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15K fuel filter interval here. Been doing it that way for several years. Now I will drain the separator at least monthly or more if I suspect dirty fuel.
The 15 K isn't really about the dirty filter, It's more about the plastic lid to the fuel filter assembly. The high pressure diesel acts like a water jet and just cuts away at the plastic until it fails and sprays diesel everywhere. I mean everywhere. It's a risk not worth taking. To each is own, but you can google the fuel filter failures and enjoy hours of horror stories. If I knew how to post the video I would. It looks like a garden hose with your finger over the end of it.
The 15 K isn't really about the dirty filter, It's more about the plastic lid to the fuel filter assembly. The high pressure diesel acts like a water jet and just cuts away at the plastic until it fails and sprays diesel everywhere. I mean everywhere. It's a risk not worth taking. To each is own, but you can google the fuel filter failures and enjoy hours of horror stories. If I knew how to post the video I would. It looks like a garden hose with your finger over the end of it.
No one really knows the issue for the failure. I would guess it’s more heat related than anything since at the filter is not high pressure side. Also a combo of build quality control as well since some fail right outa the gate
I drained the separator and changed my fuel filters over the Christmas holiday. Truck had just over 10,000 miles on it and this was the first fuel filter change. I normally fuel up at Shell and a couple of different local grocery stores that offer diesel. I towed a small 28' fifth wheel for a total of about 1,800 miles since I bought the truck in November 2019.
No water observed in the fuel I drained from the separator.
Here is a pic of the used filter and the new one for comparison.
I'll likely make this a Christmas tradition moving forward! Used on left, New on right
A lot to consider. In your case "Peace of Mind" while towing that RV seems to be your concern. Changing filters at the beginning of the camping season eliminates some of the concerns an RV'er might have. Being your rig is stored during the winter, I'm sure you have your annual check list of things to get your rig ready to go. Being off on the shoulder of a busy 2 lane highway with outside temperatures in the 90's and no cell phone service can certainly ruin a good day of vacation.
Change the filter before you head out.
Good thoughts here. I just got a new 2020 F-350, hoping for better luck. I also plan on keeping a spare filter in the truck. It really is a simple 10 minute roadside fix if needed.
Without a pressure gauge on the inlet and out let side of a filter , there is no real way to know when the filter will fail.
The industrial engines, I am familiar with had pressure gauge on the inlet and outlet of the FUEL FILTERS and we changed the filter when the differential reached a designated differential.
With our vehicles we do not have this luxury.
Additionally , at many of our remote stations we had Diesel Back Up Generators with fuel tanks large enough for 72 hours of continuous operation, the capacity of these tanks ranged from 1000 to 10,000 gallons.
The fuel could be in these tanks for up to 5 or more years , even with weekly runs of the equipment the yearly consumption was under 10% of the capacity of the tank.
We added an Anti Bacteria additive to these Fuel Tanks to stop bacteria building up in the tanks.
My concern with diesel vehicles that are infrequently operated ( AKA low miles per time) is the potential for the build up of "bacteria" in the fuel tank.
I suggest using an additive like this if you fuel up your vehicle infrequently
As well as changing the Fuel Filters , ONCE a YEAR even if miles are low, spending $50 to $60 dollars ( for DIY) on a $60K / $90K vehicle is pennies on the dollar for peace of mind.
A break down to a clogged filter will cost you much more in cash and down time.
Without a pressure gauge on the inlet and out let side of a filter , there is no real way to know when the filter will fail.
The industrial engines, I am familiar with had pressure gauge on the inlet and outlet of the FUEL FILTERS and we changed the filter when the differential reached a designated differential.
With our vehicles we do not have this luxury.
Additionally , at many of our remote stations we had Diesel Back Up Generators with fuel tanks large enough for 72 hours of continuous operation, the capacity of these tanks ranged from 1000 to 10,000 gallons.
The fuel could be in these tanks for up to 5 or more years , even with weekly runs of the equipment the yearly consumption was under 10% of the capacity of the tank.
We added an Anti Bacteria additive to these Fuel Tanks to stop bacteria building up in the tanks.
My concern with diesel vehicles that are infrequently operated ( AKA low miles per time) is the potential for the build up of "bacteria" in the fuel tank.
I suggest using an additive like this if you fuel up your vehicle infrequently
As well as changing the Fuel Filters , ONCE a YEAR even if miles are low, spending $50 to $60 dollars ( for DIY) on a $60K / $90K vehicle is pennies on the dollar for peace of mind.
A break down to a clogged filter will cost you much more in cash and down time.
What qualifies as infrequently? Unless on a camping trip, I may fill up once every three weeks...how often do you use the Bio Kleen?
Thanlks/
If you are putting 25 or more gallons in every 3 weeks, and drive the vehicle 4 out of every 7 days , your fuel is fresh and have no concerns. If the vehicle sits for over 30 days then I add Bio Kleen.
I just drained the water separator yesterday for the first time. I bought the truck Sept of 20, and it has 11,500 miles on it. The fuel was perfectly clean looking, no sign of water, so I passed on changing the fuel filter and figured I would change it closer to 20 or 30k miles per manufacturer recommendation.....any gaps in my logic there? It did take 10 cycles on the fuel pump until it sounded completely purged which seemed excessive. Thoughts on that?
I wouldn’t wait and chance it. Don’t believe whoever said there’s no pressure at the filter, that’s so far from the truth it’s crazy. I have a video of mine with the leaking filter and it’s no different than a pressure washer. It really isn’t worth the risk. I actually started the truck to film it for Ford to go along with my complaint. Enjoy the results of a questionable design.
I just drained the water separator yesterday for the first time. I bought the truck Sept of 20, and it has 11,500 miles on it. The fuel was perfectly clean looking, no sign of water, so I passed on changing the fuel filter and figured I would change it closer to 20 or 30k miles per manufacturer recommendation.....any gaps in my logic there? It did take 10 cycles on the fuel pump until it sounded completely purged which seemed excessive. Thoughts on that?
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A couple of thoughts. Murphy's Law - You were right there at the filter. In my case, I'd rather change a filter in my heated shop rather than on the side of a snow covered road just as the snow plow goes by. But, hey, that's just me. Having a spare filter in the truck is preventative maintenance. When you do change the filter, cut it open and see what has accumulated.
If you wanna test how "plugged" your Filters may or may not be, get something that can read the Commanded and Actual Rail Pressures. If the truck is Commanding 30k PSI and the Actual is 26k PSI, it's time for a Filter change.
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