Subtly longer start after fuel filter change

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JoeF2002, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
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    Hey gang - DD15 motor on 2017 Western Star. Approx 90,000 miles. I recently changed all of the fuel filters (pre screen, main, and water separator). First time I've ever done it on my own. I was careful not to allow air into the system, made sure the clear housing was consistently filled with diesel during priming, and followed many of the online tutorials and videos on how to change them and reprime the engine properly. Generally things went very well.

    I have 2 questions:

    a) On the initial startup, it took about 4-5 seconds to turn over. Definitely longer than usual, but that was expected based on what I saw in the online tutorials. It idled fine for 20 minutes. I turned it off. For testing sake, I tried starting it again a few times throughout the day. The startup seemed to get a little better each time, but still remains a tad longer than it usually takes. Now (after about 5 starts) it maybe takes 2 - 3 seconds to turn over. Which seems to be a bit longer than before the fuel filter change. I will say temps are cold here in PA, but I've also plugged in the coils to heat things up for a few hours before starting.

    Should I be concerned about this slightly longer startup time? I realize it's only a second or 2 compared to before, but I want to err on the side of caution.

    b) Right now the truck is parked. It hasn't been driven since the fuel filter change. But I let it idle at high RPMs for maybe 20 minutes at a time, several times throughout that same day as the change. Every single time it sounded great and doesn't show any indications of hesitation or stalling. I don't plan on physically driving it again for about a week or two. But is it safe to say that it should be good to drive, given that the idling seemed fine? (I just don't want to end up stuck somewhere with an unexpected issue related to the slightly longer startup that may surface only after driving it for a while)

    Appreciate the advice everyone!
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    @mhyn @QUALITYTRUCK


    Myself I don't think you've got anything to worry about but the 2 folks I tagged know their way around the Detroits a lot better than I from what I've read.


    Off topic but do you have any Canada visits planned this year for OP?
     
  4. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Saylorsburg, PA
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    Thx. I've been working hard trying to get something up North for my Canadian friends but so far nothing is scheduled
     
    AModelCat Thanks this.
  5. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    Is it red Baldwin fuel filter by chance?
     
  6. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
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    No Davco
     
  7. QUALITYTRUCK

    QUALITYTRUCK Road Train Member

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    romulus,mi
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    You should be fine after a prolonged (longer than 30 minute) drive. Keeping air out of the Davco filter is the easy part. There is no way to keep air out of the system for the other filters. That's why there's a priming pump. You have to pump it about 50 times for a smooth start up.
     
    Rideandrepair and sealevel Thank this.
  8. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Saylorsburg, PA
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    Yeah we far exceeded that number. Pumping easily 300 times
     
  9. QUALITYTRUCK

    QUALITYTRUCK Road Train Member

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    Believe it or not 300 is not out of the ordinary! Good guy on here, Mhyn, has a great write up with part numbers on how to build a priming pump with a weed sprayer. Use search box.
     
  10. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    I know not the right place to post it, but I have an early Essoc fuel prime roll around cart that a large fleet was throwing away if someone is looking for one.
     
    SAR Thanks this.
  11. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    Rev up the motor to 1300-1400 rpm for 3-4 minutes after the filter change.

    Not sure why you can run all day or climb a long mountain grade13-14 hundred rpm for 20 minutes plus and not see the same effect as just running it "high idle" with no load.
     
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
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