Fuel Filter

[chevy4x4grl]

Hello,
Im new to the board and fairly new to diesels. I was wondering how to service my fuel filter. Its an aftermarket item from Racor Parker. It was on the truck when I bought it. I have included a pic. I appreciate your help smile.gif
http://www.geocities.com/princessleia831/fuelfilter.jpg

[john8662]

Without being too familiar with the Racor filter's I'd say get a replacement filter element first. Hopefully the filter and or base will be marked with a model number on it. With a model number, perhaps I can find a procedure for this filter design.

Generally when dealing with cylinder style filter elements that have an air bleed valve, you will install dry following a certain procedure for priming the element. If there isn't a valve located on the holder, you will want to fill the filter full with clean diesel fuel.

What I think you can do with the Racor setup is:

1. Install the new element, using only a slight dab of engine oil on the rubber/viton seal on the element, do not use grease.

2. Then, disconnect the injection pump fuel solenoid wire. This wire is the wire that determines whether the injection pump will provide fuel to the engine. This wire will be one of three wires going to the top of the injection pump It will be a thick red/pink wire. Just unplug this wire.

3. Open the valve on the bottom of the new filter element.

4. Either get someone to crank the engine over while you watch for fuel out of the filter or vice versa. Basically you will want to purge the air out of the filter and saturate it with diesel fuel.

5. Tighten the valve and then re-connect the wire on the injection pump and start the engine.

Just a note, the Racor filter housing might/should have an air bleeding valve localted on the filter holder/housing. If so, you will want to use this instead of any valve located on the element itself. The idea here is to remove air out of the filter, without draining the filter.

[Subzilla]

Also, you will have a 2 filter system unless someone modified it! Your secondary, smaller, spin-on filter will be under the air cleaner at the back of the intake manifold. I disconnect the fuel lines and unbolt the filter AND it's holder from the intake manifold to change out. Just fill a new filter with fresh fuel, then screw it on. This one will be a little more challenging to get to but after some practice, it can be changed fairly quickly. Enjoy the ride.

[john8662]

The '84 will most likely just have the one filter. 84 was the first year for the single element for filtration and water separation with the model 80 system.

[chevy4x4grl]

Yes I believe it only has one filter. I checked for another filter when I first bought it. I ordered the replacement element for my racor and will follow your steps when I recieve it. Thanks for the help smile.gif