Posted 2006-03-18 8:23 AM (#39015) Subject: duramax fuel filter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
Any tips on changing the fuel filter on my 05 Duramax? I usually service the truck my self. It's time for the filter to be changed, I've never done this before. Any Tips or Tricks I should know about? It doesn't look that hard. My husband is not a motor-head, so he's no help. thanks in advance.
Posted 2006-03-19 9:39 AM (#39054 - in reply to #39021) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
I never had a notice about a re-call. I did get the filter changed. It was simple. This is the second time the filter has been changed. My pickup has 21,000 miles on it now. they don't seem to last very long, and are very expensive, $46.00 a filter. the truck was acting sluggish and wanted to shut down on me if I pushed it very hard. So, another new filter. I'm not sure how long you are suppose to go before they are changed. Maybe I'm waiting to long.
Posted 2006-03-19 10:15 AM (#39056 - in reply to #39015) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by sinful on 2006-03-18 9:23 AM
Any tips on changing the fuel filter on my 05 Duramax? I usually service the truck my self. It's time for the filter to be changed, I've never done this before. Any Tips or Tricks I should know about? It doesn't look that hard. My husband is not a motor-head, so he's no help. thanks in advance.
This is for the '03, there might be minor differences.
The trick is to find the wiring connector that goes to the WIF (water in fuel) sensor and uncouple that without looking, since once your hand is in there you can't see it anyway. It has a little plastic locking tab that you need to lift with one finger while working the connector apart. I grip one half beween finger and thumb, the other half between pinky and palm. Lay it aside CAREFULLY and note it's orientation, since you will have to re-connect it with one hand later.
I use a strap wrench, just remember that you will be looking DOWN on it and you will need to turn it CLOCKWISE to loosen it - not really clockwise as far as the threads are concerned, but you will be viewing it from the filter mount end. If you lower it down carefully you can probably get it out with minimal spillage.
Swap the WIF sensor into the new filter using the gasket that comes in the package. It HELPS to prime the new filter with the fuel that was in the old one - if you didn't dump it on the driveway. Reverse the disassembly sequence, etc.
Follow the owner's manual instructions for priming with the little pump knob, maybe 40 or 50 strokes, you'll know when it gives a LOT more resistance.
Hubby should rest while you do this, most men's hands are too large for this anyway (-:
BTW, NAPA has the new filters now for a lot less than your GMC dealership.
Carry a spare, you MIGHT have to do this at the side of the road sometime.
Posted 2006-03-19 2:33 PM (#39063 - in reply to #39056) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
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Posts: 2689
I meant to say you'll need a bench vise or a fairly wide pair of slip joint pliers to take the WIF sensor out of the old fuel filter, hold the filter steady with the strap wrench - Hubby could help with this part (-:
Posted 2006-03-19 3:58 PM (#39068 - in reply to #39063) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
Thanks Reg. I got the filter changed. It's easy. Hubby was napping in the recliner. He's there if I really need him, you know for the heavy lifting and holding horses and stuff.
I'm not sure how often a person needs to change that filter. This last filter, I only got 5500 miles out of it. I must be getting some bad fuel somewhere. I'll see how long this new filter lasts.
Posted 2006-03-19 6:41 PM (#39074 - in reply to #39064) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by MIfarmbabe on 2006-03-19 3:34 PM
My '04 had that filter recall notice as well. What year is your DMax?
How often does one change those filters?
I'm fairly sure that all the old stock is gone, i.e. you can only get the new type at the parts stores (or stealership).
Frequency ? It depends.
As sinful said, 5500 if you get bad batches )-:
I've heard of people going over 20K.
I think the trucker rule applies - use truck stops, or at least somewhere that you know pumps more than 2 gallons a week to a VW rabbit owner.
Posted 2006-03-21 10:21 PM (#39250 - in reply to #39015) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
I'm a Diesel Tech @ a local Deere dealer and deal with these tierII engines on a regular basis. I am also a proud Duramax owner. I usually change my filter every other oil change or about 10,000mi but it really depends on the quality of fuel you get. Most of these Bosch fuel systems use a 2 Micron filter which traps particals far smaller than a human hair. These filters get plugged up very easy from rusty storage tanks or water. Try to get fuel from busy stations and remember cheaper may come at a cost. Also, there are many cheaper brands of filters available but buyer beware of quality. Stick with the larger suppliers; Fleetguard, Wix, Baldwin, or alot of the Napa,Carquest type brands are actually made by the OE manufacturer (ask the counterperson).
Posted 2006-03-22 6:19 PM (#39331 - in reply to #39250) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
Thanks for the information. I use NAPA filters now. I'll have to start getting my fuel at the Truck Stop instead of some of the local gas stations. The price is the same anyway. I LOVE my Duramax!
Posted 2006-03-22 9:02 PM (#39339 - in reply to #39331) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by sinful on 2006-03-22 7:19 PM
Thanks for the information. I use NAPA filters now. I'll have to start getting my fuel at the Truck Stop instead of some of the local gas stations. The price is the same anyway. I LOVE my Duramax!
Somewhere on one of the diesel sites there is a table of who makes the filters for whom. It varies by filter, but that table covers a lot of the filters in common use. I think Wix makes more filters than anyone else, including many for some of the other big names. NAPA is usually a safe choice and significantly cheaper than the local stealership.
Posted 2006-03-22 9:37 PM (#39347 - in reply to #39015) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
Any chance you are running biodiesel in your truck? We have some farmers that have starting running a 20% blend in their machinery and had to replace the filters for the first few weeks they started running the biodiesel. Apparently, this fuel helps to clean the tank as well and all the particles that had settled out in the tank move through the fuel system at the beginning of introducing this fuel to your tank. I am not slamming biodiesel in any way. I think it is a wonderful idea to help our nation's farmers. I have just heard from farmers that this is one of the start up costs associated with running it in their equipment. All have said that after a couple of tanks of the biodiesel that they stopped having any filter problems. So, it will not be an ongoing problem.
Posted 2006-03-23 6:28 AM (#39366 - in reply to #39347) Subject: RE: duramax fuel filter
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by robdnorm on 2006-03-22 10:37 PM
Any chance you are running biodiesel in your truck? We have some farmers that have starting running a 20% blend in their machinery and had to replace the filters for the first few weeks they started running the biodiesel. Apparently, this fuel helps to clean the tank as well and all the particles that had settled out in the tank move through the fuel system at the beginning of introducing this fuel to your tank. I am not slamming biodiesel in any way. I think it is a wonderful idea to help our nation's farmers. I have just heard from farmers that this is one of the start up costs associated with running it in their equipment. All have said that after a couple of tanks of the biodiesel that they stopped having any filter problems. So, it will not be an ongoing problem.
I am picking up bio blends with increasing frequency, in my opinion this is good. I carry a spare filter at all times and the tools to change it at the roadside if necessary - well, maybe not the waterless hand cleaner (-:
The bio diesel boards have discussed the clean-up phase for older vehicles and yes, it seems to be that a couple of extra filters will be needed in the first few months of the clean out of a 70s or 80s Mercedes. Given that tractors have longer life spans than most recreational trucks, you could expect the clean out of some of them to be more dramatic.
duramax fuel filter
