These filters were changed just under 7000 miles ago. Ex is running rough and really weak. What causes this? Algae or a bad batch or two of fuel? Thanks. Mike

 

I would say some sort of microbe is causing that. I remember an F550 with a 7.3 that always had black fuel filters whereas all the other trucks running the exact same fuel was normal used filters at their change.

Josh

 

Wow thats crazy.

Was your last tank or two biodiesel? I think I've heard that it really cleans out the fuel system and brings a lot of that to the filters and can restrict them.

What's the gas station like for volume, reputation?

 

I've heard that too, but have never experienced that in practice. Big fan of biodiesel.

Josh

 

Thanks for replying! I've never run biodiesel to the best of my knowledge. The only stations that I've used are right around my house. I normally buy only from a little Valero station here (Ramona CA), which does a pretty high volume, but for convenience have purchased somewhere between 20 and 40 gallons from a "star" station around the corner in the last few weeks. Not that it matters, but it's a large, very nice station which seems to do a pretty good volume. My guess is this is the source of the bad fuel, I don't know where else it could have come from. None of my other fuel filter changes have looked anything like this, in fact they didn't look dirty at all. The only fuel filter that I've seen look like this was the lower filter when I first bought this several years ago, and I am pretty sure that it had never been changed . The jar in the photo is everything from draining the water trap, and I see nothing in it, not even water FWIW. So the question is, do I assume a fuel filter change will do it, change them and watch my fuel pressure, or do I assume I now have some microbes growing in my tank which are going do do in $80.00 worth of filters on a semi-regular basis?

 

If you are paying $80 for the fuel filters you need to buy from a better place. Also check on the below links for oil filters.


For instance:

Riffraff Diesel: 6.0L Fuel Filter Set


[PFF-4616] - Racor PFF4616- Ford 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Fuel/Water Seperator Filters: Pick Up & Excursion-REPLACES FD-4604/FD-4616 - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks

 

Yea, I also have heard that. I would imagine it depends on whether you've got any appreciable amount of stuff built up in your system.

Also, I've been thinking since my last post... who knows where they got dirty! Just because it's now reached a problem level doesn't mean that it was at the station I've used a couple of times lately. It could be my regular station, and it could be anywhere. In the 7000 miles on these filters I've done 3000 to 4000 miles on the road through 7 states. I try to find the high volume stations, but when you're on the road, who really knows. I think at this point I will put in new filters, dump in some Stanadyne, including in the upper fuel bowl, do the blue spring mod, and get the fuel pressure hookup done for my DASHBOSS. Then watch and see I guess...

 

Thank you, thank you!!!! The only place I've found around here for motorcraft OEM filters is Wallyworld, whose out of them 3/4 of the time, and the local stealership, who charges me $80.00. I'll be calling Riffraff on Monday. I really appreciate your help.

 

I don't know where exactly you are at, but if you have an International Truck dealer in your area you can buy part# 1847170C94. It is the exact same thing.

You can walk in off the street to their parts counter and they'll sell to you.

Dealers - Find a Dealer | International Trucks

 

Thanks Colm! I'm in San Diego county California and didn't realize that I had one so close to me. Do you happen to know about how much International gets for those?

 

In NH I paid $40.65 at the counter back in mid Feb.

 

Thanks, good to know. Thanks for the help.

 

Use coupon codes at Advance Auto and you'll get fuel filters for under $30.

Josh

 

I am surprised no one asked what brand of filter that bigger one is. That aint motorcraft, napa or wix or fleetguard.

 

Actually, they are absolutely Motorcraft purchased only from the Ford Dealership. No other brand has ever been in this engine before. I purchased them and put them in myself each time. I've been hovering around here way too long not to know better. Thanks for bringing that up though, that's always an important point. Mike