When to change?

The fuel pumps, I would think you have the newer two cylinder one. You need to make sure that it has the steel plungers. You do this by removing the head. You will need a new gasket if you do this. But, before you go tinkering with the fuel pump, you will need the proper procedures that can be found on Cummins QuickServe. Google it, register your motor and you should be able to find the repair or inspection procedures.

Now, the other issue with the fuel pump, if it has the steel plungers, you are still not out of the water. Was it rebuilt? Do you know? How many miles on the truck? The reason I ask, is because the rollers that help move those pistons are also grenading. It is not just a plunger issue! if it were me, i would remove the fuel pump, purchase a rebuild kit from Cummins and replace the plungers and rollers. The life expectancy on these pumps is roughly 400,000 miles before they blow apart. And when the do, if you do not catch immediately and shut the truck down, you will destroy your motor, including the block. Once those metal shavings enter the block, you can kiss that motor goodbye. I just saw one the other day when I was up at the local International dealer in Flint MI... It was going out to scrap.

Also, if you have the 3 cylinder pump, replace it with the two cylinder pump. Cummins had a campaign on this, but since has stopped it, which is criminal in my book, as they have done nothing to solve this very real and deadly problem. They brushed it under the rug, and if you are not proactive... You get the picture.

 

I know of 4 or 5 guys with their fuel filter like this. They had this problem for a few years, they keep driving, and change Filter when it reaches top. All Detroit engines. No other issues.

 

He has an ISX... And if you drive with filters like that, there is a problem. Not if you are a company driver, but if you own the truck.

 

I agree, the guys I know are all o/o. 1 thinks its just the fuel cooking in the head cause the restrictor was never drilled out.

 

Personally that filter is dirty but it don't look abnormally dirty. They all go dark like that after doing there job. They never stay white. Not sure what all the hoopla is about. Just change it out when the fuel level gets near the top 3/4 of the glass.

 

Brother, not mine, it has a tinge of yellow, from the fuel, it ain't black and grimy. My very first impression was asphaltene or algae. That is not normal in a healthy motor. Mine is about ready to turn one million miles with 100,000+ on an in frame. And even when my head was toast, I never had a Davco filter that looked like that. And yes, I do change my own Davco on occasion. That is NOT normal.

 

I wouldn't panic. Pull a oil sample and see what that looks like. That looks like every filter I changed on my Detroit 60. My Davco was my one and only fuel filter and had to change it sometimes every 6,000 miles. It's also a good idea to add killems biocide to your tanks once a month to help fight alagae. Some of this bio diesel is nasty and stuff loves to grow in it. I guess my point is I wouldn't start canceling loads and racking up huge shop bills just yet. I wasn't shocked at all when I saw that filter. Lol

 

no there are rollers in high pressure pump to. go to Cummins dealer and check your ESN. I think 2350 engine has metallic rollers and plungers.