First fuel filter change on D-Max...whoa!

[ccole]

Hello friends,
Long time reader, but first time post in the Duramax forum. (formerly a 6.2 diesel and Ford IDI and PowerStroke owner). ----I finally seen the light and got a new Dmax back in June.
Anyway, I changed the factory fuel filter this evening (I only have approx 4500 miles on the truck, but I am kinda "anal"ytical about changing filters too often.) I Replaced the OEM with a Fleetguard FF5501 (being a John Deere parts manager, I just gotta stick to Fleetguard). Whoa.....what a tight fit changing those filters! After unscrewing the filter from the housing, I removed the filter from the top side, between the turbo intake pipe and the a/c line. Had to hold my tongue just right and work a little to get it out. Is there an easier way to do this? Can a guy remove the filter from the bottom side? The only was I see to make this possible it to remove the inner fender molding. That might kinda be a pain in the a$$. Just curious what you other guys were doing.?.?.?

Thanks everybody and have a great week!

[jbplock]

Originally posted by ccole:
... I removed the filter from the top side, between the turbo intake pipe and the a/c line. Had to hold my tongue just right and work a little to get it out. Is there an easier way to do this? Can a guy remove the filter from the bottom side? The only was I see to make this possible it to remove the inner fender molding. Just curious what you other guys were doing.?.?.? ccole,

Congratulations on your new ride!...

Regarding fuel filter changing there are several methods folks use as follows:

1. Personally I prefer to remove the inner fender lining. It comes out easy in less that 2 min and allows full access to the filter. Some of us have replaced the liner's plastic retainers with RIV-NUTS (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=005686) and SS screws. (I did both liners).
2. Remove the battery then remove the filter from the top.
3. Slightly push & bend the AC line toward the fire wall (dmaxallitech method). then remove filter form the top. (after the first time no need to re-bend the AC line)

Here are two more threads to check out...

Filter Change on Duramax (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=006341#000026)
Fuel Filter (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=005699#000006)

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[ 09-14-2004, 02:05 AM: Message edited by: jbplock ]

[Tractorhauler]

ccole,

Where do you get your fleetguard filter and how many microns does in filter to?

Regards,

Mark

[Cliffee]

I just remove the inner fender liner. Filter comes right out. Ive never seen a reason to remove the battery.

[ccole]

Fleetguard Fuel Filter #FF5501 from John Deere for the D-Max engines has a 8-Micron rating. Is that acceptable? Thanks!!!!

[ccole]

Sorry to be a bother....just curious if the 8 micron rating on the FleetGard FF5501 is a tight enough filter for the DMax's?

Thanks a million!

[deerhunter7]

I think most here talk of a 2 micron filter. Just changed mine today. The Racor was black up about 2/3 rds of the way . The factory filter was only black about 1/4 of the way up . Can physicaly see why two filters are better than one. This is with 12000 miles on filters. I would add a prefilter with a 2 micron rating. Personaly I would not use a 8 micron unless it was an emergency. Cleaner the fuel , better milage , Less chance of injector problems.

[Mark-]

Who sells the racor filter setup for the LLY and how much is it? Where on the truck is it installed? :confused:

[deerhunter7]

Greg at lubespecialist.com . Mounts in the frame rail in front of fuel cooler. I live where it gets cold so I put in a heated one.