View Full Version : Fuel filtration...again.
O.K., I know this point has been beaten to death, but I can't seem to find the micron size ratings for the factory fuel filter vs. Mega, or others. Can anyone tell me right off?
The biggest problem in all this is that it's like comparing stereo amplifier wattages etc. Some mfr's are conservative, and some figure if it catches some particles of a particular size that it can be rated for thant size.
I've seen claims that the OE is 4 microns recently from Racor. What we don't know is if it has 2 layers of the same media or if the media was changed...
SoTxPollock
04-04-2006, 10:39
Filtration has always been a nasty business(pun intended). There is the nominal rating and there is the absolute rating. You really got to do your homework to determine exactly what means what when it comes to filtration. The more research you do the more you will appreciate the research those who sell the filter systems on this forum have done on our behalf.
Side note for John Kennedy, so your the virtual crewchief for BDMAX now or is he actually driving all the way there just to let you work on his truck?
Thanks for the replies, but everyone managed to dodge my question. I want to know if the aftermarket filters are actually any tighter than the factory filter. If not, there's no reason to use them. A better alternative would be to change my factory filter more frequently. I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but just looking for good information...
More Power
04-05-2006, 09:57
According to Bosch, the Duramax high-pressure fuel injection system requires a fuel filter that is 97% efficient at trapping 3-5 micron particles.
All filters I know about are rated this way - i.e. a percent efficiency at some micron size....
Two identical fuel filters in line with one another will improve the fuel quality beyond that of a single filter - simply based on its % particle trapping ability.
Jim
SoTxPollock
04-05-2006, 10:25
Changing the filter more often will do nothing to help stop particle sizes as small as 3 microns because the factory filter won't stop a 3 micron size particle at all brand new. If you want to look up the Racor RS60 in my sig. on Racors or Parker Hannifin's web sits you'll find its rating is 2 micron at 98 percent efficiency. Mind you thats on a test basis that they rate them not in real world conditions like mounting on the engine with vibration etc., thats another reason recommendations are made to mount them in other locations. The original GM filter only went down to about 10 microns and let the rest through. I haven't seen anything on what the new duel plete filter does, but I haven't looked since I know my secondary filter will catch whatever the oem doesn't.
Thanks SoTxPollock for this info....Exactly what I was looking for!! Is the Racor RS60 just the filter or is it a complete assembly? Where's the best place to get one?
And one more thing... Usually I change my factory filter every 7500 miles. After changing, I cut open the old filter for inspection. It is always remarkably clean (white, no noticeable particulates). Does that mean I've got an excellent source for diesel or that the filter isn't trapping ANYTHING?!
LanduytG
04-05-2006, 14:02
If you go to this page you can what we have in the Racor line. These kits are ready to bolt on.
http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/index.php?cPath=24_32
greg
So what would you guys say provides the best protection for the dollar? I know probably very difficult to answer.... Let's start here. Add a second filter or just replace oem with a better filter?
What product would you all recommend?
LanduytG
04-07-2006, 06:53
Add the aux filter. As to which system, they all do well its just a matter of installation and what you want.
Greg
And one more thing... Usually I change my factory filter every 7500 miles. After changing, I cut open the old filter for inspection. It is always remarkably clean (white, no noticeable particulates). Does that mean I've got an excellent source for diesel or that the filter isn't trapping ANYTHING?!
You cannot see most of what you are filtering unless you have a microscope.
My preference (Mega) is a post OEM filter of a super fine micron rating mounted off the engine and sized much larger than one would think necessary so that it does not load up prematurely.
http://www.thedieselpage.com/reviews/megafilter.htm
I have done a lot of reading on this subject and have come to the following conclusion: the new dual pleat OEM filters are made by Racor and should filter down to 2 microns. Also, I believe that most of the aftermarket filters available are made by Racor, and then sold to the other companies. Personally, I have a pre-filter of 5 microns before my OEM of 2 microns. Hopefully this keep all the junk out of my injection pump.
I have done a lot of reading on this subject and have come to the following conclusion: the new dual pleat OEM filters are made by Racor and should filter down to 2 microns. Also, I believe that most of the aftermarket filters available are made by Racor, and then sold to the other companies. Personally, I have a pre-filter of 5 microns before my OEM of 2 microns. Hopefully this keep all the junk out of my injection pump.
Reading this, it would seem that with the improvements to the OEM filter, just changing it more often would provide the level of filtering desired. Say every 5,000 miles instead of 15,000?
Thoughts?
JK - Do you sell the OEM fuel filter or it's equivalent?
AndyU's comment above is exactly what I was thinking when I started this whole discussion. Since then, I read the available info (see link in Kennedy's last post) and was convinced that even if the factory elements are improving, there's still benefit in additional filtering. I ordered a MEGA filter. I do have one question for Kennedy though...what's the deal with this air-vapor problem? Your website indicated you have a simple fix for this on a post-OEM install?
LanduytG
04-10-2006, 16:06
Extra filtration is ALWAYS good. Even if you had a 10 micron filter in front of the OEM that would take a big load off the OEM so it would do even a better job.
Greg
I have OE replacements on my site. ALL OE replacements are Racor. It only took 4 versions to finally get one that does fairly well, but now it loads quickly due to limited size.
The dmax fuel system has a lot of air in it due to the lack of a lift supply. This could accumulate in the Mega and allow a drain back. I now have an internal micro orifice to allow this air to pass. That or adding lift psi will also help. Air is no longer an issue with the Mega filter, and those who run pressurised fuel supply often find that their truck runs smoother and more responsive.
In order to get decent results, filters require multi-pass of fluids. Adding a second filter of equal or better quality doubles (or betters) the effeciveness on each pass. There are those who will argue that they have run many thousands of miles without additives or improved filtration. This is true for some, but the opposite for many more. It just makes sense to protect your investment...
Inspector
04-10-2006, 21:17
John:
As you know I have one of the original Mega filter systems on my 03. At the time of installation I had the orfice installed to remove the entrapped air that might accumulate. Now that that system has been in use for some time, has there been any reports of problems that arose from bleeding the air from the dirty side to the clean side and maybe gulping a bit of dirty fuel in the process as is in my setup?
I have wondered about future problems that may be caused by a small amount of dirty fuel getting by the filtering process.
Also if I install a lift pump, should I remove the orfice and close the hole?
Just wondering.
Denny
The way that I look at it, the orafice is so smal compared to the main flow along with the fact that only "light" stuff like air will float up, you are only seeing maybe a fraction of a fraction of a percentage of flow go through this bleed. If a lift pump is added, a guy could always fill it with a dab of silicone or just leave it.
Question for Kennedy....I bought a MEGA filter, and am getting ready to install it. Originally I was planning a post-OEM install, but am now wondering if pre-OEM would not be better for priming and air elimination. Unless I missed something, it seems there's no air bleed on the MEGA filter, without disconnecting the "out" line. Have I missed something?
If I install pre-OEM, then I have the factory pump and air bleed to assist with air removal....
Unless I missed something, it seems there's no air bleed on the MEGA filter, without disconnecting the "out" line.
vetman,
Assuming John hasn't changed the design, there is a small bleeder valve on top of the filter head ... see the Mega Filter Product Review (http://www.thedieselpage.com/reviews/megafilter.htm) for a picture that shows the bleeder location. With the filter installed, the bleeder can be accessed from the top with a long flat blade screwdriver. I added a vacuum/pressure gauge (http://community.webshots.com/photo/77018086/1078007628033933568dTiRDx) to the bleeder port on mine... it's used to monitor/set the pressure on my Lift Pump (http://community.webshots.com/album/77018086bLHHHC) set up.
:)
Question for Kennedy....I bought a MEGA filter, and am getting ready to install it. Originally I was planning a post-OEM install, but am now wondering if pre-OEM would not be better for priming and air elimination. Unless I missed something, it seems there's no air bleed on the MEGA filter, without disconnecting the "out" line. Have I missed something?
If I install pre-OEM, then I have the factory pump and air bleed to assist with air removal....
In order to bleed you need to pump INTO the filter so a pre OEM install would not allow this. There is a bleeder on the head, AND a small orifice that can be added for an internal air bypass for those not using lift pump supply.
Sorry, I guess I didn't look close enough at the supplied parts kit. I haven't started the install yet, -or even unboxed everything. If I go with the post-OEM install, which seems to be the recommended way, do I definitely need to install the bypass orifice?
And many thanks for all the help. I really appreciate the the information.
O.K. Completed the install of the MEGA filter post-OEM. Very impressed with the ease of installation and how complete the instructions are. No problems. Afterward, started the truck, ran 2 seconds and stalled. Did a quick air bleed (OEM + MEGA) re-started and ran GREAT. Thanks JK for the excellent products and advice.
Sounds good! The Mega kit is one of those things that must be seen/felt to be truly appreciated...
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