Fuel filter change ... is this normal?
 

Today, I changed the fuel filters for the first time since purchasing the truck. I bought the truck with 101K on it. The Oasis report showed the filters were last replaced around 97K ... I just turned 115K.

I installed the top filter without problem ... it was pretty dirty.

I dropped down below and opened the drain plug and the fuel just kept coming. After about a half gallon or so, I decided to just dig into the filter. I unscrewed the filter and fuel kept pouring out. I filled about a gallon jug as I prepared the filter for installation and got it back on. It was a bit more than a trickle ... a good solid 1/8" stream coming from the drain and the filter housing. After I was finished there was one huge mess. This certainly wasn't a well thought out system ... not at all like my Cummins filter change.

My question: Should fuel continue to flow from the filter housing during the filter change?

I had a lot of junk in the main filter. It was brown and looked like clumped sand ... algae?

Yikes. Usually, I replace mine at around 10k. 15k is probably acceptable by most standards. When I do change mine the bottom filter is usually pretty dirty, but the one up top is usually pretty clean. In my experience, having a top filter that dirty means they haven't been changed in a while. Which also means they likely hadn't drained the water separator either. Just a guess though. Just be happy you got it now,I don't think I'd sweat it too much, the stock filtration setup us pretty good actually.

How about the fuel flowing; is that normal? Your lack of concern about that issue makes me think it is ... LOL!

You didn't prime the system after replacing the top filter and before you changed the lower filter did you?? if so it will keep a siphon going. With no fuel up top it won't do that so make sure to change the top first then do the bottom before you prime it.

No, I didn't prime between. I changed the top filter and then the bottom. I read something that said the level of the fuel in the tank has a lot to do with it; however, I find that hard to believe. I had about 3/4 of a tank when I did the service.