Finally got around to changing the fuel filters on the '08 and it appears to have black filter syndrome, although I have no idea how long the previous filter was in. Manufacture Date was early '09 so it had been changed just no idea when. Anyway does anyone know which all additives help with this? I've found the 4Plus Black Filter Eliminator, through Google, I use Diesel kleen with every tank but it doesn't appear to say much about helping with black filter. The truck also took a ton of priming to get it to start and run, I never once had that problem with the 6.0L after changing filters. Finally looked it up in the book and said 6 cycles of the key, was I lucky with the 6.0L or did something change between them?

 

Ive never heard of this before?

(So Im sorry, im of no help!)

 

Look at the old filters. Were them OEM. I would assume so. Is there an FF on the bottom of either one? If so then they were never changed.

Diesel Kleen imho is fine to run but to tell you the truth I have only put it in mine once every 20K or so.

Secondly don't run bio fuels and that will help keep things cleaner.

 

No they were not stock filters, truck is an '08 filters are Wix and were made in '09 as I
stated, plus I doubt the truck would be running at 80K miles with original filters. I don't
run bio fuels or ethanol crap in gas if at all possible.

The short story on black filters is the ULSD and high injector pressures returning fuel to
the tank and running it back through the filters causes them to gum up with black crap
that derives from the high heat of the highly pressurized injectors. When you change
your filters they are completely black and can eventually kill fuel flow resulting in failure
of injectors. Supposedly one side effect is more regens, of which I get 4-5 per tank.
Last trip I took towing it regened almost every 110 miles and dropped the mileage 1-2
tenths every single time. One of the reasons I use diesel kleen is to help with that
but I also want to keep these filters from gumming up.

One of many sites that describe it more and has a pic:
EGO - New Formula

 

I didn't see where you had said that they were wix.

My filters have never ever been black.

 

I had the same issue with 6.4L. I got a hold of some bad diesel, and I knew it immediately. It caused lots of smoke, black filters, and even an idiot light to pop up. I changed filters five times in 10K miles and treated every tank with OptiLube. No more black filters. Just go overboard with filter changes and fuel additives. It's better than paying for a new pump and injectors.

 

I have 105,000 on truck and never have had black filters. Filter changes every 10,000 and I do not think you will.

 

senix......why only 20K for fuel additive?...the mechanics at my dealership say every time you fuel....and I don't use diesel kleen...motorcraft brand...I only ask because you seem to know what ur talking about when it comes to the 6.4L....would have PM'd this but I couldn't figure out how....:-0

 

You can't PM till you get 25 posts on FTE. I did get your e-mail.

It is just a why that I maintain my trucks. Using it every tank certainly does not hurt it. My beleive is it the truck is running good and your not having any issues...regens are spaced apart like they should...then just drive the truck.

I seem to average around 400 between regens and about 130 pulling my 5er so you can see why I leave it alone.

 

I know of the black filter syndrome and I use a product from DSG canada it also helps with keeping the DPF clean its a great product and excellent additive in my cold climate check em out DSG canada