How often fuel filter changed? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lindajane · #1 10-29-2007, 09:58 PM

Hi,
I've got an 83 diesel named cupcake and i love her. i recently moved back to the bay area from LA and had to lose my great mechanic down there.
Can anyone recommend a good mechanic in this area?. Also how often does the fuel filter (the big one(I obviously don't know how to work on these)), have to be changed. This hasn't been done since I bought the car. And do you know a range of cost for this.
Thanks,
Lindaj

jbach36 · #2 10-29-2007, 10:16 PM

Not sure, but I think if you keep your pre-filters changed when they get dirty, you can go up to 30,000 miles on your big fuel filter. I tried to look through my manual, but didn't see any info on it.

Jeff 1991 300d, 112k

jbach36 · #3 10-29-2007, 10:17 PM

Oh, and the filter cost is like, nothing. $20 maybe. I'm sure it's a DIY job.

jeff

300SDog · #4 10-29-2007, 10:18 PM

Large can filters last a year easy. Its the little inline filters you gotta keep after. Sometimes they last just couple of months, depending how grimey the tank and fuel source etc. It pays to have replacement inline filters kickin around in glovebox. Who changes yer oil? They oughta handle filter replacement too.

pawoSD · #5 10-29-2007, 10:18 PM

I usually do mine every 2 years or about 30-35,000 miles. Both of them. Should take a mechanic less than 15 mins to replace both. And parts cost should be about $15-16 or less for both. ($10-12 for big filter, $2-3 for small one)

jbach36 · #6 10-29-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I usually do mine every 2 years or about 30-35,000 miles. Both of them. Should take a mechanic less than 15 mins to replace both. And parts cost should be about $15-16 or less for both. ($10-12 for big filter, $2-3 for small one)

When you say BOTH your filters, you must be talking about your small
pre-filter as the 2nd one. That should be changed when it gets dirty, which is like, once every 6 months or so. That's the filter to protect your big filter.

jeff

jkoebel · #7 10-29-2007, 10:38 PM

Don't forget new crush washers/O-Rings for the spin-on big filter.

Otherwise you'll leak diesel everywhere.

It's a $0.50 item that can really cause you annoyances.

H-townbenzoboy · #8 10-29-2007, 10:44 PM

I don't have a link to it, but I saw an 80's vintage MB service manual and it listed the fuel filter change interval as 60k mi, of course you should change it earlier if fuel flow is hampered by dirt.

pawoSD · #9 10-29-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

When you say BOTH your filters, you must be talking about your small
pre-filter as the 2nd one. That should be changed when it gets dirty, which is like, once every 6 months or so. That's the filter to protect your big filter.

jeff

My pre-filter takes forever to get dirty. Currently I have a MB-style one on it from the dealer....its white, and you can't see inside it.

Oh well. Car has plenty of power and runs fine though, and its been on there over 6 months at this point, I replaced both filters back in the spring.

300SDog · #10 10-29-2007, 11:32 PM

Dealerships peddling non-clear primary filters? Black sludge forms in mine at 3 month tops. Noticable power improvement, specially cold start at every replacement. Wintertime I'll replace primaries every 8-10 weeks. Hmmm, must be algae growin in tank.

Skid Row Joe · #11 10-30-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

Also how often does the fuel filter (the big one(I obviously don't know how to work on these)), have to be changed.
Thanks,
Lindaj

Changed it in my '83 300SD every 10K. They're about $10 each.

Installation labor charge? Too much for a 10 minute job.

280EZRider · #12 10-30-2007, 12:09 AM

And don't forget; if you don't see crud in your filter, it's not doing its job. In the end, you want the crud in the filter - not your engine.

lindajane · #13 10-30-2007, 12:33 AM

My car was really pulling when I drove to work in the Am going on a gradual uphill..I was getting really nervous about driving it, especially through the tunnel. Then I remembered the fuel filter!..I had a spare in my trunk and It helped immensely, can't believe I forgot about that.
I asked a place about replacing the big filter, they said not more than $70. So don't know if thats a fair price or not; but when I call around in the SF bay area the prices are ridiculous for mercedes.
My mechanic in LA ordered the little fuel filters online somewhere and got them very cheap; Anybody know a good source for these?
thanks

Lycoming-8 · #14 10-30-2007, 12:34 AM

Currently have in excess of 17,000 mi on the inline filter and an undetermined amount on the spin-on filter. The inline was changed shortly aftr purchasing the vehicle, the spin-on will wait until such time as power starts to drop. Filtration theory indeed shows that the more loaded a filter gets the better the job of filtration it does.

Keep one of each in the trunk along with the tools to change them out. Also it pays to purchase fuel from high volume filling stations, which usually translates to truck stops when out on the road. Here in town, good old Wally-world has proven to have fuel that delivers good mileage for the lowest price.

Jeremy5848 · #15 10-30-2007, 12:48 AM

When I was switching over to biodiesel, I changed every couple of months as the biodiesel dissolved the crud out of the fuel system. Now that it's clean, I change annually. Any more often is probably overkill if you're not seeing crud in the primary; any less often risks you forgetting about it entirely. Persons who drive 30000 miles annually or who are more at risk for dirty fuel should change more often.

Fuel filters, like differential lubricant and power steering fluid, are something that is too easy to let go and, in the end, never change.

Jeremy