How to change a fuel/water separator type fuel filter

[truckinjeff]

Little advice for everyone. Don't tighten the vent cap with the wrench. One of my biggest pet pieves is breaking the tabs off the vent cap because the last person to change the filter overtightened the cap. Hand tighten only until snug.

Also make sure the spring is in place in the dome. Without it in there, the fuel filter will come off it's seal and may leave all the expensive injection compents at risk of failure from dirt contamination.

[hopper1]

@truckinjeff From my experience, those tabs are broken more from people using pliers on the cap than the proper wrench. However, I do agree with you that hand tight is enough, but my wrists just aren't what they used to be, so I have to use the wrench to snug the cap down. Also, since I can't grip things as well as I used to, I use filter pliers to snug down spin on filters. I should mention that I don't tighten spin on filters however I want, I actually follow the instructions on the filter.

[ganda2022]

thanks, according to dealer, there is water in fuel tank-may be moisture. tanks heve drained atready, filter changed, now so far is good.

[ganda2022]

i got used 67Tvolvo670 for 10 days from dealer and everything was ok, now facing a problem with fuel-water separator filter. just drove first 100 miles and filter showing full of water, drained it twice with the gap of 50 miles. now again filter with full of water. what can be the problem-should i keep draining it, or if it is serious problem then go to to dealer to fix it. please suggest.

[hopper1]

@ganda2022 Are there coolant hoses connected to the filter housing? Sometimes coolant hoses are connected to the filter housing to act as a fuel heater. I've seen the housing crack and let coolant into the fuel part. You could also have water getting in at the fuel tank somewhere.

[hopper1]

@ganda2022 Also make sure the parts on the filter housing are tight (lock rings for the bowl, the fill cap, fuel line connections etc.)and check the seals to make sure they aren't damaged.  Are you sure it's water? With this type of filter the fuel level rises as the filter clogs. Once the fuel level gets over the filter it's time to change it. You may simply need a filter change.

[domepiece604]

hey hopper 3rd comment dont noe if previous worked. anyways how much diesel fuel do you fill it with after new installation. im a diesel mechanic apprentice and appreciate all your work related videos, really helps me thanks.

[hopper1]

Add fuel into the bowl until it is just above the bottom of the filter. About 1/2"

[Ohioladie2006]

Just curious... About how much do you make doing this for a living?

[hopper1]

Not as much as you'd expect.

[Tater314]

@hopper1 If your not making 50 grand a year, your working at the wrong shop!!!

[Tater314]

Great Video... You'd be suprised of how many people have no idea how to do it... This filter type is called a Davco... If you need a wrench, ask for a Davco Filter Wrench and they'll know what you are talking about. I love these for out-of-fuel road calls, priming is a cinch... Open vent on top, Fill filter all the way to top with fuel, leave cap cracked open, have driver crank and tighten cap before fuel reached bottom of filter or truck starts, if truck doesnt start, repeat.

[hopper1]

When I first started working on big trucks, I kept calling them "Dayco" filters, LOL. I finally saw a new one and realized it was "Davco." I like your method of priming after an out of fuel. I'll give that a try on the next one I run into. I also like the Davcos in the winter because I can fill it with 911 instead of fuel after either fuel filter ice up or gelling. A shot of "liquid choke" helps too ;)

[MRSketch09]

I remember my Trainer showing me this, when I was learning to drive.

Is the lube, just an extra step? I mean, with the diesel fuel on there, I would imagine the lube is just like an "If you want to step?"

Just curious.

[hopper1]

I use the lube (Lubri-plate engine assembly lube) for ease of removal at the next filter change. Especially on spin-on type filters, both oil and fuel. Lube a spin-on fuel filter with diesel fuel and spin it on per filter directions and... they're a pain to remove. The lube makes things a whole lot easier. Besides, the tube is always on my service cart :)

[MRSketch09]

Cool.

So this doesn't encourage the cap to the fuel filter, or oil filters to go bouncing off, from vibration?

[hopper1]

Haven't had a problem yet.

[MRSketch09]

Good deal. Thanks for the reply.

[cp8737]

Hi there, great video, chaning the fuel filters is a meaga important task especially on a diesel !, injection pumps / high pressure pumps and injectors are costly to replace when dirty and contaminated fuel gets in them and creates loads of metal filings that get throughout the system !, i seem to change loads of pumps due to contaminated fuel ! keep up the good work

oh yeah where did you get the collar wrench looks like a handy piece of kit i do the "click" thing too lol !!!

Charlie

[hopper1]

Thanks for the comment. I bought the collar wrench from the local IH dealer. You should be able to find them at any dealer or maybe even at truck stops.

[zebidee55]

Cool. Great to see a professional working quickly and smoothly on something. The job took less than 5 mins including a spoken intro. Well done.

I was watching Ice Road Truckers the other day and wondered why they get all the glory when you're working in the same temperatures all winter.

Good to see you using gloves. Dermatitis from fuel wouldn't be funny in winter.

Oh, and you forgot to make that 'click' noise that you have to do when tightening something without a torque wrench! ;P

[hopper1]

Changing this type of filter is super easy, but an important part of truck services. Spin on filter are just as easy, but make a bigger mess. Those ice road truckers deserve the praise they get. Sure, I work out in the cold, but there's no chance I'll fall through a parking lot and freeze to death ;) I wear gloves all the time. Not so much to prevent dermatitis, but to keep my hands clean. Wouldn't work without them. Lastly, I do the "click" thing often to joke with coworkers LOL.

[northstar2007]

Always wondered what those things were, Nice to know! Thanks for sharing

[hopper1]

Glad you liked it northstar. Pretty simple task isn't it?

[northstar2007]

yeah! but looks easy but I'll be willing to bet that there's some skill involved there..