Was -25 when i left Walcot this morning, was amazing how many trucks broke down just as they were getting on the on ramp

 

Use the alcohol in the air lines, not in the fuel. Ever since trucks have gone over to electronic injectors, alcohol will damage them. The additives that are out today do not use alcohol for that reason. But, putting about one shot-glass in each gladhand can keep your brakes and air system working. I've found that it's not a bad idea to take the pressure line off the compressor and put about a shotglass in there too, then screw it back on. Keeps the tractor working better in cold weather. If you've ever had the tractor lines freeze up, you know what I mean.

 

Where are these fuel filters located on a 2007 Freightliner Columbia??
Night before last at -13F, I could not get above 50MPH on flat ground and struggled with 35MPH on any small incline. What tools are needed and can this be accomplished by a novice mechanic?

 

Most fuel filters are located somewhere along the frame rails. All you need is an oil filter wrench that has a band. You unscrew it just like an oil filter and then put the new filter on the same way. It is a good idea to put a little fuel around the gasket to help it seal properly. Make sure you refill the new filter with fuel or or transmission fuel. If your engine has ice in it then it would probably be best to just put diesel in the filter. Transmission fluid can clean the injectors. It should not take but a few minutes to change out a filter. They resemble an oil filter. Some engines have more than one fuel filter. They should be close to one another. If you have a drain **** on your filter you can minimize problems by draining the moisture out every day when in extremely cold temperatures. It is the water that causes the problem. If you can keep it out of your fuel then it will reduce the likelihood of a problem. The same thing can apply to your air lines. Draining your air lines each day to keep moisture from collecting in them can minimize the potential problem of freezing. If you are not familiar with them it is usually located just under the cabin and over the drivers side fuel tank. It is usually a steel cable. You pull the cable and it will allow air and any moisture to escape. It should be obvious if there moisture in your lines. Again, it is moisture that causes problems. Keep moisture out of your system and you keep any problems to a minimum.

 

I don't know how your truck is equipped, but on mine, the fuel filter is located on the left side (I have a Detroit), about the back third of the engine. It is mounted to the frame rail, and has a clear top. Never had it appart, but it looks like it has a cartridge filter inside. Since I have never had any reason to look at how it comes apart, you'll have to look at that yourself. I think Gman may be right and the top may unscrew. Before you take it apart, you will want to drain enough fuel so that you won't have fuel all over the place when the top comes off. I believe that will be the whole clear plastic top.

 

Two main types of fuel filters...The screw on type, such as G-man described Gary, and the Davco(the clear bubble with a cartridge filter) that Windwalker described. The Davco is the easiest to change, and to prime. It's best to have the wrench for the filter. one portion is designed to unscrew the base ring, the other portion is designed to unscrew the top plug.

The canister type filter, which as G-man said looks like an "oil" filter, works just like the oil filter on your car. Some times, companies order the trucks built with a duel filter system, where youy have a primary and secondary filter. The primary filter is usually half again as big as the secondary filter, and sometimes they have a pet-**** for draining water out of the filter. They are usually mounted on the drivers-side frame of the truck. A regular oil filter wrench with work to unscrew them. So will a screw driver and your belt.

Best bet to prevent problems, is have the filter changed on dayshift, then make certain that Power Service is added during each refuel. I always added one gallon of Power Service, per tank. I put it in, before fueling, so it gets mixed half way decent while fuel is pumping into the tank.

:thumbsup:

 

Yeah i seen the truck nosed in the bridge on 74.. I guess you could say he was lucky keeping the rubber side down and not hitting the brige to hard.... But how can wrecking be lucky?

 

A word of CAUTION!! If you drive a tractor with a Cummins ISX engine.....and you have never changed a fuel filter....learn how to do it. Its hidden behind the frame on the left side of the engine in KW T-600's, and I have seen mechanics have a hard time with it. The top of the filter has a rubber lip that has to pass over a flange and the threads have to line up properly or the filter or filter mount can get screwed up.....and if that happens its down hill from there.

Best to keep the fuel souped up as best as possible and get the fuel filter changed sooner than required.....

 

My ISX has a fuel filter on the outside of the frame, as well as one on the driver's side of the engine. Neither are hidden on the 379 Petes.

 

I always added a bottle of alcohol to each tank once a week at fill-up and that kept the water out of the tanks. I've never heard of this having any affect on the injectors. I also carried 911 with me and also a little 1 gal gas can filled with a bottle of 911 and the rest with fuel for the fuel filter when changing it.
I had an international that froze up all of the time. It had the fuel filter in a glass bowl near the front of the engine and when ice would form in the pet**** the truck would stop. I solved this by wrapping the filter in some of that foil bubble-wrap insulation then zip tieing it on and then got some of that foam pipe insulation that come in 3 foot length's and put it on the return line all the way back to the tanks. Never had another problem and the head of Maintenance liked the idea so much he did all of the company trucks up like that for the winter and the freeze-ups went down almost to zero.

JB sucks in a lot of ways but they really push the fuel additives and let us get it at every fuel stop with an automatic PO, no out of pocket money. One thing they don't let us carry is a spare fuel filter. I asked about it when I got into the truck and the mechanic was horrified and said that they didn't train drivers to change the filter because it was "complicated". Did I mention that the company has a bunch of doofuses driving for them? Including me, I fear

That advice about buying fuel in the south and heading north is good. I used to run Northern New Hampshire to Florida every week and after one gelling incident always made sure to treat my fuel before going back north and also fill the truck at home and let it idle for 30 min before shutting it down to let the fuel mix.