Water separator question
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 1
From: Sandy, OR
The video of the fuel filter change. Hope you don't get those cross threaded putting them back on with an impact wrench. But what do I know. Here's a link, takes her less time (per video length), without using power tools. This is a job the dealer likes to charge way too much to do.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
I changed my filters twice. The third time the connector broke on the return line. When it happens, don’t buy the oem harness. Buy the after market fixes. All are cheaper and will get you back on the road.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
Any idea if you could have done something different to prevent it from breaking?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
I don't think its anything I did. Its a weak spot where the connector necks down to the hose barb. it gets brittle from heat, then cold and the plastic degrades. I also believe this connector is notorious for causing the truck fires we see get posted. The connector, whether you change for filter or not, fails causing fuel to pour out on hot surfaces catching fire. I'm lucky it failed while doing maintenance and not on its own while going down the road. I went with the North Coast Diesel fuel line return connector repair.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 1,124
When those first came out, I mentioned this: While it is true, that the Alumnimum plug will be far stronger than the plastic OEM plug, and you will not have to worry about breaking it, consider that you are also moving the failure point from the 4 dollar plug to the filter housing itself which runs about 120 (current price on Rock Auto).
Plastic to plastic, with (freezing) water involved by design, I'd rather have to replace the 4 dollar part. Plastic on Aluminium, when water setting down on that seal freezes, I'd be too concerned that something in that housing fails.
Plastic to plastic, with (freezing) water involved by design, I'd rather have to replace the 4 dollar part. Plastic on Aluminium, when water setting down on that seal freezes, I'd be too concerned that something in that housing fails.
I don't think any of your post has a valid point.
But if I'm interpreting what you're laying down, the plastic plug will fail before the plastic housing during freeze?
Enlighten me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 73
From: Lansing MI
If you have that much water in your filter housing, you have other issues to be concerned about.
I don't think any of your post has a valid point.
But if I'm interpreting what you're laying down, the plastic plug will fail before the plastic housing during freeze?
Enlighten me.
I don't think any of your post has a valid point.
But if I'm interpreting what you're laying down, the plastic plug will fail before the plastic housing during freeze?
Enlighten me.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
There is a aftermarket replacement that replaces the whole upper file filter to metal, I would suggest that, I had my fuel return line brake driving down the road, lost 24 gal of diesel and very embarrassing, I would keep a set of the aftermarket quick connections in your truck and a pair of side cutters at the least, it only takes about 5 min to fix
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
I don't think its anything I did. Its a weak spot where the connector necks down to the hose barb. it gets brittle from heat, then cold and the plastic degrades. I also believe this connector is notorious for causing the truck fires we see get posted. The connector, whether you change for filter or not, fails causing fuel to pour out on hot surfaces catching fire. I'm lucky it failed while doing maintenance and not on its own while going down the road. I went with the North Coast Diesel fuel line return connector repair.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
due to the EPA situation North Coast Diesel has their website shut down. I contacted them on Facebook and they were a pleasure to work with. Below is a link to the kit I referenced. I like that it keeps the OEM filters but gets rid of the weak link.
https://www.facebook.com/NorthCoastDieselPerformance/photos/a.2439106466164476/2817426338332485?type=3&sfns=mo
https://www.facebook.com/NorthCoastDieselPerformance/photos/a.2439106466164476/2817426338332485?type=3&sfns=mo
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 1,124
Freezing is only one concern. More of a concern, and I suspect many who have suffered this failure will take offense is, gorilla handed operation. Yes the plastic plug will fail, and it is designed to fail before it damaged the housing. Replace it will an aluminum plug, and the plug will not fail anymore, as when the user just yanks on it, the expensive plastic housing has become the weak link.
25 years of diesel work, never of......you got some links or back up to this
Million of trucks at risk, we need to pass the word.
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