How Far CAN You Go On FF Filters?

Keith Browning · January 10, 2014

I thought I had seen some pretty impressive evidence of neglect in my time but this one is right near the top. A 2008 6.4L with 178,000 miles (5687 hours) that I just pulled out FF (First Fit) fuel filters with a date code of September 29, 2006. NICE! :crazy: It was brought in for stalling and then crank no start when the temperatures were in the teens. I suspect the fuel was starting to gel up but if that had not happened I am scared to think how much farther it would have gone? :ohnoes:

Aaron · January 10, 2014

That's pretty impressive.

I'm not changing mine every 6000 miles anymore! Lol

lmorris · January 10, 2014

Time to update the service advisors on fuel filter replacement scedules. Thanks Keith, you gonna make some customers happy.....LOL!

DieselD · January 13, 2014

Impressive to say the least! I wouldnt even think that would be possible.

I linked one of our 6.4 failures to a lack of fuel filter changes, we only drove the thing about 60k without changing them.

Aaron · January 15, 2014

Just pull them, blow em out with compressed air and return to service. Good for another 100,000.

batmantech · February 11, 2014

Did a 2011 6.7 yesterday 85,000 miles original filters. (3 port on top one) Original owner said he has never change it.

Steve Mutter · February 12, 2014

Just had a 2011 with 128 000 kms, three port on top.

Aaron · February 12, 2014

People can swing $1000 a month for a truck payment but can't handle a couple hundred bucks for some fucking fuel system insurance?

Jim Warman · February 12, 2014

Aaron, You must first remember that "proper maintenance" is repairing breakdowns whenever they occur. A vehicle, therefore, does not require proper maintenance if it will still move under its own impetus since "broken" means "wont move".

Aaron · February 12, 2014

LOL

batmantech · February 12, 2014

The part that bothers me is this is a school bus service company. I wonder what other "maintenance" they will just not do.

I will respectfully disagree with Jim on this topic. Proper maintenance means less chance of something bad happening that could easily been avoided.

A fluid or filter miss is one thing that can be argued to be "not needed". But other things cannot. A miss inspection, maintenance and lube of a badly worn tie rod end would not stop the bus from moving. But it should be done.

Aaron · February 13, 2014

I think the sarcasm is lost in print, batman. I'm fairly certain he's stating the way it is, not the way it should be.

Brad Clayton · February 13, 2014

Fer sure.

Jim Warman · February 13, 2014

The part that bothers me is this is a school bus service company. I wonder what other "maintenance" they will just not do.

I will respectfully disagree with Jim on this topic. Proper maintenance means less chance of something bad happening that could easily been avoided.

A fluid or filter miss is one thing that can be argued to be "not needed". But other things cannot. A miss inspection, maintenance and lube of a badly worn tie rod end would not stop the bus from moving. But it should be done.

I see the sarcasm got lost somewhere. I would hope by now that most readers would see how maintenance is my religion. If you visit most any automotive forum, you will see that most owners appear to call driving from one breakdown to the next as "normal maintenance".

FWIW, back when I worked regularly (and that will come again if we can get rid of the chemotherapy), I preached the importance of maintenance inspections to anyone that would listen. You will find that upselling the repairs you find to be profitable.

batmantech · February 13, 2014

I guess that I have been doing this stuff to long. Have been dealing with more than the regular share of people and things that are making me miss the sarcasm in things. Yes I thought it was slightly out of character for you, I think I need another vacation from work !