GQ Diesel fuel filter

Submitted: Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 11:24
ThreadID: 5738 Views:2729 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
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Hey guys,

anyone know the correct replacement interval for the under bonnet fuel filter? I was doing every 10,000 but someone told me that was overkill?

Thoughts, comments?
cheers
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Reply By: Tony - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 11:37

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 11:37
Not really an overkill, I've just done 8000k trip through a lot of outback towns filling up as i went, changed the filter twice in that time. You don't quite know what the fuel is like so its better to be sure be sure.

Normally I would replace the filter every 10, for added insurance its a peice of mind.
AnswerID: 23832

Reply By: Stephen from Drive Systems Victoria - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 12:25

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 12:25
Nissan says every 40,000km, but as Tony says, you don't know when you're going to get a crook batch of fuel. I sample the fuel at each service(5000) and any signs of crap, it gets changed. Otherwise, I change at 20,000km, at least 2 per year.
AnswerID: 23839

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 13:01

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 13:01
For the cost of filter why wouldnt you change it !?! Also with the dodgey fuel around is it worth the risk ?

That company that got nailed for $50million the crap they were delivering and cutting...

"... He said they evaded excise duty by buying genuine diesel fuel and blending it with cheaper petroleum products such as kerosene, heating oil, waste oil and solvents."

AnswerID: 23844

Reply By: Tod - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 18:44

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 18:44
40,000km is fine, but recommend you always carry a spare.

Suggest you do a check every 5,000km by draining a little from the tap to see if there is any garbage in the filter.
AnswerID: 23874

Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 21:05

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 21:05
Crowe,
As mentioned 40 thousand K's is what the book says, I feel that's a bit out there, the cost here in the West is around the $40 mark, I replace a secondary auxillary filter I installed every 10 thousand K's at cost of around $6 much more economical. If you only ever going to use the fourby for picking the kids up and shopping then the 40 K could well be reasonable, if you are out in Star Trek country on a 5 year mission to go where no man has gone before changing the filter at around 10 thousand could be a better strategy, especially if the OEM one is the only one you have. You may even consider bringing that in, $40 is not a lot when you consider the consequences. Nissan GQ's have an audiable water sensor alarm at the bottom of the filter, it's a good idea to check this by putting water in the bowl when you change the filter, to be sure, to be sure Keep the shiny side up
AnswerID: 23891

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 22:26

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 22:26
Go with CAV filters, $9 per filter, $100 for the unit..

Takes no time to get your money back.
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FollowupID: 16019

Follow Up By: crowe - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 16:34

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 16:34
Martyn,

How often do you replace the main filter if changing the auxillary every 10?

Did'nt know about the audible buzzer, i assume this comes on with the light in dash. To check buzzer i remove filter and leave water trap attched and fill with some water and turn iginition key on? Buzzer should be blaring?

Would i be best running with twin auxillary filters as i have two factory tanks, one each? or would one be satifactory in mainline? do you use trucksters CAV filters?

Cheers
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FollowupID: 16072

Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 22:29

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 22:29
Crowe,
I changed the main filter when I put the new engine in about 15,000 k's ago, I cut the old filter up which had been in for about 30 months and there was very little crud inside, the auxillary I change on what I'm doing rather than mileage, if I'm running around town I change the filter every 8 to 10 thousand, if I'm out in Start Trek country I replace the filter as soon as I come back, or if it's an extended trip I take a couple of spare elements in separate sealed cardboard boxes, sealed with selotape or something like that so the individual filters remain dust free and don't get contaminated when I open one of them. I check my oil and water daily so checking the filter glass bowl only takes a second. Be wary about getting to fine a filter this can load your fuel pump, like trying to suck a golf ball through 30 meters of garden hose, The one I have is 5 micron and as pointed out the Nissan one is 10 micron, a one micron filter may be a bit of overkill and may be more trouble than it's worth, I may be wrong this is IMHO ( I've been wanting to use that acronym, H is for humble) I only have one tank but I wouldn't think you would have to fit two filters, just the one in the main line to the pump should be sufficient. The one I have is Lucas but I'm sure the CAV filter would be very similar, the price is.
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FollowupID: 16130

Reply By: bluehealer - Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 21:07

Monday, Jun 30, 2003 at 21:07
question what kind of garbage have you been getting in your filters.would like to know what to look for when checking at drain point thanks
AnswerID: 23892

Follow Up By: crowe - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 16:27

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 16:27
have been changing every 10,000kms and have had hardly any garbage inside, cut one open once and relatively clean hence the reason for the post
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FollowupID: 16071

Reply By: colin - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 11:09

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 11:09
am operating a new truck with a c 12 cat engine and we change the oil, filters and fuel filter every 300 hrs which is every 2 weeks, this is to cat specs for warranty. I have a GQ and change the fuel filter every 10,000 ks, done 260,000 ks and have had no problems. Col
AnswerID: 23931

Follow Up By: Steve from Drive Systems Victoria - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 20:12

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003 at 20:12
Probably overkill and expensive motoring, Colin. Try cutting the next element open and inspect for crap. Certainly sample fuel quality every oil change interval, and if clean, it'll go on to the next. To be really, cautious, drop some fuel from the tank/s and inspect, drain and filter if necessary, before replacing fuel. If you are going to throw money away every 10K, then may as well fit a CAV, or Franz inline and only throw $9 away instead of $40. Had a Franz on a truck once, change the toilet roll every 10k at .60c a pop. They filter to 1 micron, whereas factory filters are only 10micron.
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FollowupID: 16102

Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 02, 2003 at 14:53

Wednesday, Jul 02, 2003 at 14:53
Colin,
I'm just having some repairs done on a CAT 3408 I think it is, stick with what the warranty asks for if you don't it will be very very very costly. Plus make sure you only use the CAT coolant, the block I have has a hole in it the size of a ten cent peice caused by electrolosis ( spelling). I don't want to go into the costs it's frightening..... Keep the shiny side up
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FollowupID: 16162

Reply By: David N. - Saturday, Jul 05, 2003 at 09:32

Saturday, Jul 05, 2003 at 09:32
IMHO 10,000 is way too often if you get clean fuel- might not be often enough if you get dirty fuel.
I have a franz fuel filter fitted before the factory filter- you should see the crap in the franz although I only change it every 2 years or so.
Had new seals in my TD42 fuel pump about two years ago for the low sulphur fuel... The overhauler said he'd never seen a pump in as good condition for the miles.
Diesel pumps work on incredibly fine tolerances- you CANNOT have fuel that is too clean.
AnswerID: 24253

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