Newer Dodge ram owners

Reddog1 wrote:
I recently purchased a 2004 Ram. I will be installing the following $250 filter system, not simply to add filters, but to have a 4 micron filter instead of the OEM 7 micron filter.

Cummins Dual Filter Kit I plan on using the Donaldson P551313 Filter and Baldwin BF1212 Water-Separator.

Wayne

Hey Wayne, I read your link. This is a 2 micron filter, not 4. I bought the same filter. When you are ready to install, give me a shout. I'd like the practice on your truck first.

Reddog1 wrote:
I recently purchased a 2004 Ram. I will be installing the following $250 filter system, not simply to add filters, but to have a 4 micron filter instead of the OEM 7 micron filter.

Cummins Dual Filter Kit I plan on using the Donaldson P551313 Filter and Baldwin BF1212 Water-Separator.

Wayne

I had Racon (?) fuel system on my VW years ago - install by PO. '
Had to disconnect it as maze of orings develop never ending leaks.
When leak on vacuum fuel system leave no stains on the floor, they lower performance and kill the engine at some point.

billyray50 wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
Not a Dodge, but Ford recommends fuel filter replacement every 30k.
Since on 7.3l it sits on top of the engine and takes 5 minutes to replace, I drove 98,000 miles before engine started slowing down on the grade and I replaced the filter on side of the road.
That was 10,000 lb truck that used to pull 18,000lb quite often, so lot of fuel was pumped in that mileage, so I am with Fred.
Don't rush to ideas that were generated 40 years ago.

Good advice.. Just going to wait till Dash monitor tells me or 15,000 according to service manual. Going to call service department to see how much they charge for 2 filters and install.

I am very skeptic about dash monitors.
We drive Mercedes who since 1997 do have oil change monitors.
They reset to 10,000 miles intervals, but during driving extend it past 13k.
Sounds a lot on the same oil? The same models in Europe have 40,000km, or 25,000 miles intervals.
When with oil you have no way to tell unless you collect a sample and send it to lab, fuel and air filters are much easier on most of the vehicles.
I installed filer minder on vehicle who did not have them on air filter. Turns that with clean air in CA I usually sell the car before it need air filter. Some of them 90,000 miles.
On cars fuel filters usually are 100,000 miles rated.
We had them at 150,000 running just fine.

I recently purchased a 2004 Ram. I will be installing the following $250 filter system, not simply to add filters, but to have a 4 micron filter instead of the OEM 7 micron filter.

Cummins Dual Filter Kit I plan on using the Donaldson P551313 Filter and Baldwin BF1212 Water-Separator.

Wayne

billyray50 wrote:

rjxj wrote:
I have changed mine twice going by the dash monitor. I went with the better "Stratapore" filters at Genos garage. I also lengthened the front drain hose so it can be pulled down and reach a plastic bottle when draining. The sensor in the rear filter is removed and reused. Old rags, a lot of paper towel and a plastic trash bag help with the rear filter. The front cover will amaze you each time you remove it. Amazed that it didn't break even after being properly torqued. Genos also has good tech advice.

My dash monitor shows 28 percent till change at 10,400 miles. I also cut a piece of drain hose from home depot to slip over truck drain hose and drain into container when changing filter on 2006 Ram. How do you stow hose in truck permanently? Thanks for info on sensor.

I bent the front hose and stuffed the end in a hole in the cross member. I have a piece of hose for the rear that I store in a plastic tub with my grease gun and other messy stuff. I also have a piece of hose for my fumoto oil drain valve. It has a threaded fitting that goes in the fumoto but I dont install it until I want to put the hose on. It keeps it from protruding down as far.

I made a metal plate that is bolted on at the end of the steering stabilizer to protect the fumoto. I think that's where I placed it? I'd have to go look at it to be sure. The metal plate serves to deflect any tire debris or other things that might hit the valve. I'm not 100 % for having the fumoto but it sure makes it easy to change the oil no matter where I am. I carry the original plug with me along with 3 gallons of oil and extra filters all around. I do change the oil more often than the dash recommends.

Kayteg1 wrote:
Not a Dodge, but Ford recommends fuel filter replacement every 30k.
Since on 7.3l it sits on top of the engine and takes 5 minutes to replace, I drove 98,000 miles before engine started slowing down on the grade and I replaced the filter on side of the road.
That was 10,000 lb truck that used to pull 18,000lb quite often, so lot of fuel was pumped in that mileage, so I am with Fred.
Don't rush to ideas that were generated 40 years ago.

Good advice.. Just going to wait till Dash monitor tells me or 15,000 according to service manual. Going to call service department to see how much they charge for 2 filters and install.

rjxj wrote:
I have changed mine twice going by the dash monitor. I went with the better "Stratapore" filters at Genos garage. I also lengthened the front drain hose so it can be pulled down and reach a plastic bottle when draining. The sensor in the rear filter is removed and reused. Old rags, a lot of paper towel and a plastic trash bag help with the rear filter. The front cover will amaze you each time you remove it. Amazed that it didn't break even after being properly torqued. Genos also has good tech advice.

My dash monitor shows 28 percent till change at 10,400 miles. I also cut a piece of drain hose from home depot to slip over truck drain hose and drain into container when changing filter on 2006 Ram. How do you stow hose in truck permanently? Thanks for info on sensor.

Not a Dodge, but Ford recommends fuel filter replacement every 30k.
Since on 7.3l it sits on top of the engine and takes 5 minutes to replace, I drove 98,000 miles before engine started slowing down on the grade and I replaced the filter on side of the road.
That was 10,000 lb truck that used to pull 18,000lb quite often, so lot of fuel was pumped in that mileage, so I am with Fred.
Don't rush to ideas that were generated 40 years ago.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Diesel fuel is not nearly as 'dirty' as it was back 20 years ago. Now all gas stations are required to have fiberglass tanks, so you do not get the fluffed off steel, such as might have been found in a 30 year old tank that was installed back in the 60's.

Changing the fuel filter is normally not required that frequently now. Did you ever cut one open with a screwdriver to see if it trapped any dirt? Chances are it was pretty clean.

Yes I know - $15 bucks to protect a $15,000 engine. . Still it really is a waste of money to put that many fuel filters over a 5 year period.

Fred.

I know Fred ...you are right. more me worrying bout the 3rd generation fuel injectors...

in my 06 was every oil change which was 10,000 miles which was every 2 years :).
on my 2015 the dealer said "we tell everyone to just follow the recommendations on the dash for both oil and fuel filters".