to each there own, But Scott is correct oil analysis is the right way to go it also gives a insight of what going on internaly.

 

[becky1960]

I had contaminated fuel about a year ago on our Duramax diesel, after spending $ 5000.00 for new new fuel injectors and clean out of fuel system I now use a fuel injector cleaner every few tank fulls as advised by dealer. My mileage has improved to 20-25 avg betwenn 60-65 mpg, not pulling a trailer.

The fuel filter is changed every 5000 mi (10000 per manual) which is a pain in the neck. The fuel rail system is also a problem on Duramax. By the way there is now an App on Iphone ($100.00) to check all your systems on the Duramax, I hope to get it someday..

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I had contaminated fuel about a year ago on our Duramax diesel, after spending $ 5000.00 for new new fuel injectors and clean out of fuel system I now use a fuel injector cleaner every few tank fulls as advised by dealer. My mileage has improved to 20-25 avg betwenn 60-65 mpg, not pulling a trailer.

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[snocrossmechanic]

This is a great discussion to see what other do to maintain the vehicles. I have an 03 Chev Duramax and don't take near as good of care that ya'll do. It has towed race trailers and RVs all its life. I change the oil every 10 to 15K miles. Its been synthetic since about 5K. I have had 3 sets of injectors put in by the dealer (i guess its a known issue in the 03 and they do them for free every time because I am the original owner) and i hardly ever replace the fuel filter. Maybe once every 50K miles.

Listening to all of you makes me think I could do much better. With 205,000 on her she is starting to show some wear. The whole dash starts up after about 1 min now. There is a bit of rust. The heat/ac fan does not blow as hard as it used to. Fact is it has been paid for for quite awhile and I am planning to run her until she croaks.

I think I am going to head out to the parts store for a new fuel filter tomorrow. Have a good night all.

 

[kskone]

Hey snocross, my "02" has 108,000mi only one set of injectors and it pulls a inclosed landscape trailer 6 days a week in the middle of the season by the way the trailer weight is 7000lbs. I change my fuel filter every 10,000mi and it still starts every morning and runs flawless, I also own a "07" with 10,000mi (the wife owns that one) that we/she uses for landscape work and so far no problems...but we keep up on the maintenace as our worst nightmare is getting to a job and haveing a truck problem! In our business if it don't work like it's suposed to it costs us $$$$ and a delay both we cant afford or need. And just so you have a idea of the truck GMC3500 dump bodys with a dry gvw 8400lbs. 12000lbs registered.