View Full Version : Secondary fuel filter for 2005 Duramax
CaptainK
02-16-2006, 07:19
How many of you DMax owners have installed a secondary fuel filter and if so, do you think it's been worth the extra money on the kit and filters, i.e., saved your fuel injection system from failure? Just read about the new kit on the 6600 Dmax BB that's sold at Lubrication Specialist for $175 and was wondering if I really need the second filter. I noticed it comes with a Baldwin which I can get at my local Fleet Pride store probably for a low price since it's a pretty std filter. My OEM filter costs about $30 from Fleet Pride and close to $40 from Advanced Auto and Auto Zone. Any input would be appreciated!
Secondary filtration is simply a good idea. The OEM filter is much improved, but still leaves room for improvement. If you are going to do secondary filtration, I would suggest that the secondary unit be BETTER and preferrably much larger than the OEM unit.
When I set up my Mega kit, my keys were maximum efficiency, long filter service life, simple plumbing, OFF engine location for less vibration, and the albility to plumb as pre or post OEM. The under air box tray location lends itself well to servicing at the same time as you do your OE unit and you can replace the filter without spilling smelly fuel on the engine. The size of the elements allows you to run 30k+ in most cases or an annual service. The media is also a water stripping type which helps shed off water if present.
Mdrag recently had a finding of a bunch of NASTY gunk in his Mega filter. All stuff that had passed through his OEM dual pleat filter...
CaptainK,
What John said ...
Also check out the following for more info...
Injectors, fuel additives, fuel filters, & fuel tests (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=009349#000000)
smile.gif
CaptainK
02-16-2006, 11:20
I see most of this dialogue is from 2002 and my 2005 Dmax has a rather large OEM filter. Did GM change the filter based on these injector problems and if so is it still a concern? I do realize it won't hurt to add a 2nd filter but am curious. Also, my 2005 Dmax as I understand it has a 5 yr, 100K mile warranty. Was the warranty increased because of the injector problems b/c I thought i would get the std 3 yr/36 warranty and was surprised. I still have some more reading to do on the info you sent me and plan to. Thanks for your help.
The OE fuel filter has seen numerous revisions. The latest is somewhat larger, and dual layer, but still tiny compared to the Mega.
William Lee Gingerich
02-16-2006, 14:31
As a duramax owner I would recommend a second filter. I have personally installed 3 of Kennedy diesels Mega filters on 3 trucks and am very happy with them. The new GM express vans with the Duramax have 2 filters so my suspiction is GM is recognizing the importance of dual filteration. As Kennedy says don't skimp on your fuel system. I would also recommend a Filtermag on your fuel filter as I have cut open some of my filters with a filtermag installed and seen the fine particals. Do a search on fuel filtration, there is a ton of good reading here.
LanduytG
02-16-2006, 17:16
Any extra fuel filtration is better than none at all. Any of the aftermarket filters available are a good choice. It all comes down to were you want it located.
Whats really funny is the Power Stroke has been using dual filters for sometime and Racor makes those for Ford as well. So that tells me that Racor knows what it takes, its just that GM does not want to spend the bucks.
Greg
I have done a number of small items for the engine. The MEGA FILTER has worked well as I'm sure any larger, tighter filter would. Very pleased with the MEGA.
Steve
Springcrik
02-16-2006, 19:43
Newbie to D/max's question:
1) What size is the fuel supply line from the tank... nearest I can come up with is 1/2" I.D, or is this metric?
2) If you are going to mount a filter pre-OEM, is it better to put it under the air box (I think the Kennedy goes there)(I can weld OK) or in the LH rear fender well(********) or close to the fuel tank (Racor from Maesco.com)
I haven't got underneath my 05 yet to sort this out, but plan to start on it this weekend.
Some say the rear fender well area isn't dirty, but I think it's a filthy location exposed to cast off from both the front and rear wheels. I can't see hanging a filter there.
Originally posted by Springcrik:
1) What size is the fuel supply line from the tank... nearest I can come up with is 1/2" I.D, or is this metric? The hard line is
You know Bill now that you mention it, I do have a new Universal Fuel Filter kit coming that mounts inborad the frame rail. It is a modular device that accept direct attachment of my KD Lift pump (s) and mounts to the no drill bracket pictured in image 8 from the link below. The Mega elements will hang so that the drain knob is just below the bottom of the frame so I offer it with a shorter filter that still out sizes, flows and filters most anything on the market for the Dmax.
http://www.kennedydiesel.com/docs/BasicLiftPumpInstallation.pdf
What a guy can do with the prefilter (I still prefer the original Mega is run a bit "looser" of an element. Say a 10 micron unit to take the load off of the OE filter as we've seen the newest OE filter load up pretty fast when fuel is dirty.
Originally posted by CaptainK:
How many of you DMax owners have installed a secondary fuel filter and if so, do you think it's been worth the extra money on the kit and filters, i.e., saved your fuel injection system from failure?...CaptainK,
If you have not decided whether secondary filtration is worthwhile, THESE 4 PICTURES OF MY POST OEM MEGA FILTER WITH 13.3K MILES ON IT (http://community.webshots.com/album/91806272mLISUS) may help you make up your mind.
The OEM fuel filters were changed at no more than 5.2K miles - most were changed at around 3K miles. IIRC, the last two (maybe three) fuel filters were the new improved :rolleyes: dual media type.
BTW, the WIF light has NEVER turned on - I even purchased a new WIF sensor and have a sensor pre-installed on a new fuel filter to speed up servicing :eek:
little bear
02-21-2006, 22:19
Hi this is the first time for me posting a message. Been reading for a while though. jbplock ware did you get that frame mounted lift pump/filter combo at? I would be very interested in getting myself one of those. I like the location. Also what is the cost for the unit and replacement filter?
Thanks
little bear,
I used an AC Delco EP158 (or EP309) lift pump with a Stanadyne FM100 (http://www.reliableindustries.com/catalog/STN/fm100.php) filter mounted on a home-made bracket - see parts list (http://community.webshots.com/album/77018086bLHHHC/1). (The EP158/309 is used on the older GM 6.5L TD) If I was doing it again today I would use John Kennedy
little bear
02-22-2006, 10:38
Thanks jbplock. It looks like I will have to get a hold of Kennedy. Just one more ? I came across the post about the express vans with the D-max in it and how it had lift pump and filter set up from the factory. Now do you thing that it would be better to try and use that one or go with the Kennedy set up?
Thanks for the info.
If someone with a G van could verify the existence of a lift pump that would be great. Quite often these things don't actually make production.
little bear
02-24-2006, 00:05
Kennedy,
Do you have an all in one kit that mounts to the frame kind of like jbplock's? And how much is the cost?
Also my truck is a 02 GMC 2500HD D-Max with a ZF-6.
Thanks much, Bear
Yes I do Drop me an email and I'll send you pics.
John,
In case you missed it, the express van Prefilter/Lift pump was pointed out by Buck in the following thread ..
express duramax (http://72.22.76.69/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=21921&page=2)
Wurk_truk then took/posted the following pictures (nice!)...
http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1071/4257988/8938680/129019818.jpg, diesel fired block heater
http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1071/4257988/8938680/129019815.jpg, Liftpump (& prefilter?)
http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1071/4257988/8938680/129019813.jpg, Liftpump (& prefilter?) feeding Fuel Filter
Very interesting ... anyone have any more details?
:)
If someone with a G van could verify the existence of a lift pump that would be great. Quite often these things don't actually make production.
GM's Service Information shows the what they call a diesel fuel conditioning module which combines a water separator, an electric fuel prime pump, a fuel heater element, and a filter element. Fuel then flows to a secondary filter and then to the high pressure pump. The pump is mainly there to prime the system after a filter change. I'm guessing it may be needed to supply fuel on vehicles that have the accessory diesel powered coolant heater as well. Will keep my eyes open for a failed one I can disassemble and see the inner workings.
Stumo
I'm wondering why the van gets a lift pump and not the trucks. Initially, I figured maybe the injection pump was different (power reduction etc) and maybe this was the primary pump. Then I thought maybe the tank was lower in relation to the engine, but I guess the simplest answer is to ease the replacement of elements as there's not much room to mount a hand pump...
I'm wondering why the van gets a lift pump and not the trucks. Initially, I figured maybe the injection pump was different (power reduction etc) and maybe this was the primary pump. Then I thought maybe the tank was lower in relation to the engine, but I guess the simplest answer is to ease the replacement of elements as there's not much room to mount a hand pump...
That's exactly the reason being given out by GM...no hand pump to prime the system after servicing. I'm wondering if it runs all the time or just 10 secs or so after key on to prime. Will have to try and find that out.
Stumo
FWIW, my secondary filter mounts where the second alternator would go with a bracket. This works great if you do not have 2 alternators, and the filter is right on the top front of the engine for easy access.
The second alternator position is definitely convenient, but IMHO it does not allow sufficent room to mount an appropriately sized element. If you are into fine filtration size matters. The engine mounted location also exposes the filter, lines etc. to full heat and vibration of the engine while in operation.
I'd also be curious how well you do at not spilling fuel on the engine when you change filters...
Looked at the dual filter setup on a 2006 LLY equipped Chevy Express van today. Learned some things along the way. The Diesel Fuel Conditioning Module (DFCM) I referred to earlier is the first stop after coming out of the tank. It's primary filter is a 10 micron cartridge inside a plastic housing that contains the WIF sensor probes and a water drain. In the main housing there is definitely a pump. Using the new digital pressure/vacuum gauge the dealers all have, I watched the pressure rise as I keyed up. Key On but engine still Off the pressure rose to 30 psi every key cycle I made. Starting the engine resulted in the pressure soon dropping to 2.5 inches Hg of vacuum. This was a van in dealer demo service that had about 5k on it. Hooking up a scan tool I could see the ECM command the pump on with key On and command it Off as soon as the engine started. So it appears this is strictly a priming pump not one for continuous duty. With the small size of the filter and what appears to be a pump designed for a light duty cycle, I don't see much other use for the DFCM other than what it was originally designed for. The secondary filter on the van was the dashed black stripe model that looked just like what the pickups used prior to the release of the current stepped can design. I'm still gonna lay may hands on one of these DFCM's one of these days and see just what's inside.
Stumo
Haven't changed the filter yet, but plan to use a plastic bucket and and a couple of rags to prevent that problem.
Stumo,
Thanks for the info on the express van filter set up .. very interesting! I wonder if we will see an OEM 10 Micron prefilter show up on the trucks .. ?
:)
With American diesel fuel being what it is, a secondary fuel filter just seems prudent. I have one assembled from Caterpiller parts mounted in the left wheel well. It's not the best location, but a simple plastic shield keeps it relatively clean. I plan on installing a larger fuel tank, which nixed the location between the frame rails and I am adding a exhaust brake compressor to the second alternater location, so the wheel well seemed easiest at the time. It's been there for about three years with no problems and no goo.
TC
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