Fuel filter choice

[Jerry Emert]

I've seen the recommendations to use cat filters  I'm at Alliance today for LOF  Tech here told me he recommends Wix instead of cat fuel filters because cat is 5 micron and the Wix is 2 micron,a more efficient  cheaper, easier to get filter. He said he has taken them apart and the quality difference is obvious. So what is it?  Cat or Wix?  Thoughts?  Thanks.

[Mike Tomas]

I'd have that mechanic open one of them up for your own inspection, but just recently talking to Dave Atheron, I'd say stick with CAT this oil change and then do the research on the WIX. There's no harm with the CAT filter, but potentially with the WIX because it's a unknown.

[Jerry Emert]

I'd have that mechanic open one of them up for your own inspection, but just recently talking to Dave Atheron, I'd say stick with CAT this oil change and then do the research on the WIX. There's no harm with the CAT filter, but potentially with the WIX because it's a unknown.
[/quote
Thanks. I guess I should have added that I have my own cat filters and told home to put them on. Just curious at this point.
Jerry

[Mike Shumack]

Wix and Napa are good filters. But I just stick with CAT.
Interestingly, according the CAT publication "Application and Installation Guide, Diesel Fuels & Diesel Fuel System", CAT says they do not specify filters by micron ratings". I wonder where the mechanic is hearing that the CAT filter is 10 micron. The publication says that "As a rule, Caterpillar fuel filter media (paper) is about 3 microns nominal, 20 microns absolute". Furthermore, it says the specs for primary fule system elements is 10 Micron Nominal Filtration".

[Gerald Farris]

Jerry,
It does not make a lot of difference what brand of fuel filter you use for the primary fuel filter, but always use a Cat secondary filter. The "mechanic" that you are talking to has some creditability issues.

Gerald

[Jerry Emert]

Jerry,
It does not make a lot of difference what brand of fuel filter you use for the primary fuel filter, but always use a Cat secondary filter. The "mechanic" that you are talking to has some creditability issues.

Gerald

That’s what I told them. Secondary filter was to be cat which I supplied and the others I didn’t really care. Thanks.

[Dave Atherton]

Jerry thank you, reason many parts houses push other brand products because it is the lack
of understanding what type of engine they are dealing with in . The Caterpillar 2 micron 1R-0751
fuel filter is designed for all Caterpillar Heui injection systems to provide trouble free operation.
The reason we use 2 micron fuel filter only because engine has built in fail safe mode set up in
engine ECM to derate engine when fuel filter useful life is used. Other brand fuel filters with higher
Micron rating remove Caterpillar fail safe mode and allow the fuel filter fines to enter the fuel rail
and will cause injector failure over service periods. Caterpillar 2 micron fuel filters set up a 5 psi
resistance of fuel flow when installed new, when filter comes to end of life it sets up a 10 psi
resistance or back pressure that will trigger amber lamp and at 13 psi will derate engine power
down to 34 %. Indicating time to replace fuel filter. Other brand fuel filters with higher micron
Rating will not do this and the Caterpillar fail safe mode has been removed. Fuel filter 1R-0751
Used in all Caterpillar 3126 up to Cat C-9 engines, C-12 and up 1R-0749 fuel filters.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Jerry Emert]

Jerry thank you, reason many parts houses push other brand products because it is the lack
of understanding what type of engine they are dealing with in . The Caterpillar 2 micron 1R-0751
fuel filter is designed for all Caterpillar Heui injection systems to provide trouble free operation.
The reason we use 2 micron fuel filter only because engine has built in fail safe mode set up in
engine ECM to derate engine when fuel filter useful life is used. Other brand fuel filters with higher
Micron rating remove Caterpillar fail safe mode and allow the fuel filter fines to enter the fuel rail
and will cause injector failure over service periods. Caterpillar 2 micron fuel filters set up a 5 psi
resistance of fuel flow when installed new, when filter comes to end of life it sets up a 10 psi
resistance or back pressure that will trigger amber lamp and at 13 psi will derate engine power
down to 34 %. Indicating time to replace fuel filter. Other brand fuel filters with higher micron
Rating will not do this and the Caterpillar fail safe mode has been removed. Fuel filter 1R-0751
Used in all Caterpillar 3126 up to Cat C-9 engines, C-12 and up 1R-0749 fuel filters.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

Thanks Dave.  I have 1R-0749s on hand and gave them one to install.  They did put on a primary without a clear fuel bowl on the bottom but they assured me that this one is the same.  It still has a drain valve.  I appreciate you sharing your expertise with all of us!
Jerry

[Larry Dedrick]

Dave
       What would be the shelf life of the CAT fuel filters?

        Thanks      Larry Dedrick

[Dave Atherton]

Larry, if fuel filter in sealed box and plastic cap lid in place, the makeup of filter paper there is
not any shelf life date to be used. Think if you have a filter in your motorhome compartment
and is rolling around loose or top opening cap removed and out of shipping box, than the fuel
Filter has been exposed to the elements should not be used. Note: being a 2 micron dust coating
Inside a open filter would be enough ruin filter. Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Mike Shumack]

I carry a spare fuel filter in my coach but it is sealed in plastic. I used my wife's food vacuum sealer. It prevents moisture and dirt from contaminating the filter while in storage.

[Dwight Lakusta]

I am a Donaldson believer.  We run them at work on a fleet of units.  All the filters are built to maintain factory spec, and are built at a lower cost.  I have crossed all my filters to Donaldson, and have had great luck.