help! cleaning fuel filter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
help! cleaning fuel filter
my 2004 6.0 is running like crap i think i need to pull the fuel filter and clean it....from a stop light ill hit the throttle and it be really lazy and hesitate then blow a bunch of black smoke and then itll run fine it does it every once in awhile...if i need to pull the fuel filter where is it and what do i do? or if anyone has any ideas to what else it could be and how to fix it im all ears thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
Read this instruction sheet, it's from the Tech Folder near the top of this forum.
FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN PROCEDURE
Make sure you change your fuel filters (2 of them) every 10,000 miles or every other oil change. If you don't you stand a good chance of damaging your injectors.
Don't clean them you have to replace the filters. Make sure they have the Aqua bloc cover on the outside of the filter for separating the water from the fuel. Any other kind of filter will damage your injectors.
FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN PROCEDURE
Make sure you change your fuel filters (2 of them) every 10,000 miles or every other oil change. If you don't you stand a good chance of damaging your injectors.
Don't clean them you have to replace the filters. Make sure they have the Aqua bloc cover on the outside of the filter for separating the water from the fuel. Any other kind of filter will damage your injectors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,665
Likes: 164
From: Cartersville, Ga
^^X2. Sounds like an EGR or turbo issue. If you are purchasing good diesel you can extend those fuel filter change intervals. Like mentioned in post 2, make sure you get the correct filters. Very important
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
Purchase Racor filters found Here . Or you can purchase the Racor Motorcraft filters from your local dealer. Do not put will-fit filters in your truck such as WIX and Luberfiner, they don't have the Aqua Bloc material on them instead they have resin which restricts flow and is hard on the fuel pump. Plus they don't filter out water very well. The filters are spendy but worth it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
These are the right filters:
Notice the film around the larger frame rail filter? That's the Aqua Block. If your filters don't have this you are gambling with your injectors.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Sorry to hijack this thread but I have alot of fuel coming out when I try to change the lower filter. I undid the water drain plug and it seems like over a gallon came out so I put the plug back in. I searched the forums and got conflicting stories about raising the front end or rear end. Seems like the front end should be up to keep fuel from coming from the tank? Any help is appreciated.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
Sorry to hijack this thread but I have alot of fuel coming out when I try to change the lower filter. I undid the water drain plug and it seems like over a gallon came out so I put the plug back in. I searched the forums and got conflicting stories about raising the front end or rear end. Seems like the front end should be up to keep fuel from coming from the tank? Any help is appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 2
From: Albemarle, NC
Dang thats outrageous! Just go to dieslefilters and get the racor for I think its $36 bucks for the set. 8.95 flat shipping so order everything at once.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Ryegate, VT
Sorry to hijack this thread but I have alot of fuel coming out when I try to change the lower filter. I undid the water drain plug and it seems like over a gallon came out so I put the plug back in. I searched the forums and got conflicting stories about raising the front end or rear end. Seems like the front end should be up to keep fuel from coming from the tank? Any help is appreciated.
Not much info but might help!
FYI- the filter up on top of the eng, you may want to find something to get the fuel out of the resivor before you put the new filter back in!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 90
From: SE. MA
Something i noticed in the tech folder; It said that it would be best if you did the filter change with less then a quarter tank of fuel. I did just that and got maby a cup of fuel out of the drain plug before it stopped and i was on level ground.
Not much info but might help!
FYI- the filter up on top of the eng, you may want to find something to get the fuel out of the resivor before you put the new filter back in!
Not much info but might help!
FYI- the filter up on top of the eng, you may want to find something to get the fuel out of the resivor before you put the new filter back in!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
I have changed my 6.0 fuel filters twice so far,,cut the top off a gallon milk jug,,my driveway is slightly uphill also,,seem to get about 1" of fuel in the jug,,then it stops. I buy my fuel filter set a the local International Truck garage,,,around $40
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
I've changed them on our three 6.0s with full tanks, half tanks, quarter tanks, etc. and always on level ground....never had a lot of flow when I pull the drain plug.
Definitely never close to a gallon.
Definitely never close to a gallon.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
I will defenetly check that out. 36 bucks sounds alot better than 75 plus tax.