Old school Canister Style < Fuel & oil Filters > vs Spin On

Nineforever · November 22, 2011, 08:46:22 PM

Evening every one
What in your opinion is the better way to go Canister w/ replac-able cartridge or spin on i kinda think the older style canister don't have to worry about flying gravel just the way I'm thinking

buswarrior · November 23, 2011, 12:46:40 AM

Converting takes time and some money.

If you have the rest of the things done, that you have time, and you still have some money,

Then convert away?

The old cartridge style are a little more messy to change, but the cartridge is cheaper than a spin on.

Keeping the project on your "later" list, you keep your eye out, and you'll stumble on the spin-on filter mounts at a flea market or bus swap for a cheap price.

In short, the fuel is happy being filtered by either style.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

TomC · November 23, 2011, 07:37:06 AM

When I got my bus, the two fuel filters were already spin on. My canister remote mounted oil filter broke in between Redding and Eureka on highway 299. Got a mechanic from Eureka to bring a replacement one out. But it leaked. Had him change it to a spin on. Then when I got home changed the position of the remote filter (easy to get to only if you were over a pit) to being mounted by the right side transmission door (really easy now). My transmission filter is still the old canister type. When I change the filter, I just remove the whole thing-much easier to service. But it is still a pain.

Most all new Diesel engines have built in filters (not canister types). On the new Detroit DD engines all of the engines (DD13, DD15, DD16) all use the same filters. There is a oil filter, water filters, primary and secondary fuel filter with a pre filtering washable screen too. All filters are on the top of the engine-meaning you only have to get underneath to drain the oil. And with 50,000 mile over the road or 35,000 mile in town oil change intervals, you're changing oil about half as often as the competition. With a Davco 482 fuel/water separator (specially made just for the DD engines) the fuel filters typically can go 100,000 miles. Not quite like my Caterpillar 3406B that has a 12,000 mile oil change interval. Just shows how much cleaner burning the new engines are. Good Luck, TomC

Boomer · November 23, 2011, 08:00:43 AM

The Davco fuel filters (382/482) are the way to go: far outlasts canister or spin on's, you can actually see when the filter needs changing, you have the ability to drain off any water, and losing your prime when changing the element is greatly reduced, plus the elements are only around 10.00. As for the oil filter I have never heard of a rock penetrating a spin on, if that is an issue mount it in a different place. Spin on's eliminate leaks.

luvrbus · November 23, 2011, 08:02:42 AM

Remote mount a spin on is the way to go IMO

travlinman · November 23, 2011, 05:54:50 PM

Having just changed my fuel and oil filters, I would say go with the spin on. Makes a big job ( service ) just that much easier. IF you have the cash and the space go for the Davco.

TM

Boomer · November 23, 2011, 07:00:37 PM

Hagerman Truck Parts in Portland has surplus new take off Davco 382's that they get from the Freightliner/Western Star plant in town. Last one I bought was 100.00 including the element. Never had fuel in it. www.hagermanparts.com

Oonrahnjay · November 23, 2011, 07:11:37 PM

It would take arranging a "base' with the screw-on center pipe and connections for your fuel lines (into and out of the filter) but a really good filter is the Caterpiller IR-750 filter. It's a large flow filter and has a high-percentage-absolute filtration of 2 micron contaminants. That's *clean* fuel! But it might make a good secondary filter. Spin-on elements about about $13.50.

Barn Owl · November 23, 2011, 08:17:00 PM

I have the original canister filters. My mechanic talked me out of changing to spin on. He showed me how easy it was to change, and he likes the fact you can see what the filters have picked up. Stay with what you have and spend the money on other things. Old school is the new cool!

gus · November 24, 2011, 07:46:19 PM

My 4104 still has the original stacked disc primary fuel filter and I really like it, wish my 4107 had one.

The good part is you don't need to buy filters and don't need to carry spares.

All you need to clean the filter is a spray can of carb cleaner or any other good solvent and enough diesel to refill it. It also has a bottom water drain valve. Really cool.

bevans6 · November 25, 2011, 04:55:34 AM

"Old school is the new cool!"

What you need to do in that case is chrome the sucker! It ain't old school till it's chromed! Or maybe anodize the head bright blue... Bright blue head and chromed can!

My reason for going to the spin on is perhaps naive - I believe the modern filters just do a better job. I don't think the old style elements have been upgraded and I don't think they can filter as well as a current, top of the line Donaldson filter.

Brian

Oonrahnjay · November 25, 2011, 05:18:14 AM

Quote from: bevans6 on November 25, 2011, 04:55:34 AM(snip) I believe the modern filters just do a better job. I don't think the old style elements have been upgraded and I don't think they can filter as well as a current, top of the line Donaldson filter.

For some of us, it's not a stretch to believe that. My "factory stock" oil filter was originally a chicken wire cylinder (about the size of a can of tennis balls) wrapped in a bassetbaw sock. There isn't a spin-on available for it but the "drop in" is a great improvement.