QuestionI just changed my fuel filter on my 99 dodge cummins and i am trying to prime the system by reading some online material, however it has not been successful. I have asked around and some people say there may be a manual lever and others say it should pump electronically. I can here the pump turn on, but the filter canister doesn't seem to be filling up(I'm checking by opening up the drain and seeing if anything comes out is that OK?). I know I can't just start it up because it will stall. How do I prime the system and know when i can start it up?
AnswerREMOVAL
Draining water from filter canister:
The canister drain valve Drain Valve at Fuel Filter/Water Separator serves two purposes. One is to partially drain filter canister of excess water. The other is to completely drain canister for filter, heater or water-in-fuel sensor replacement.
The filter should be drained whenever water-in-fuel warning lamp remains illuminated. (Note that lamp will be illuminated for approximately two seconds when ignition key is initially placed in ON position for a bulb check)
A drain hose is located at bottom of drain valve Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components Place drain pan under drain hose.
With engine not running, rotate drain valve handle forward to OPEN (DRAIN) position Drain Valve at Fuel Filter/Water Separator Hold drain valve open until all water and contaminants have been removed and clean fuel exits drain hose.
If fuel filter, fuel heater or Water-In-Fuel (WIF) sensor is being replaced, drain canister completely. Dispose of mixture in drain pan according to applicable regulations.
After draining operation, rotate valve handle rearward to CLOSE position Drain Valve at Fuel Filter/Water Separator If fuel filter, fuel heater or WIF sensor is being replaced, proceed to next step.
Remove drain hose at drain valve Fuel Filter/Water Separator/Drain Hose Location
Disconnect Water-In-Fuel (WIF) sensor electrical connector at sensor. The WIF sensor is located at side of filter canister Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components
Loosen filter canister nut at top of header Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components while lowering canister assembly from header.
Remove and discard seals and center o-rings Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components
Remove filter element (cartridge) from canister.
Remove WIF sensor and its o-ring seal from canister Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components
Inspect WIF sensor probes Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components Carefully clean contaminants from sensor probes with a cloth if necessary. Replace sensor if probes are covered with contaminants and will not clean up.
Fuel Heater: The fuel heater is located inside fuel filter housing (header) Fuel Filter/Water Separator/Drain Hose Location , Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components or Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View) The heater mounting plate, heating element, temperature sensor and wiring harness are serviced as one assembly.
Disconnect heater pigtail harness electrical connector Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View) from main engine wiring harness near upper/rear of filter.
The plastic electrical connector Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View) at end of 2 - wire pigtail harness will have to be removed from wiring harness before attempting to pass harness through filter header.
Note locations (colors) of wires in connector before removing connector.
Remove clip Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components retaining wires to connector.
Remove wires from connector.
Remove 3 fuel heater mounting screws Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components or Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View)
Press down on heater sealing grommet Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components to remove heater from filter canister header.
Pass wire harness through hole in filter header while removing heater from header.
INSTALLATION
Clean inside of canister and canister header.
Fuel Heater:
Lift fuel heater assembly into filter header while passing wire harness upward through hole in header. Heater sealing grommet should protrude at top of filter header.
Install 3 fuel heater mounting screws Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View) or Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components and tighten to 2 - 3 N·m (15 - 20 in. lbs.) torque.
Install 2 wires into electrical connector and install connector clip.
Connect heater pigtail harness electrical connector Fuel Heater Mounting Screws (Bottom View) to main engine wiring harness.
Install new o-ring seal to WIF sensor.
Install WIF sensor to canister. Tighten to 2 - 3 N·m (15 - 20 in. lbs.) torque.
If drain valve assembly is being replaced, tighten mounting screws to 3 - 5 N·m (30 - 40 in. lbs.) torque.
Install new o-rings.
Install new seal between canister and canister header.
If filter canister is not filled with clean diesel fuel before installation, manual air bleeding of fuel system may be necessary (temporary rough engine running may occur) If necessary, refer to Air Bleed Procedures.
Load filter into canister.
Fill filter canister with clean diesel fuel.
Apply a light film of clean diesel oil to all seals.
Position canister assembly to canister header. Note locating tabs on canister should align into notch on canister header Fuel Filter/Water Separator Components
Install canister nut and tighten to 14 N·m (10 ft. lbs.) torque.
Connect electrical connector to WIF sensor.
Connect drain hose to bottom of drain valve.
Start engine and check for leaks.
