Fuel filter change frequency

[JMER817]

How often are you guys changing your fuel filter?

 

[vtsnowedin]

With less then 400 hours on it I've changed it twice when it was jelled up in the winter. So I'm keeping pace with the once per year or 500hrs recommended in the owners manual.

 

[oosik]

My owners manual recommends every 400 hours - I'm half way there.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I probably don't change nearly as often as most people.

I have two diesel tanks. One for the road trucks and another for the tractors. Both have fuel filter/water separator units at the pump. I keep the filters on the pumps changed, and just don't have much problem with the truck and tractor filters.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Depends. Small gas engines every 5 years. Diesel tractor every 250 hrs. Diesel truck every 25,000 miles, boats every year.

Chris

 

[HEC]

Much depends on the quality of the fuel you get . I always buy from the same source and have never had a problem . I have a 2006 M5700 and have never had to change the fuel filter , but then again it has less than 600 hrs. on it . I will change it this summer though .

 

[WilliamBos]

Tractor gets done every fall with the pre winter service. I keep one on hand just incase.

 

[PILOON]

I've made it a habit to change every fall B4 snow season and drain any grunge from the tank as I've been caught when it is just too darn cold.
That is also when I do my major maintenance like lubes, air filter and a thorough grease job.
Every fuel up I drain a bit of fuel 'just in case' and occasionally get a bit water or grunge.
As A pilot we'd drain B4 every flight an ounce to check for H2O so I have that habit ingrained.

 

[Looking4new]

I have 300 hours on my CK27 and it still has the original filter on it. If it aint broke don't 'fix' it.

 

[Gunny]

I have 300 hours on my CK27 and it still has the original filter on it. If it aint broke don't 'fix' it.

You can do it whenever you feel like it, but pushing it 300 hours sounds just a wee bit too long for me. Those things have a nasty habit of stopping up on you at the worst possible times. I hope you at least have a new one on hand, just in case.

 

[moriboy]

I change fuel filters once a year regardless of hours. It's cheap insurance in my book. Fuel related problems can be very expensive.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I change them when they look dirty. All my filters have see thru bowls and as long as they are clean, I don't mess with them. Recently I got some contamination in my B26 and RTV 900 from some unknown source. I have filter on the tank pump but somehow I ended up with a lot of dirty stuff in the filters on both vehicles. They were sparkling clean at 350 hours but stopped up at 450 on both vehicles.

I would normally change filters no quicker than 500 hours.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I only put about 75 to 100 hours per year on my tractor. I change the filter when I do the regular service. I could probably get by with more hours but it takes little time to change it out and once a year works out good for me.

 

[vabiker23518]

I changed mine this spring on TYM 223. Its 5 years old with only 180 hours. Was surprised at gunk in the bowl as I only buy diesel in quantities of 3 to 4 gallons and there is a screen in the gas cap.

 

[Looking4new]

You can do it whenever you feel like it, but pushing it 300 hours sounds just a wee bit too long for me. Those things have a nasty habit of stopping up on you at the worst possible times. I hope you at least have a new one on hand, just in case.

Two of them.

 

[vtsnowedin]

You can do it whenever you feel like it, but pushing it 300 hours sounds just a wee bit too long for me. Those things have a nasty habit of stopping up on you at the worst possible times. I hope you at least have a new one on hand, just in case.

300 hours would not be a lot for a construction machine or big AG tractor that gets 1000 to 2000 hours a year on it but of course they get fresh fuel almost daily and it never sets in the tank for weeks at a time. Our trouble as weekend warriors and hobbyist is that we don't put enough hours on the machine and they spend weeks at a time parked with condensation entering the tank and the waxes and sediment that were finely dispersed in fresh fuel having days and even weeks to settle out to the bottom of the tank and be the first thing to go to the fuel filter when Saturday or vacation comes and we finally get some seat time. So to me the "once a year or 500 hours, whichever comes first "recommendation makes perfect sense.

 

[big bubba]

sorry for asking the obvious. what does your owners manual state? in general, is it safe to assume smaller filters should be changed on more frequent intervals than say, for example, M series w/ larger filters? as stated above, of course depends on fuel quality and winter conditions. keeping an eye on the water separator 1st is a given. best

 

[JMER817]

sorry for asking the obvious. what does your owners manual state? in general, is it safe to assume smaller filters should be changed on more frequent intervals than say, for example, M series w/ larger filters? as stated above, of course depends on fuel quality and winter conditions. keeping an eye on the water separator 1st is a given. best

All it says is "as needed"

 

[murph1]

I use a Mr.funnel so dirt gets trapped before it can go in my tank. Have only changed filters on used stuff i bought.

 

[Redneck in training]

Our tractor is 10 years old, has 930 hours and original fuel filter. Needless to say I have filter with water separator on the pump. I also keep the tank full as much as possible. This thread reminds that I should buy the fuel filter and keep it on hand just for the case there is an issue.