How often do I change my fuel filters? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #1 12-08-2007, 02:13 PM

I change mine every 30K although somehow I thought I heard the standard is 60K.

VW1300 · #2 12-08-2007, 02:16 PM

OK, maybe I'll change the pre-filter when I do the oil next spring. I'll buy the next one now and put it in the trunk or something just in case I need it sooner.

thanks,

aklim · #3 12-08-2007, 02:18 PM

When I do a filter change, it is both pre and actual filter. I change BOTH and not one or the other.

mobetta · #4 12-08-2007, 02:34 PM

no piont changing the clear prefilter unless you can see junk in it. I carry spare fuel filters AND the tools required to change them. Also, I have an unopened qt of tranny fluid or seafoam to prime the secondary filter with if it needs changing. saves a lot of pumping.

kerry · #5 12-08-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

no piont changing the clear prefilter unless you can see junk in it. I carry spare fuel filters AND the tools required to change them. Also, I have an unopened qt of tranny fluid or seafoam to prime the secondary filter with if it needs changing. saves a lot of pumping.

An alternative to the sea foam or atf is before removing the filters, remove the return line and let the engine run for a few second and fill up the new secondary filter. Then shut it off, remove the filters and install the new filter that is now filled with diesel.

P.E.Haiges · #6 12-08-2007, 10:39 PM

aklikm,

Any logical reason for changing both filters at the same time

P E H

aklim · #7 12-09-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

aklikm,

Any logical reason for changing both filters at the same time

P E H

First, you are already there. You are going to have to remove the pre-filter to see if it is clogged. With that in mind, you are already going to have to change the O-ring once you open it up. The pre-filter already in your hand. It is made of plastic and can crack with age. So, why not change it for $3.56?

P.E.Haiges · #8 12-08-2007, 11:15 PM

Forty years ago MB had filters with a drain plug so water could be drained out. Why they changed to the ones on the engines now, who knows.

P E H

P.E.Haiges · #9 12-09-2007, 11:17 AM

aklim,

I can tell if my filters are clogged with out removing them. All I have to do is drive up a hill.

Where is the o-ring on a primary filter, or a the secondary filter for that matter? My prefilter is held on and sealed by 2 worm gear clamps. But maybe yours is different.

Sounds like U change your filters about 10 times as often as I do. So since both of them cost about $10, that's not $3.56, its About $100. Maybe U have money to throw away, but I don't.

AND filters get more efficient as they get loaded and are good up to the point they impede engine performance.

I got a winter car (300SD) and never changed the prefilter. It lasted 70,000 miles then I changed the engine to another car because 1st one was rusted too bad. Guess what, same filters are still in there.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

P E H

#10 12-09-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Sounds like U change your filters about 10 times as often as I do. So since both of them cost about $10, that's not $3.56, its About $100. Maybe U have money to throw away, but I don't.

Wow, $100 whole dollars over about 10 years, that must be at least 0.02% of the operation cost for that car. This is really too silly to discuss.

Just change them when you want and don't worry about it.

aklim · #11 12-09-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Wow, $100 whole dollars over about 10 years, that must be at least 0.02% of the operation cost for that car. This is really too silly to discuss.

Just change them when you want and don't worry about it.

2 or 3 cups of Starbucks a year I can live without. I'd rather spend money and have peace of mind as opposed to saving the money and having to wrench in the middle of nowheres. After all, how often does something breakdown in your garage? Most of the time, the breakdowns occur in the middle of nowheres. Do you want to lug tools, filters, oil, parts, etc, etc around? I'd rather drive and forget it. Will breakdowns occur? Sure. Can I stop it altogether? No. can I minimize it with preventative maintenance? I think so. If the wife broke down int he middle of the road because the filter got so clogged it won't flow and she didn't notice it till then, what would it cost me, time wise and fuel wise to go to fix it especially if it is in bad weather?

aklim · #12 12-09-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

I can tell if my filters are clogged with out removing them. All I have to do is drive up a hill.

Where is the o-ring on a primary filter, or a the secondary filter for that matter? My prefilter is held on and sealed by 2 worm gear clamps. But maybe yours is different.

Sounds like U change your filters about 10 times as often as I do. So since both of them cost about $10, that's not $3.56, its About $100. Maybe U have money to throw away, but I don't.

AND filters get more efficient as they get loaded and are good up to the point they impede engine performance.

I got a winter car (300SD) and never changed the prefilter. It lasted 70,000 miles then I changed the engine to another car because 1st one was rusted too bad. Guess what, same filters are still in there.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It is the getting clogged part that I don't know how to tell.

On the 606, the prefilter has an O-ring which you don't reuse. There are 2 O-rings on the main filter. No work clamps or what hot. The pre-filter is held on by a bolt.

I change them every 30K. $3.56 was just the cost of the pre-filter. That was why I said it costs you a little more to change it if you are changing the main filter. Yes, I know it costs more. However, I have got bad fuel before and I don't want to risk getting stuck somewheres. Especially when the wife drives it and commutes to work (70 miles one way). She won't know how to change a filter if it jumped up, slapped her in the face and gave directions. With that in mind, we don't even carry anything in the realm of spare filters in the car. I am paying for the convenience of not having a breakdown because the filter is so clogged one day. If it clogs suddenly, you can tell. Much harder to tell if it is gradually getting plugged till it doesn't flow. It would be impossible for the wife to know unless it dies and a yellow light comes on.

You sure about that? How does it get more efficient if it doesn't allow as much flow? That is what K&N says about their filter but I am not sure about that.

And I know someone who drove their car and never changed oil. Just added oil when necessary. After 3 yrs, she would trade it in. I'd rather do maintenance and have done with it. It allows me to see the condition of the filters and if they start getting too dirty, I start trying to figure out where we have been to fuel up. Usually it is about 3 different stations.

I prefer maintenance. I had a truck that had 70K on it. It ran perfectly. No issues. Why did I change the plugs? Just to see what happens. No diff other than I picked up a mile or two per gal. Plugs were ok but gap was a little too large.

P.E.Haiges · #13 12-09-2007, 11:53 AM

Craig,

Would U take a $100 bill tear it up, burn it or just throw it away? I think not. But if U would, please send it to me (before U destroy it). LOL

Because that is just what U are doing by replacing filters that don't need to be replaced.

Its no wonder why there are so many parts houses making money selling auto parts with people like U.

P E H

aklim · #14 12-09-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Craig,

Would U take a $100 bill tear it up, burn it or just throw it away? I think not. But if U would, please send it to me (before U destroy it). LOL

Because that is just what U are doing by replacing filters that don't need to be replaced.

P E H

How much is peace of mind worth? You saying you change your filters ever 300K whether they need it or not?

#15 12-09-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Craig,

Would U take a $100 bill tear it up, burn it or just throw it away? I think not. But if U would, please send it to me (before U destroy it). LOL

Because that is just what U are doing by replacing filters that don't need to be replaced.

Its no wonder why there are so many parts houses making money selling auto parts with people like U.

P E H

I gladly replace anything that looks like it might consider thinking about failing anytime soon. I probably average $2-3K per year on maintenance/repair for my car alone. That's the only way I know to keep my cars as reliable as new. The other option is to write a $60K check for a new car that I wouldn't like as much, anyway. I drive about 40K miles per year (all away from home) and I just don't have time to deal with the "drive it until it breaks" approach. If I couldn't trust my car to work perfectly when I need it, I would be driving a new one. The cost of filters, etc. is trivial.

BTW, I hate to admit it, but my family probably spends more than $100 at starbucks every week. As I said, this is very silly.