Fuel Pro Leave it on or take it all off

[rayshound]

I have purchased a fuel pro to put on my series 60 ddec4. I was going to remove the primary & secondary filters off of the engine. One filter has a test point & a ddec fuel pressure switch on it. I could put a block or tee in the line near the fuel pump and install the switch or leave both filters on the engine. My question is would there be a restriction in the fuel flow by having the two original fuel filters and the fuel pro?  Thanks Ray

[gumpy]

Ray,

When I installed my FuelPro about 3 or 4 years ago, I just put it inline, ahead of the primary filter and left both the primary and secondary filters in place, since I didn't have time to replumb them. I ran it that way up until last month, when I finally removed them and replumbed the fittings to/from the pump. This included the pressure switch on the starter circuit and splitting the pump output for each side of the engine. I also installed a gauge. I had to make up a manifold, which I did out of a 3-way air brass air manifold I found at Northern Tool, and a brass nipple, which I brazed to a piece of steel to make a bracket to bolt it to the engine using one of the holes where the secondary filter bracket had been mounted to the water pump. I had to put a couple fittings on the inlet side of the pump, but was able to reuse all my hoses.

Anyway, it did not present a problem with fuel restriction that I noticed. I had new filters on the primary and secondary when I installed the fuelpro. I changed the fuelpro filter maybe 3 or 4 times since installation, and had not changed the primary or secondary filters at all. I didn't notice any difference in power after removing them. The fuelpro filters out a finer particle than the primary or secondary filters do.

Do it whichever way works for you. It shouldn't be a problem leaving them on.

If you'd like photos of my installation and replumbing, let me know.

craig

[rayshound]

Thanks Craig, I appreciate the info.  Ray

[rv_safetyman]

First of all, the Fuel Pro is one of the best additions a person can make to a bus.  In addition to having a great filter, it makes re-priming an engine a piece of cake.  It also gives you a graphic tool for trouble shooting your fuel system.

Now, to the plumbing.  I removed both engine filters and use only the Fuel Pro.  Someone pointed out that plumbing the system that way, gives you zero protection if the fuel pump would spit up.  I have never heard of that happening, but it is something to think about.

[gumpy]

Jim,

What do you mean "spit up"?  Disintegrate internally and send pieces downstream?

Somehow, I suspect if the fuel pump breaks, it's not going to matter much since there's not going to be any fuel flowing then, anyway (the pump's broke unless it's possible the pump could wear itself and send shavings or something downstream.

I wonder if a simple small inline filter would be appropriate between the pump and the injectors? Wouldn't need to be very big.

craig

[rv_safetyman]

Craig, not sure what could happen to a fuel pump, but the fact remains that there is no filter between the pump and the injectors when you plumb it like we did.

The pump is a gear drive, and with the great filter ahead of it, there should not be any foreign material that would cause the gear surfaces to wear. 

I am not too concerned about any problems, but it might not be a bad idea to leave the secondary filter in the circuit just to be on the safe side.  I doubt that you would ever need to change it.

[Stan]

DD fuel pumps frequently wear out so there must be metal wearing off. Any ones I have taken apart the obvious wear was on the end plates.

[JackConrad]

When we added the FuelPro to our MC-8 8V71N we installed the FuelPro on the engine compartment bulkhead before the OEM primary filter.  We installed new filter elements in the OEM cartridges when we installed the FuelPro. Approx. 22,000 miles since doing this. We have changed the FuelPro element once and have never touched the OEM elements. Just our way,  YMMV, Jack

[gus]

OK guys, I give up - what is a  FuelPro?

[DrivingMissLazy]

http://www.davcotec.com/filterswork.html

Every Davco Fuel Processor is a combination of important features to provide processed fuel to your engine. More than a simple filter, a Processor makes the filter work better and last longer while it also strips water from the fuel.


SEEING IS BELIEVING®

Clicking on the image to the left will bring up a pop-up window containing a user-controlled slide show of our "Seeing Is Believing®" technology. It explains the technology step-by-step and even includes information on how to perform a maintenance check.

Fuel is filtered in a special way in a Fuel Processor. On a new filter, fuel only climbs a short way up the filter before it goes through the filter media. As dirt plugs the small holes in the filter, the fuel is forced to climb even higher to find clean filter media. When all the filter media has been clogged with dirt, the fuel will rise to the very top of the filter. It is easy to see when the filter needs replacement in a Fuel Processor. It's a matter of "Seeing Is Believing®".


WATER SEPARATION

Fuel enters the Fuel Processor below the filter where most of the trapped water is easily removed.
The fuel then rises into the filter chamber where any remaining water is repelled by the filter. The water, heavier than the fuel, falls into the bottom collection chamber of the Fuel Processor.

When fuel enters the Fuel Processor, heavy dirt (as well as water) falls to the bottom of the collection chamber. This makes for longer filter life and for easy removal of the collected dirt and water.

Each time the engine is shut off, loose dirt on the filter surface falls away to drop to the collection chamber. Naturally, this extends the life of the filter even more.








FUEL HEATING OPTIONS

A fuel heater is an option in any Fuel Processor. For those operating in cold climates, preventing fuel waxing from clogging filters is the only way to keep an engine running. Davco's optional fuel heaters stop wax from forming before it can clog filters. A thermostat valve controls heated engine coolant, or warm return fuel, to heat the cold incoming fuel. The heater, buried in fuel, wastes no heat to cold outside air. Wax free fuel flows directly to the filter to keep engines running. In hot weather the thermostat valve shuts off to keep fuel at its optimum temperature in the Processor.







FUEL PRE-HEATING OPTIONS

Cold weather start up, for any diesel engine, is a "hope it will" proposition. Davco Fuel Processor Filter Pre-heaters make it a "sure will" situation. By warming a vital pool of fuel right below the filter before starting the engine, wax and fuel gel are gone and engines start easily. Davco Pre-heaters are available in 12 and 24 volt DC types and in an "overnight" 120 volt AC model. Naturally these heaters are intended as aids to starting and NOT as full-time fuel heating devices.
Biodiesel Note: The use of tank heaters and fuel line heaters may also be required when using more than 20% biodiesel blend.

[JackConrad]

The clear plastic bowl on the top of the FuelPro is also a great diagnostic tool.
No fuel visible=Fuel starvation issue
Air bubbles present when engine is running=air leak between filter and tank
Black stuff on filter element=Algae problem
Fuel level at top of filter when engine running=plugged filter.
Jack

[JimC]

Hi Guys,
What model fuel pro did you buy, I see several different models on the Eplace all the time, not sure what one to pick up.
Thanks
JimCallaghan 4106
Wisconsin

[gumpy]

Model 382.

Here's a photo of my installation.

[rayshound]

Craig,

       Good picture, it is the same one I bought from e place, I do have a question, what is that device along the top of the clear bowl with a hose on each end?  Thanks Ray

[Dreamscape]

How was it listed on ebay? I have not been able to find anything past couple of days.

This sounds like something to install in the future on my green monster.

Paul

Dreamscape