Fuel Filter Observations

936 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Captainmal, 3 mo ago

Captainmal

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago (Edited)

Changed my oil, oil filter and both fuel filters yesterday at 14,200 miles. . The oil was hideous looking. Jet black and staining the driveway badly when the wind blew draining oil outside the large drain pan. That oil just splattered and stained badly. Delete is the answer. Just do not know how I can do it like GDE did by using programming to stop that damnable EGR. Now the things to understand - fuel filters.

For the first time for me, the fuel filters were dark - both of them - both showed much grit in their housings. My thoughts are I had used aftermarket fuel filters and they did not filter well or I had lots of gritty fuel or both. Surprised me more that the CP4, taken out last Fall, was in for maybe 8,000 or more of these miles with no trouble before I had the CP3 conversion. Been sick for much of the past year and not putting on miles. Last oil and filter change was back in 2021.

Usually thee front filter is clean and you question why you changed it. Yesterday I had to pry that filter out. It was filthy and also noted the lower seal was round and not ovular like the Mopar filters are. My conclusion here is to use Mopar filters. I had two aftermarket ones and two Mopar. Put the Mopar in now. Probably trash the other ones and not use them. They held together but not sure the back one worked properly.

Also put in 2 1/2 gallons of 15/40 T6 with two more quarts of 5/40 T6 to fill it up. Truck sure seems quieter. Who knows?

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

97hmcs

· #2 · 3 mo ago

Maybe consider changing the oil once a year even with low miles.

Reactions: 1

sourdo

· #3 · 3 mo ago

Since I started with the Ecodiesel, and now the Cummins, and considering the amount of cheap Chinese knock offs, buying fuel filters online can be sketchy.

Thus, way back in 2018, I just paid the piper and bought my fuel filters from the parts desk of the local Ram dealer. And they are not cheap for the Cummins, over $200 for the two. But I know they are right.

@Captainmal, I've heard you mention in another thread you use bio-diesel often. Maybe try a different fuel?

With a 15,000 mile oil change interval, the "or 1 year" will catch me first. I think city driving is the oil life killer. Towing should be considered for shortening oil life.

I don't worry about it. In a lifetime of working around diesel motors, there were so many, I have never ever seen an engine blow up aka the Ecodiesel. Never. They just get old and die...... with oil blacker then night.

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Reactions: 2

DrivingZiggy

· #4 · 3 mo ago

Back when I was trucking, there were times that black microbes--more commonly misnamed and referred to as algae--were a problem. Perhaps that's what it is?

Reactions: 2

Cletus

· #5 · 3 mo ago

In all my years changing oil in turbo diesels, including two Volkswagen and my Eco, I have never seen oil that wasn't black as tar when oil change time came around. It seems to be the nature of the beast.

Reactions: 1

namretsud

· #6 · 3 mo ago

When I do my oil changes I put a large piece of cardboard on the driveway just for the purpose of catching the wind born drips. I store it in the garage ready for the next change.

Reactions: 2

Rye&coke

· #7 · 3 mo ago

Captain....you should consider a bypass filtering system. I put one on my Cummins and it made an immediate improvement in oil cleanliness. Every second oil change is when the bypass filter was changed and I just kept on the same 10000KM change interval that I used previously.
I removed that filter system when I sold the truck and it's now on my Ecodiesel.

Reactions: 1

John Jensen

· #8 · 3 mo ago

Capt,
You used 15w-40. Ram and Cummins say not to use that with their 2019+ hydraulic lifters, only use 10w-30 or 5w-40. I'm surprised you of all people would do that.
Hoping you are having better health this year, your lifestyle demands good health.

Reactions: 3

Captainmal

Discussion Starter · #9 · 3 mo ago

Mix - I have a slight mix of the 15-40 and the 5-40. Bought the 15-40 on a deal a couple years ago or messed up and bought it anyhow. Too cheap to throw it out. I did NOT know that the 15-40 was a "no no". Wondering why? Hot here in Florida and getting hotter. Would imagine the additive package is close or the same. Also thought you could use T5 and T4 oil in this truck. They are still good, just not as good. Will know in the next 15K miles or next year. Just because I talk a lot does not make me smart.

Found those Mopar Filters on Ebay at a good price. Wish now I had bought more as they were only a bit more than the aftermarket ones. Just got back from a rather tough and long run. Much of my run today was off-road in 4 x 4 through nasty sand and dirt. Had to build weldaments and put them in to hold targets on the 600 yard range. Bet the truck "liked" the exercise.

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Reactions: 1

John Jensen

· #10 · 3 mo ago

I don't think it's a serious thing but here's what Ram/Cummins says:
" 15W-40 grade oil CAN NOT be used in any 2019 model year or newer 6.7L equipped vehicles due to the new designed valve train of this engine. If this oil is used, it will cause deposits to form in the Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters leading to undesirable noise, and/or engine damage"

Reactions: 5

Captainmal

Discussion Starter · #11 · 3 mo ago

Interesting. I missed that.

Did notice the engine was quieter at start-up. The undesirable noise was actually desirable to me. Will listen into the future. If I hear different sounds i could then just dump the oil and replace with the 5-40. I have three gallons of it here and now seem to remember I bought that 15-40 to use in my quads, mowers and motorcycles. Heard good things about that.

Think I forgot why it was there, saw the blue jug and just dumped it in. Just two quarts of 5-40 added to make the 12 quart capacity. Thanks for the tip.

Reactions: 1

Captainmal

Discussion Starter · #12 · 3 mo ago

www.thedrive.com

Best Oil for 6.7 Cummins: Keep Your Engine Running Smoothly

Looking for oil for your 6.7 cummins? Our team of experts narrowed down the best oil for 6.7 cummins on the market. Read this review and save yourself time and money.

www.thedrive.com

Surely this is not the final word on oils for our engines but a thought.

I thought of trying the 15-40 T5. Never thought of the other oils mentioned here. Did notice a few comments about T6 in both 5-40 and 15-40. Will do more research soon. Surely I do not want unusual deposits in my hydraulic valve system.

Reactions: 1

John Jensen

· #13 · 3 mo ago

Captainmal said:
Best Oil for 6.7 Cummins: Keep Your Engine Running Smoothly

Looking for oil for your 6.7 cummins? Our team of experts narrowed down the best oil for 6.7 cummins on the market. Read this review and save yourself time and money.

www.thedrive.com

Surely this is not the final word on oils for our engines but a thought.

I thought of trying the 15-40 T5. Never thought of the other oils mentioned here. Did notice a few comments about T6 in both 5-40 and 15-40. Will do more research soon. Surely I do not want unusual deposits in my hydraulic valve system.

That article was updated 1/26/22 and is still recommending 15w-40, tells me to not trust anything they say. I do trust what Ram and Cummins say.

Reactions: 2

DrivingZiggy

· #14 · 3 mo ago

Addressing "Algae" in Diesel Fuel

AXI University said:
There is nothing worse than opening your tank to discover your diesel fuel is contaminated with “algae“. If this fuel were ever to be used, it could wreak havoc on your fuel filters and consequentially your engine. ...

A Common Misnomer
For decades, it has been a common misconception that the dark sludge forming in your fuel tank is actually “algae”. As a result, many still refer to it as such today. In reality, what you are actually witnessing is an over-proliferation of microbes in the fuel. ...
The problem of microbial contamination originates when water present in the diesel separates into a distinct layer below the fuel. This is commonly referred to as "phase separation". At this point in the process, you may begin to notice a dark layer forming in the fuel.

Another term often used to refer to this form of fuel contamination is the “diesel bug”. ...

Brokedownbutgood

· #15 · 3 mo ago

15W-40 doesn’t pump well enough during cold starts to keep the hydraulic lifters happy but since CaptainMal is in Florida and its hot it well be fine. But I would change it before winter. Once temps start getting around or below 40 F they really dont like 15W-40.

Reactions: 1

sourdo

· #16 · 3 mo ago

I've been using the Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme full synthetic 5w-40.

I bought my last carton (3x 1 gallon jugs) for $82 from Amazon delivered for my 2021 2500 Cummins truck. https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-Premium-Extreme-Synthetic-Diesel/dp/B06XFS3GQS?th=1

Cummins endorsed.

I would of used Rotella, but when I needed oil, there wasn't any around. The Valvoline is good stuff and I'm Ok with it.

I find trying to buy oil at a auto parts store anymore is a crap shoot, it seems availability is sketchy at times for any brand. Amazon makes it too easy to order, fast too.

Reactions: 1

John Jensen

· #17 · 3 mo ago

sourdo said:
I've been using the Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme full synthetic 5w-40.

I bought my last carton (3x 1 gallon jugs) for $82 from Amazon delivered for my 2021 2500 Cummins truck. https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-Premium-Extreme-Synthetic-Diesel/dp/B06XFS3GQS?th=1

Cummins endorsed.

I would of used Rotella, but when I needed oil, there wasn't any around. The Valvoline is good stuff and I'm Ok with it.

I find trying to buy oil at a auto parts store anymore is a crap shoot, it seems availability is sketchy at times for any brand. Amazon makes it too easy to order, fast too.

I've got some of that Valvoline, it's good oil. Also have T6, my go to oil. And have Mobil-1 Delvac 1 ESP, another good oil. Always use 5w-40 in my Eco and my HO

Reactions: 1

Captainmal

Discussion Starter · #18 · 3 mo ago

DrivingZiggy said:
Addressing "Algae" in Diesel Fuel

Had major issues with algae in my 1966 Ford 2000 tractor. It took out the injector pump twice before I figured it out.

Now i douse all my tractor fluid with an algaecide. Darn stuff is expensive but on my newer Tafe tractor have not had an issue. The big problem is the fuel in the tractor sits sometimes 5-6 months at a time unused. Going there next week and will fire it up and run a while. First time since early November. Just never know if that is an issue.

Doubt algae is an issue in my truck. Just because I have run it little the past 8 months did not mean I don't run it. Lots of church and grocery runs. Feeling better and towing small trailer tomorrow. Then toy hauler Friday through Sunday. Next week I do a run to Georgia towing little trailer. Time to see just how much trouble my engine gets into with that load of 15-40. Thats 80% like that since I added two quarts of 5-40 to make the 12 qt. fill.

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