Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

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Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

April 22, 2018, 10:52:02 pm

I'll be changing the fuel filter and water separator on my 1993 U225 which has a Cummins 5.9 and need a little advice.
My 1981 Foretravel with a 3208 Cat had a manual pump which I used after changing the filters on that coach but I see nothing like that on my 1993 coach. What do I need to do other than pre-fill the filters and screw them on?

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #1 – April 23, 2018, 08:30:20 am

Assuming it's like the 8.3 mechanical engine,nothing,it may turn over a little longer then normal but will start.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #2 – April 23, 2018, 09:56:54 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – April 22, 2018, 10:52:02 pm

I'll be changing the fuel filter and water separator on my 1993 U225 which has a Cummins 5.9 and need a little advice.
My 1981 Foretravel with a 3208 Cat had a manual pump which I used after changing the filters on that coach but I see nothing like that on my 1993 coach. What do I need to do other than pre-fill the filters and screw them on?

I can not tell you how to change the fuel filters but have to say be very careful and know what you are doing. For my previous U225 FT I had FT change them and once they had a young man doing the work, while supervised and me standing around. Despite that he did something that caused air to get in the lines and engine would not start. One of the master mechanics had to come over and unscrew and open one of the injectors just enough to let air run out then the engine started. It was relatively easy but could be avoided.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #3 – April 23, 2018, 10:19:30 am

Thank you Propman. I have heard that something can (must) be done to prevent having to bleed air out of the line(s). This is why I am asking. Hopefully someone will reply with exactly what needs to be done.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #4 – April 23, 2018, 10:51:06 am

I would not go anywhere without an electric or manual pump to fill the filters. So, here is the worst case scenario. You are driving at night when the dreaded algae monster strikes. You have to pull over and change filters. You need to be able to prime the system and get back on the road asap if in a dangerous location.

Here is an excellent site from Tom Hall. He fitted an electric pump to his MCI bus and while it's 24V, the same kind of installation can be done on any Foretravel. Tom Hall

After replacing both filters, I leave the secondary a turn or two loose. I use the manual pump on our U300 until diesel comes out between the housing and the spin on filter and then tighten 3/4 turn. Use a gallon freezer bag to keep diesel off ground.

Pierce

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #5 – April 23, 2018, 10:52:56 am

If there is not a hand plunger pump anywhere or a electric pump then top the filters with fuel all the way,sometimes you have to wait
til the fuel sinks all the way in.Only thing I can think of that the kid did was not top off the filters ALL the way or he took the old ones off and waited too long,have the new ones topped off and ready,then take the old ones off and change as fast as possible.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #6 – April 23, 2018, 10:55:19 am

Agree with Pierce but he says he has no hand pump,unless it's hidden near secondary filter.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #7 – April 23, 2018, 10:59:12 am

Learned the hard way, now always carry a 2 gal jug of diesel with me in case I need to top off a new filter before installing.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #8 – April 23, 2018, 11:37:01 am

Quote from: John44 – April 23, 2018, 10:55:19 am

Agree with Pierce but he says he has no hand pump,unless it's hidden near secondary filter.

I thought all diesels had a manual pump on the secondary side. Ours does, above the CAT filter.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #9 – April 23, 2018, 12:00:38 pm

Somebody with a 5.9 will chime in.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #10 – April 23, 2018, 12:08:35 pm

Quote from: John44 – April 23, 2018, 12:00:38 pm

Somebody with a 5.9 will chime in.

Yup, THIS is the correct answer. Sorry, I have not worked with the early Cummins B engine.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #11 – April 23, 2018, 12:16:33 pm

Slim,have you registered your engine on the Cummins site,you can then look up info.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #12 – April 23, 2018, 08:04:56 pm

5.9 (my previous 94 U225 FT) did have a manual thumb pump but that did not help, had to "unscrew and open one of the injectors just enough to let air run out then the engine started."

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #13 – April 24, 2018, 09:30:31 am

Quote from: propman – April 23, 2018, 08:04:56 pm

5.9 (my previous 94 U225 FT) did have a manual thumb pump but that did not help, had to "unscrew and open one of the injectors just enough to let air run out then the engine started."

Is that a manual pump/lever on the engine-driven mechanical pump?

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #14 – April 24, 2018, 10:38:45 am

Thanks for the input folks. John44, I can't find the engine serial number on my engine to register at the Cummins site but I did see a serial number for a rebuilt starter. I hope the original starter didn't burn up because of a fuel filter changing issue.
Section 3 of the Foretravel Owner's Manuel says that neither the Cummins B5.9 or the 3116 Cat require priming. Both the primary and secondary filters (located on the passenger side) are to be filled completely with fresh fuel.
HOWEVER, priming may be necessary in the event the engine has run out of fuel and I presume this would also be the case if one did not pre-fill the filters. There are 5 steps in priming the engine and one of them is filling the fuel filters. Another step involves loosening all 6 fuel injector line nuts.
I guess you can see why I asked this question.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #15 – April 24, 2018, 10:50:46 am

I had a 5.9 in a previous coach and I have one in a 96 pickup now. I can tell you there is a mechanical pump on these engines, but I have never had to use it on a filter change. I usually run the engine for a few minutes so it is warm, remove the filter then I fill the new filter with clean fuel, reinstall and fire it up and bring engine speed up a little soon as it starts.
I do not know if your coach has a electric pump.
Not promoting this method, but I have used this method on the pickup since we bought it in 96.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #16 – April 24, 2018, 11:09:34 am

I have a 99 dodge with a 5.9 24 valve cummins, with an electric lift pump. After changing fuel filter I turn key switch on and off about 3 times, You can hear lift pump working to fill filter, then start and run at fast idle for a few seconds. If it didn't have elect pump I would probally prefill fuel filter. Works for me.
Bill

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #17 – April 24, 2018, 11:31:26 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – April 24, 2018, 10:38:45 am

Section 3 of the Foretravel Owner's Manuel says that neither the Cummins B5.9 or the 3116 Cat require priming. Both the primary and secondary filters (located on the passenger side) are to be filled completely with fresh fuel.
HOWEVER, priming may be necessary in the event the engine has run out of fuel and I presume this would also be the case if one did not pre-fill the filters. There are 5 steps in priming the engine and one of them is filling the fuel filters. Another step involves loosening all 6 fuel injector line nuts.
I guess you can see why I asked this question.

Sorry, this is INCORRECT information for the Caterpillar 3116 (U240). Per Caterpillar, install both filters DRY. Use manual primer pump to prime (unscrew and push in/out). It will go from very easy (air is compressible) to VERY hard after 50+ strokes. The "easy to hard" will occur within 1 to two strokes when the fuel system is full of fuel (non-compressible). No bleeding injectors needed. Be sure to screw the manual pump handle back in when you are finished.

BTW, this is not just theory, it exactly how I did it for 150,000+ miles!

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #18 – April 24, 2018, 01:03:06 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 24, 2018, 11:31:26 am

Sorry, this is INCORRECT information for the Caterpillar 3116 (U240). Per Caterpillar, install both filters DRY. BTW, this is not just theory, it exactly how I did it for 150,000+ miles!

Not sure if Brett put the plastic bag over the bleeder, but it was a very smart idea, for many reasons!

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #19 – April 24, 2018, 01:07:35 pm

Yup, I did that to keep dirt out of the primer pump plunger and seals.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #20 – April 24, 2018, 01:14:42 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 24, 2018, 01:07:35 pm

Yup, I did that to keep dirt out of the primer pump plunger and seals.

That figures, it also keeps 'ham hands' away from it until needed.

I had the bleeder rattle open on my SOB, it was not pretty on a hill with no place to pull over!

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #21 – April 24, 2018, 02:16:07 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 24, 2018, 11:31:26 am

Sorry, this is INCORRECT information for the Caterpillar 3116 (U240). Per Caterpillar, install both filters DRY. Use manual primer pump to prime (unscrew and push in/out). It will go from very easy (air is compressible) to VERY hard after 50+ strokes. The "easy to hard" will occur within 1 to two strokes when the fuel system is full of fuel (non-compressible). No bleeding injectors needed. Be sure to screw the manual pump handle back in when you are finished.

BTW, this is not just theory, it exactly how I did it for 150,000+ miles!

That makes it even more intriguing for Cat owners. I quoted directly from the Foretravel Owner's Manual Section 3 - Engine, Unihome U225/U240 Rev 10-91, Page 3.1. "Diesel Engine Priming Instructions".

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #22 – April 24, 2018, 02:25:05 pm

Well, with the Caterpillar manual primer pump (on secondary fuel filter) on any Caterpillar engin,. Caterpillar recommends installing dry and using the primer pump.

And, to my knowledge, all Caterpillar engines used by Foretravel (certainly the 3116 and 3126)-- don't know about the 3208, did have Caterpillar secondary fuel filter housing with primer pump.

As many of you know, for more than the last decade, I have presented the Caterpillar RV Maintenance Seminars at the large FMCA Conventions. The above advice from Caterpillar Corp has been consistent for a lot longer than that.

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #23 – April 24, 2018, 02:58:49 pm

1985 3208

Re: Changing Fuel Filters 1993 U225

Reply #24 – April 24, 2018, 04:03:19 pm

Same style manual primer pump.

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