Biodiesel Fuel Filter Questions
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Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 12
From: Central, SC
Biodiesel Fuel Filter Questions
I have a question regarding my 06 dodge 2500 and B20. I have just started running B20 in my truck and am trying to find a good quality fuel filter to run with it. Currently I am running the facory Mopar filter, but didn't know if there was something out there that would work better with the bio-diesel. I'm getting ready to change out my filter this weekend, so I need to figure it out pretty quick. I saw that afe was making fuel filters, but couldn't find them on the site, so maybe i was wrong.
Duramax Virgin
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 99
From: Ponca City, OK
You can just use regular fuel filters when you run bio -- the only thing is you need to make sure and stay on top of changing them regularly as the bio will start to clean out your fuel system (the higher the % of bio, the greater its cleaning properties)
The Cummins Store here in San Antonio sells the Cummins/Fleetguard filter for about $13.50. (From what I understand, the Mopar is just a rebranded Fleetguard.)
Don't forget it's a water separator as well as a fuel filter.
Don't forget it's a water separator as well as a fuel filter.
Duramax Virgin
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 99
From: Ponca City, OK
Here is the answer I got from a friend of mine that huge into biodiesel... 
Originally Posted by Blue01F250
Hey man, I was on another diesel site and came across something I wanted to ask you. They were saying you needed to use a different fuel filter to run bio because of water? Is that so you can run "not so dry" bio, cause as I understand it, is if you dry your bio good enough, you shoudl'nt ahve to worry about water... right?
Just wanted to check!!
Brant
Just wanted to check!!
Brant
Originally Posted by Sciulli
Well from what I've seen is that most commerical engine producers(Cummins in particular) reccomend using a Stratpore filter(somesort of new type of media). I'm in the process of dumping my truck for a newer(06+) model so I'm just kinda along for the ride right now. They make those filters for Cummins(I think fleetguard does) so if you could find one for your Ford it would not be a bad decision to snag one. I used the crappiest crap filter set i could find on ebay since i figured it would be plugged in no time. Once I change again(maybe), I'll go with a quality one and see, but so far so good. As for the water...the real issues with water in BD is the suspended water(IE water that can easily pass right through a filter). So simply changing your filter to a biodiesel specific one(unless there has been some sort of break through that I'm not aware of) may help reduce some water content... but It not going to solve all of the issues. It would be no different then having water in your regular diesel fuel. A fuel water seperator would do just the same.... infact a FASS system would be a pretty good investment, cause they use fleetguard filters...so you could problay find one for usage in that.
I've gotten the same info... (Fass or Air Dog are recommended, for other reasons as well.)
From what I understand the stratopore filters, whether used in stock Cummins filter, the Fass or the Air Dog, (Air Dog is one of the sponsors here) only remove water that is not emulsified into the fuel. The water that is in biodiesel is emulsified or suspended, so the filter can not remove water in this state.
The water that is removed with the filter/water separator is "free" water. Emulsified water you won't see and it won't settle out. Free water you would see the water droplets.
Biodiesel still must be dried thoroughly during the manufacuring process to remove the water. A test for water of biodiesel is to bring the fuel to water boiling temp to see is it sizzles at just over 212 degrees. (So, I'm told. I have a gas stove and don't want to burn down my house.)
From what I understand the stratopore filters, whether used in stock Cummins filter, the Fass or the Air Dog, (Air Dog is one of the sponsors here) only remove water that is not emulsified into the fuel. The water that is in biodiesel is emulsified or suspended, so the filter can not remove water in this state.
The water that is removed with the filter/water separator is "free" water. Emulsified water you won't see and it won't settle out. Free water you would see the water droplets.
Biodiesel still must be dried thoroughly during the manufacuring process to remove the water. A test for water of biodiesel is to bring the fuel to water boiling temp to see is it sizzles at just over 212 degrees. (So, I'm told. I have a gas stove and don't want to burn down my house.)
FormerVendor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 29
Fleetguard has made our Fuel Preporator/AirDog fuel filters for us, with Stratapore Inside since ???? It has been so long, I will have to go back and check the records. The AirDog filters are available in 3, 5, and 10 microns.
Charlie
P.S.
The current price of the AirDog makes it a give away anyway, doesn't it??
Charlie
P.S.
The current price of the AirDog makes it a give away anyway, doesn't it??
Last edited by AirDog; Dec 16, 2007 at 02:49 PM. Reason: Add Post Script
