I cut open my fuel filter on my service truck today. On top of the regular coffee grind looking trash I'm finding metal shavings. Similar shavings that you would find from a hydraulic pump that was failing. I have been doing this for years on several trucks and just recently noticed the metal.

Just wondering if maybe this low sulfur fuel is starting to affect the fuel pumps at the stations.

I found a bunch of threads on oil filters but not on opening a fuel filter. I put a magnet on the bottom of the secondary filter of the 240 today, figured I will run it with the magnet cut it open and see if anything is getting past the primary one . Small particles of metal cant be good on our injection pumps.

Curiosity has gotten the best of me any input would be appreciated.

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Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

I've heard of the problem on some new common rail engines where the high pressure pump eats itself and sends metal bits out the return, which then go from the tank back to the filter. Hopefully yee olde inline pumps aren't trying to imitate their newer cousins...

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

you sure it wasnt just from cutting it? Doubt if youre seeing real metal, that you wouldnt be seeing big issues in the engine.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Here is an awful thought. With the poor economey maybe the Filter companies are cutting costs and the metal was there when the Filter was made.

One of the reasons I go to the Gas/Fuel Station I go to for Diesel is because the even back in 1975 the Truckers said that place had clean Fuel. And, it used to be you could see the big Filter they had on each pump as it was next to the Pump.

A lot of places at that time did not filter the Diesel Fuel that came out of the pump well. The Truckes were happy to pay a litte more to go to that Station.

I though by now all the Fuel at the Pump was better Filtered.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

'That ain't good!

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

How does metal in a fuel filter translate to "big issues in the engine?"

Is your fuel pump upstream or downstream from the filter?

Doesnt "recycle" from the injectors go to the secondary fuel filter? I assume that this is what is being cut open - the small plastic one isnt much to look at.

If fuel is coming back around from the injectors/IP through that filter, then if the metal is shedding from the injectors or IP, there are issues.

I think it was a result of the cutting job. We can only speculate without pictures.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

The one I cut was on a F650 service truck. I cut it with a pipe cutter on the side that was going to the secondary filter. Therefore the cut was made past where the screen filters from my tank. The metal was before the screen. My tank is 50 gallons and gets filled sometimes 2 times a day. It also has a 2 micron secondary so less worries. I have gone through 3 lift pumps in 160,000 miles though. Cut filter protects my lift pump , so cheap pump or cheap fuel?

The thing I was wondering is if the same was going into the mercedes filter. Thats where the magnet comes in large particles will be trapped in the clear filter I'm just curious if smaller particles are getting past into the secondary. When I cut that one I'll post results.

Possibly pictures if I can figure out how. I installed a raycor filter with a clear bottom on my service truck so I should be able to get pics of what I have found coming from the station pumps .

As far as filtering at the pumps goes as the stations are transformed into "convenience" stores less attention is getting placed on their outdoor pumps. They cant even keep up with changing the role of receipt paper and were thinking they change filters?

The truck stops do have better fuel and usually a staff on hand just for upkeep so theres a lot better chance of them changing filters.

__________________


Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

The primary filter on my truck is 114 mesh screen does anyone know specs on clear primary mercedes filter ?

__________________


Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

I thought it was 5 micron, but I don't remember where I read that.

20 micron for the clear filter
10 micron for the spin on

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

I 2nd the above.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Let me add that those are "nominal" ratings. Meaning 50% filtering efficency during the first pass.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

For those who want better filtration:
Lower Micron Fuel Filter Mod

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Some times I get in trouble when I think so with that said.............

50% filtering efficiency during the first pass. ok I buy that.

Now, how does the filter know when that same fuel in coming through the second time?

How much of the 50% it didn`t get on the first pass, will the filter capture on the second pass? and so on.

Or does the filter just become more efficient as it captures crud and slowley plugs up?


I know my primary never has anything in it, and probably been on the past 50,000K. so this is good, I have clean fuel, or clear of chunks

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works