Metal Shavings in Fuel Filter

Discussion in 'International Forum' started by rebeccastransport, Apr 10, 2021.

  1. rebeccastransport

    rebeccastransport Bobtail Member

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    Our 2012 International Prostar with had lost it prime and would not crank. We took air filter off and sprayed starting fluid in it and got it started and took to shop. They replaced the high pressure fuel sensor on the fuel rail and the fuel filters. Upon replacing the fuel filters they said there were metal shavings in the fuel filter. Does that sound like the fuel pump is going bad? What else would cause metal shavings to be in the fuel filter?
     
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  3. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

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    Something is definitely going bad. You sure shouldn't have metal in your fuel. I would pull it off & have a look at it. All the best
     
  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    There's really no other place metal shavings could come from in a fuel filter than the pump. You might have to change injectors as the filter may not have caught all of it. To be honest, I never looked at the old filters, not sure how often pumps go bad. I never heard of it. A worn pump will lose it's prime.
     
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Most likely a fuel pump on its way out. Very, VERY slim chance you got some crap fuel. If its mostly metal and nothing else my money would be on fuel pump.

    This repair, if done right, will be VERY expensive. Many components will need to either be replaced or disassembled and cleaned. If metal has made it back to the tank and is being picked up on the inlet side again, the fuel system is 100% contaminated. Even the injectors are at risk of clogs and damage.
     
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  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    On these newer, high pressure common rail fuel systems those pumps make an incredible amount of pressure. Upwards of 20k to 30k PSI. Early HPCR ISX engines were notorious for the high pressure pump grenading, which resulted, in early stages, low fuel pressure. When they really bit the dirt they'd contaminate the engine oil and take out the crankshaft. Then you swing a new engine because the block was toast.

    Willing to bet the shop did an incorrect diagnosis for low fuel pressure and replaced the rail and sensor on OP's engine before they found the metal in the filters.
     
  7. ChuckMartel

    ChuckMartel Light Load Member

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    Yes shavings in the filter typically only come from the pump. Do you notice the pump “chattering” while running? Also check the fuel line from the Davco to your primer pump to make sure it’s not loose at the fittings, you will lose prime if it is.
     
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  8. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    Just my two cents but isn’t the fuel pump after the filters not before?
     
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  9. ChuckMartel

    ChuckMartel Light Load Member

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    Yes but the shavings get sent through the fuel return back into the tanks to be picked up.
     
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  10. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    It is. But fuel pump pumping fuel in excess. Some fuel injected into cylinders some fuel coming back to fuel tank. If fuel pump went bad there are three scenarios.
    Plungers only - will destroy injectors, lift pump, after treatment valves and injector.
    Fuel pump camshaft and rollers - will contaminate whole engine oil system.
    All the above - look for the new engine.
     
  11. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Yeah, fuel pump time. I think you have a Maxxforce, right? The low pressure pump is before the filter. So when the low pressure pump fails, it will send metal to the filter and cause hard or no start problems. Unfortunately, the low pressure pump is part of the high pressure pump assembly so the whole pump has to be changed.
     
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