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Topic: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure (Read 813 times) previous topic - next topic

Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

On a 2001 295, my friend Don C. has the 4 cylinder Kabota engine.  In the normal annual service, the fuel filter was replaced with a plastic thread model, as my friend described to me by phone.  It failed, fortunately while still in Nac at his house. Lot of fuel lost.  I gather the threads failed but I do not know if overtightened or other cause. MOT told him they will only carry metal now.

But the point is...while Don said that while it was not easy to find in metal today in Nac at a supply house, the metal is still available....took some shopping.

Suggestion:  if you like plastic and want to use those, ok.  If not, do not assume you will get metal, ask.  I will carry a metal spare.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #1 –
Mike,

Good point as I was not aware that any spin-on filter used plastic for the threads. Will have to check my spare. All spin on filters, fuel or oil, should only be hand tightened. Never with a strap wrench. The Facet electric pump should only produce 4 to 8 psi, depending on the model. Either the pump or gravity feed from a full fuel tank would be enough to make a big mess with a bad filter failure.

Changing filters is a good time to inspect the generator feed fuel line from the tank. With a strong pair of glasses, I could see thousands of tiny cracks in the line. Enough that the generator would surge or quit while the AC was on. Easy to replace the line but you don't need to pull the generator out to do it like the video shows and no need to fasten the new line to the old and pull through. New line now and it runs like a champ regardless of load.

Pierce

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #2 –
I got one plastic fuel filter when I ordered online. Never used it for this very reason.  Went and got a metal one locally.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #3 –
Last summer we had the generator serviced at MOT and the fuel filter they used at that time was a plastic threaded fleet guard filter. It blew off the element housing like a rocket due to the threads being stripped. Went to NAPA and got a metal one. Reported what happened to MOT and they said they will not use the plastic ones again.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #4 –
Unless Jackie's friend and Fourwheeler's are the same person it looks like MOT is telling a fib.I f they told 2 different people
they quit using the plastic apparently they didn't.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #5 –
Yup, and if I was running a high-end operation, I'd be taking care of the problem, like a refund for parts & labor!

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #6 –
Fleetguard Zytel fuel filters are nothing new. Ive been using them for years without issue. I think the problem may be the technician overtorqueing them. I have literally dozens currently installed on Cummins engines, as well as on my powertech kubota for hundreds of hours without a single issue. These are OEM products, not chinese knockoffs. If MOT has multiple failures of these fleetguard filters, i would take a hard look at the oil jockey they have installing them and NOT the filters.

Cummins Fleetguard ® fuel filters replace metal with DuPont ™ Zytel ® |...


http://www.cumminsfiltration.com/sites/default/files/LT32661.pdf

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #7 –
Most spin on filters have the warning to hand tighten only, some have the picture that the non reader can figure out.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #8 –
I love it, love it!! Here we are proof positive that this composite material (Zytel) product is better and easier than the metal ones, AND it is made in China, NOT N America!! ^.^d  Cummins recommending only use this type, and they should know, and they make the engines.
I too feel the guy doing the changes at MOT should get some lessons on how to install , unless they are using Knock-offs made in N America?? 8)
JohnH

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #9 –
But you won't be able to take any back to Canada without paying a 125% "dumping" tax. >:(

Pierce

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #10 –
Pierce, I think you meant to say "border adjustment tax" :-)

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #11 –
Tim, you are too late. The RCMP have already sent me an "adjustment" to my language.  ;)  ;)  ;) My Mac has been bugged ever since...

P

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #12 –
Can't wait till they make the oil filters like this, maybe I'll leave mine on until they do.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #13 –
                     Heavy handed mechanics . Yes they are still plying their trade . Filters , lug nuts and studs , spark plugs , oil drain plugs  , no end in sight . They can all be  rung off .  Same guy applying grease to zerk  fittings --book says three shots , and he does not give a hoot if grease actually went in .  This beat into my thick head ----do it your self , so you know . Well , this old guy still does all greasing and oil and filter service .  A  dry  bearing wont show up at home , it will be way out where there is no cell service . Remember that fun time when my hydraulic pump  quit working on my main cooling radiator fan  ???  No grease of any king . $$$$$  was the results .  Yes a full dose of stupid was involved all right put he didn't pay ,  I did .  >:(  >:(  >:(    Brad Metzger

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #14 –
Knock-offs made in N America?? 8)

I was including Canada by saying N America.!!

Hey Pierce, we already pay way more than you guys for just about everything. Today I was looking for a 1/10th HP motor I need to replace on a commercial Bldg and in states it is $147 and here cheapest $280 to $404--same thing. If I bought the $147 one out of US my cost is $202 in Canadian funds before tax at Border. No import duty as made in USA.
JohnH

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #15 –
If attributed to me, let me clarify.  I understood MOT as I heard would no longer use the plastic after today.  I did not hear from Don that they had already stopped. Plus, the way they do work, they record the tech doing the work.  That would be reviewed for training. 

However some replies in this thread seem to say that the "plastic" can be ok if installed correctly.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #16 –
Exactly Mike and recommended to be used by Cummins over the metal one the way I read it.
JohnH

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #17 –
Read both of the above Cummins threads, neither one exactly said you install by hand but I assumed you do.It did state that you
remove it with a 1/2 inch ratchet,you cannot install filter with a ratchet as it has a built in fail safe.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #18 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I love it, love it!! Here we are proof positive that this composite material (Zytel) product is better and easier than the metal ones, AND it is made in China, NOT N America!! ^.^d  Cummins recommending only use this type, and they should know, and they make the engines.
I too feel the guy doing the changes at MOT should get some lessons on how to install , unless they are using Knock-offs made in N America?? 8)
JohnH

I guess your assumption is the article states it was tested by Cummins China that they are made in china?Try again! I didnt dream up my post! My fleetguard Zytel filters are MADE IN USA branded (or I would not have purchased them!) I actually stopped buying some Baldwin filters for my John Deeres because they are Chinese imported copies of the patented Stanadyne filters made for Deere.

Youre right though. MOT probably has their finest, most skilled tech on oil monkey duty torquing the filters down precisely, and Fleetguard produces junk that fails constantly, especially when installed by MOT, but strangely the rest of the world uses these filters trouble free. According to my records, I got my first Zytel filter around 2006.

Re: Gen Plastic Fuel Filter Failure

Reply #19 –
Trying to think back, all of our tractors, power units, big trucks all have metal filters whether they are John Deere, case ih, new holland, duetz, or anything else I can think of. These filters come from the equipment manufacturer. Bottom line is I have a hard time thinking plastic threads will mesh well with metal threads. My opinion only.