Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Topic: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins (Read 3378 times) previous topic - next topic

Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

May 05, 2016, 10:10:18 pm

My owners manual recommends a FS1226 (Fleetguard) I have read on the forum that a 10 micron primary filter and a 2 micron secondary filter should be used. No problem with the 10 micron primary but so far no luck with a FS1226 or replacement in a 2 micron for the secondary. A source for the proper secondary would be appreciated....

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #1 – May 05, 2016, 10:42:18 pm

There are no options for less than a 20 micron filter on the older mechanical Cummins 5.9 and 8.3 engines. It wasn't until Cummins released the ISB and ISC that they adopted tighter tolerances for fuel filters. You have a M16x1.5 thread nipple for the secondary fuel filter that really limits the filter options available. IIRC, the fuel filter options are FS1251, FF42000, etc.

I suppose if you were really determined to get better fuel filtration for the on-engine filter, you could get a machinist to make you up a new nipple that was M16x1.5 on the one side to screw into the the housing and whatever newer sizes that are common amongst more modern engines for the filter(7/8-14 thread for ISC engines IIRC, 1-14 thread for Cat engines, etc.). There used to be a company that made remote filter adapters for these engines but they have since gone out of production but if you could find one, it would allow you to use whatever filter housing you wanted.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #2 – May 05, 2016, 11:01:10 pm

Did a little research on Wix's site. NO first hand information on it:

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=230555

Product Specifications
Part Number:   33662
UPC Number:   765809336629
Style:   Spin-On Fuel Filter
Service:   Fuel
Type:   Full Flow
Media:   Cellulose
Height:   8 (203)*
Outer Diameter Top:   3.72 (94)*
Outer Diameter Bottom:   Closed:
Thread Size:   16x1.5 MM
Burst Pressure-PSI:   435
Max Flow Rate:   5 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating:   5

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #3 – May 05, 2016, 11:37:40 pm

I'd be really careful about the amount of fuel flow through the filters that weren't specifically for our engines since the M16x1.5 size was apparently a common size for European cars and small equipment that didn't need to move as much fuel as our engines do. I've tried one of the Baldwin BF7772 high efficiency filters (2 micron) that I found while searching the internet and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Despite fitting on the nipple, it caused problems with fuel pressure from the start. As an example, that filter you linked to flows half the amount of fuel that the recommended filter (Wix 33472 crossed over from Fleetguard FS1251) flows.

Edit: realized I had the wrong Wix number.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #4 – May 06, 2016, 05:26:21 am

Quote from: rsihnhold – May 05, 2016, 11:37:40 pm

I'd be really careful about the amount of fuel flow through the filters that weren't specifically for our engines

Then the Fleetguard 1226 or Wix 33472 or NAPA 3472 (10 micron) are the actual recommended secondary filters for the C8.3 by Cummins?
I questioned why they would use a 10 micron primary AND secondary? But it appears that is the case.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #5 – May 06, 2016, 08:03:00 am

Quote from: FourTravelers – May 06, 2016, 05:26:21 am

I questioned why they would use a 10 micron primary AND secondary?

I agree, no logic to that. If a 10 micron secondary, then go with a 20-30 micron primary.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #6 – May 06, 2016, 10:02:48 am

We use Fleetguard FF5018 for secondary fuel filter/separator, about $4 each from Online Truck Filters for Sale, Filterbarn H&S Industries - Filterbarn .

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #7 – May 06, 2016, 10:12:00 am

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – May 06, 2016, 10:02:48 am

We use Fleetguard FF5018 for secondary fuel filter/separator, about $4 each from Online Truck Filters for Sale, Filterbarn H&S Industries - Filterbarn .

Wix cross reference shows that crosses to a 10 micron.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #8 – May 06, 2016, 12:43:50 pm

I am currently using a Fleetguard FF42000 which is a plastic version of the FF5018 that Barry is using. It cross references to a Donaldson P553004 filter which I reference because Donaldson has a great website with lots of useful information including charts for fuel flow vs. pressure drop. The website also shows it being used on our Cummins 6CTA8.3 engines.

FUEL FILTER, SPIN-ON|Engine & Hydraulic|FUEL FILTERS|Dynamic Donaldson

http://www.donaldson.com/content/dam/donaldson/engine-hydraulics-bulk/catalogs/Engine-Liquid/North-America/fuel/Fuel-76MM-3.0in-X-M16-1.5.pdf

Interestingly, the filter that Brett referenced, Wix 33662, does show that it was used on a 6CTA8.3 in a cabover Ford truck application for a few years in Europe. While it shows the filter to be rated at 3 microns, it is only at a 50% efficiency which is a different standard than the other filters. The 33662 is nearly twice the physical size of the normal filters on our engines.

FUEL FILTER, SPIN-ON|Engine & Hydraulic|FUEL FILTERS|Dynamic Donaldson

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #9 – October 28, 2016, 01:25:12 pm

I wanted to update this thread for anyone considering buying the Wix 33662 filter. I bought two of these and finally got around to trying to install one. It is an extremely tight space for that big of a filter and it seems that the engine block is in the way of being able to make a good connection that is necessary to be able to thread on this large filter. I'm wondering now if there was a European made engine block that was slightly different in the way they cast it that would allow the filter to fit, hence why this filter is only listed as a replacement on only a few Euro trucks?

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #10 – October 28, 2016, 02:28:14 pm

Have been using a Donaldson p550248 for past 12k miles no trouble,(not the same one),is 15 micron at 90%,the donaldson
site shows it as the one for the 8.3,they do call it a water seperator.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #11 – October 28, 2016, 05:45:45 pm

Does anyone still offer a spin on filter that has a water drain on the bottom? I used to use them.
Water was always more of a problem than trash.

Carter Langford
Nac-

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #12 – October 28, 2016, 05:49:13 pm

Let's be sure we are talking about the same beast:

The PRIMARY fuel filter is the first one the fuel get to from the tank. It will have a water drain and likely be between 10 and 30 micron.

The SECONDARY fuel filter will not have a water drain, since that is the job of the primary filter. It will be the "fine" filter with micron ratings from 2-5 depending on engine specs.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #13 – October 28, 2016, 06:13:24 pm

One more time,I have a Donaldson p550248 SECONDARY FUEL FILTER on the coach,it has a water drain,it is a 15 micron
at 90 % ,it is on the Donaldson site for a 8.3 engine.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #14 – October 28, 2016, 06:28:15 pm

That sounds like a catalog error. I wouldn't use it.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #15 – October 28, 2016, 06:50:04 pm

Don't know if its an error but I have been using it for a year and 12k miles.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #16 – October 28, 2016, 06:52:49 pm

If you are using a 14 micron secondary filter, what are you using for a primary filter???

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #17 – October 28, 2016, 07:02:16 pm

Checked and researched the Donaldson site again,I stand corrected they do call it a primary filter,will change it ASAP.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #18 – October 28, 2016, 07:07:14 pm

John,

May be able to just swap filters. What is the other filter?

Agree, the Donaldson p550248 is a reasonable choice for PRIMARY filter.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #19 – October 28, 2016, 07:26:04 pm

Another twist,the fs1226 is obsolete,they say the replacement is a fs1251.If you reseach the FS1251 it cross references to the
Donaldson P550248.My primary is a Donaldson P553202 much bigger than the secondary.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #20 – October 31, 2016, 10:15:06 am

Aside from the manufactuer calling one a primary or secondary,what's the difference between the 2?

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #21 – October 31, 2016, 10:27:29 am

Reply 12 explains it best. The primary filters the big stuff and water. The secondary get the small stuff it lets through. If they both had water drains and the same micron and thread size, it wouldn't matter.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #22 – October 31, 2016, 11:48:53 am

Spent some time researching fuel filters.From what I can see the fleetguard fs1251 is the replacement for the 1226 and is on the chart for the 8.3.The donaldson p550248 is a match for the 1251 and is a 15 micron filter.Unless I am still missing something I
think the 550248 will work fine.They reccommend the fs1251 which is a 20 micron so the 550248 filters a smaller amount and should work fine.With all the 8.3 engines we should have a few exact part numbers.

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #23 – April 29, 2017, 05:27:56 pm

Just looking at Barry's site and it lists fleetguard fs1022 as secondary filter which is 10micron with water drain and racor r90p as primary

Re: Secondary filter for a C8.3 Cummins

Reply #24 – April 29, 2017, 05:40:24 pm

I was about to fit a Napa 3411 as primary and Napa 3422 as secondary
Anyone tried this combination?
I also have the fleetguard fs1022 on hand

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