Fuel Filter Warning!!!

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
For you 6.0L owners, this is a valid warning, please read:

DO NOT USE the Purolator Fuel Filter F55590 that is spec'ed for the 6.0 (and probally the 6.4) PSD. This filter DOES NOT HAVE THE WATER BLOCK MEMBRANE on the primary (HFCM) filter.

I stopped to pick up my Motorcraft FD-4616 Fuel Filter kit from Advance (Which was the last one in my area, Advance is not going to carry the Motorcraft Filter kit any longer) I pulled them out of the box to look at them, and the Secondary Filter looked a bit different thatn I remember (I thought it snapped into the lid like the others do, it doesn't). So I asked if they had one of the other brands in-stock so I could compair the secondary filters. The clerk looked up, and pulled the Purolator Fuel Filter Kit F55590 which is what is spec'ed for the 6.0. I pulled both filters from the Purolator box, and the seconday filters looked the same. But the Primary (larger filter that is located in the HFCM on the frame) was just the bare corrugated filter medium, there was no water block membrane... in the application picture it shows the membrane as it should have...... I have personally held the filter in my hand..... there is no membrane. I would not use this filter unless I was stranded and it was an emergency. From now on I am going to goto my local IH Truck Dealer and get the filter kit 1847170C93 (This is the kit for a VT275 4.5L V-6 engine, has both filters, if you ask for a fuel filter for a VT365 you will only get the secondary engine mounted filter) for $40 instead of the $50 from Advance, or $80 from the dealer. Just wanted to let everyone know, with the importance of the filter.... plus, it you roll into the dealer with the Purolator filter that does not have the water block membrane, they will VOID the Warranty!!!! If you must use the Purolator filter, look at it and see if it has the membrane.....
 
Last edited:

tractorman86

Registered User
Joined
May 1, 2006
Posts
2,393
Reaction score
0
Location
Buckeye, AZ
Wow, how can they get away with that?... I always use wix filter kit, anyone have any bad experiences with them. I don't think wix is the same quality they used to be on some filters though, a while ago we figured out that some of them are now made in china.
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
Not sure.... but that is the way it looks..... I am headed out to install them shortly. I will snap a few pictures of the Motorcraft ones, and what they should look like....
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
OK, here we go.... I just got back from doing the 115,000 service on my truck... just for reference, an oil change with 15qts of Valvoline Premium Blue, a Motorcraft FL-2016 Oil Filter, and a Motorcraft FD-4616 fuel filter kit, replacing both the Primary 10u on the framerail, and the 4 micron on the engine...

I took several pictures of the filters, included below are:
1. Motorcraft packaging
2. Contents removed from box, not unwrapped, Left - Secondary, Center - O-Ring kit for the caps, Right - Primary. Both filter have the "bottom", what goes into the housing first, facing down.
3. Both filters, Left - Secondary, Right - Primary, notice the water block membrane on the primary in the right.
4. Both "tops", the side that faces the cap, Secondary - Left, Primary - Right.
5. Bottoms, at an angle, notice the O-Ring on the "hat", that is a recent design change.
6. Insides, viewed from the bottom. There is a "tower" inside each housing that is inserted into the center of the filter when installed.
7. After replacement, these are the used cartridges, Secondary - Left, Center - Oil Filter, Right - Primary. The membrane is much more visible on the dirty one, you can just see the pleats through the membrane.

At this point, the truck is running better, I was having some stiction issues with the old, very dirty oil. Have a few minutes, the stiction has seemed to clear up, will find out in the morning when I head to work....
 

Attachments

  • 2011-12-07 21.20.49.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.20.49.jpg
    936.5 KB · Views: 44
  • 2011-12-07 21.21.36.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.21.36.jpg
    852.9 KB · Views: 43
  • 2011-12-07 21.22.18.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.22.18.jpg
    773.2 KB · Views: 44
  • 2011-12-07 21.22.41.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.22.41.jpg
    719.4 KB · Views: 42
  • 2011-12-07 21.23.18.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.23.18.jpg
    748.2 KB · Views: 46
  • 2011-12-07 21.23.45.jpg
    2011-12-07 21.23.45.jpg
    875.4 KB · Views: 43
  • 2011-12-07 22.29.11.jpg
    2011-12-07 22.29.11.jpg
    262.7 KB · Views: 51

tractorman86

Registered User
Joined
May 1, 2006
Posts
2,393
Reaction score
0
Location
Buckeye, AZ
Ooooohh, that's the membrane you are taking about. I like that, the wix filters don't even have that, I think I will have the shop start getting those for us. And by the way, tisk tisk scott, I never let the filters get anywhere near that bad. I do oil and both fuel filters every 3-5k miles and an air filter every other service although mine does tow often and runs in dusty conditions
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
Jacob,

Normaly I do not either.... $$$ has been very tight this year, so I have let it slide longer than Normal. Normally I do oil at 5k and fuel at 10k.... this paticular set has about 7500 on the oil and 15k on the fuel..... which ironically is what Ford says is the service interval.... yea right..... on this service, I got to the point that I HAD to do the service, I was down on power, and the oil was getting "bad" enought that I started having a stiction issue, both of which has been rectified by the service.

Yes, that membrane is EXTREMELY important, without that membrane, you DO NOT have a WATER SEPERATOR. The WIX/NAPA/Purolator that do not have that membrane will allow water to pass throught the filter and onto the engine.... the secondary does not have the membrane, and is a 4 micron filter, it will allow water by also. I have read on several occasions, when a truck was brought in with fuel system problems, when the dealer started the service, it they removed a filter without the water block membrane (like the WIX you use) they will VOID the WARRANTY!!! Technically that filter does not meet Ford specifications without the membrane, so unfortunatly they are in the clear to not cover the repair. In that case, if the damage was indeed caused by the filter, such as water making it to the injectors, I think the filter manufacturer would be responsible for the damage and the cost of repair, since their filter did not do the job is was designed to, since they omitted the water block membrane. FYI - The 6mm hex plug that you remove to change the Primary filter, so you don't get as much as of a diesel shower, that is actually the water drain. The HCFM (Horizontal Fuel Conditioning Module, the one on the frame rail under the drivers door, right next to the transfer case) is the: Lift Pump, Primary Fuel Filter, Fuel Heater (this was ommitted in the later model years and on replacement HCFM's), Water Seperator, Water In Fuel Indicator, and there is a return that runs to the module)
 

NJKen

is a daddy!
Joined
May 1, 2004
Posts
1,335
Reaction score
0
Location
Central NJ
Ooooohh, that's the membrane you are taking about. I like that, the wix filters don't even have that, I think I will have the shop start getting those for us. And by the way, tisk tisk scott, I never let the filters get anywhere near that bad. I do oil and both fuel filters every 3-5k miles and an air filter every other service although mine does tow often and runs in dusty conditions

Had water go rite through a Wix filter and eat up a few injectors once. When I pulled it out is was soggy and felt like wet cardboard. The water in fuel light didnt even come on. Maybe because the filter absorbed and passed the water? dunno.. I will only get them from Ford now. It cost me too dam much not too.
Ken
 

tractorman86

Registered User
Joined
May 1, 2006
Posts
2,393
Reaction score
0
Location
Buckeye, AZ
LOL I was just busting your balls scott. I will definitely be running ford filters from now on though. Enact my brother in law that works with us had the WIF light come on and burned up a couple injectors, and now that I know this I'd bet it was due to the wix filter... This thread should be a sticky imho.
 

CDX825

filtration nut
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Posts
1,416
Reaction score
153
Location
Litchfield,Ohio
Racor makes these filters for Motorcraft unlike the the rest witch are purolators. They also make that specific filter for Fram. Its the exact same filter only its in a different box.

So if you can't find the Motorcraft ones, this is one instance where running a Fram would be a good alternative.
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
Racor makes these filters for Motorcraft unlike the the rest witch are purolators. They also make that specific filter for Fram. Its the exact same filter only its in a different box.

So if you can't find the Motorcraft ones, this is one instance where running a Fram would be a good alternative.

Agreed..... or goto the local International / Navistar dealer and get the 1847170C93 filter kit that fits the VT-275 4.5L V-6 (how sweet would that be in a Ranger). To get them locally, they have the best price. I would figure they are a RACOR also....

On another note, the Oil Filter looks to be the same situation, the Motorcraft and the Fram appear to be exactally the same, I compared them the other day... and so it is all in the same place... the Oil Filter from IH is 1840752C91. I believe all 3 IH/MC/Fram are RACORs also....
 

2 stroker

Registered User
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Posts
8
Reaction score
1
Location
Warren/Oregon
Here is a good place to order Ford or Racor filter and over $250 you get Free shipping for all your need.
http://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/Ford-6-0-Liter-Turbo-Diesel-Truck-Filters.aspx
Plus this is a good add on drain once a month to check for water
http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articles/article-05-19.php
Good information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvnTwCujBJE&feature=related
and if you want to keep the egr valve and turbo clean and working
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVq_-5xhlP0
2 stroker
 

CaptTom

Full Access Member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Posts
777
Reaction score
20
Location
ca
I've been buying the Fram from Rock Auto a case at a time. Even when buying as singles, they're half the cost over O'Reilly's- who isn't as good a deal as Kragens used to be.....and yes, they have water block membranes as well as all dimensions the same.
 

Agnem

Using the Force!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Posts
17,067
Reaction score
373
Location
Delta, PA
I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to put this out there.... you can't tell the water separating capability of a filter by its appearance. As a Hastings dealer, I know our filters do not have the membrane Scott speaks of. The water blocking action occurs in the media itself. There are issues with using a membrane, such as edge sealing, vibration tearing and other technical issues which do not always make a membrane the best approach. Learn more here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN9Yg406J-w&feature=youtu.be

If anybody needs a filter, let me know and I'll try to beat whatever price your paying now.
 

Myersjames755

Registered User
Joined
Jan 2, 2022
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Glenmont ny
I have. 2003 f250 6.0 and I changed the fuel pump I can’t get fuel from the tank to fuel pump but if I remove the line from the pump and place in in a separate can the pump pulls fuel and truck starts and runs fine but when I reconnect the line the truck dies the fuel pump will not pull fuel from the tank and it has about half tank of fuel
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,504
Members
24,045
Latest member
Ramtough01
Top