Black Fuel Filter

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Nov 8, 2011 | 10:22 AM

#16

bulla

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2010

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From: Louisiana

The more I think about it it would have to be quite a bit of oil to make it all the way into the fuel filter. And if that was the case you would probably be seeing oil consumption as well as your exaust being a lil smokey.

Nov 8, 2011 | 10:24 AM

#17

clux

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Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 10,600

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From: Carhenge

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulla

Good question! Trying to remember if it was in fact a check valve. When I removed mine I remember thinking " how does this work" then drilled it out!

Yes, there is in fact a one way check valve where each fuel line enters the head and no fuel return path beyond them. It's what makes our fuel system "deadhead" while the pre-97 engines had a regulated return fuel system. It's also why people do the FRX and regulated returns on 99+ engines.

Nov 8, 2011 | 10:27 AM

#18

HH60FE

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,037

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From: Albuquerque

Yea, thats how it was explained. Not only was it bypassing back into the filter bowl but was also burning out the exhaust. Wasn't really noticable outdoors but once we got it into the shop and closed the door, ya could smell it (the oil).

Nov 8, 2011 | 08:20 PM

#19

F250_

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Joined: Nov 2006

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From: North of Greenville

One additional possibility related to the HPX or RR installation is oxidized fuel from the heat of having gone through the heads. If you use a fuel additive that is built to control oxidation, the filters will not get black or will only get slightly dark, depending upon quality of your fuel and/or additive. On the other hand, if you have fuel going through the heads with HPx/RR and do NOT treat the fuel with an oxidation-resistant additive, you will see your filter get black.

Nov 8, 2011 | 08:55 PM

#20

rbsample

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2010

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From: The great North East.

Would a Blackstone report indicate oil getting into the fuel or bad injector orings?

Nov 8, 2011 | 09:00 PM

#21

MikeSDK

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Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 547

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From: Tennessee

subscribing.....

Nov 8, 2011 | 09:30 PM

#22

F250_

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 11,286

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From: North of Greenville

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsample

Would a Blackstone report indicate oil getting into the fuel or bad injector orings?

To identify oil contamination in the fuel is almost impossible. Checking for fuel contamination in oil is easily done and is reported by most labs. One fast thing you can do for yourself is to simply catch a sample of your fuel from the fuel bowl drain and see if it's black. The oil will not separate, though.

From what I can find on the Blackstone site, they do not run fuel tests on diesel fuel, but there are other companies which do...

Oil analysis, Grease Analysis,Diesel Fuel testing

Diesel Fuel

Diesel Fuel Testing

Diesel Fuel Analysis: Fuel Sample Analysis, Filter Plugging

Regardless of who does the testing, you have to use a special container for shipping fuel samples through the mail, and the test lab you purchase the service from should provide the container for you as part of the kit.

The bottom line is that if you check out the company websites to see what gets reported in their fuel testing program, you're going to see that "oil contamination" is NOT something they identify.

Nov 8, 2011 | 10:36 PM

#23

rbsample

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Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 272

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From: The great North East.

Thanks Pete. I ask because I also noticed I had a black fuel filter. I have only had my truck long enough to have changed the fuel filter once and when I did that the cover was so hard to get back on without it leaking I didn't want to take it off again until I had to.

I also have to add a couple quarts of oil between changes but have no leaks from the engine.

AND I read on here that if the 7.3 was having blow by from the injector orings that would cause delayed starting when the engine is already warm, which mine does at times.

I guess I am trying to diagnose if I need to check the injector orings? I have never been inside the valve covers on this motor...yet.