3rd Dumb Question Fuel Filter removal?

[pameridan04]

Hi Guys:

How the heck do you get at the Fuel Filter on a 04 Meridian 36G DP. It is behind the grill at the back of the coach. The top grill opens up with the roller skate keys and lifts up.

But the loweer grill on bottom looks solid. I can see the Fuel Filter but can't get at it.

Am I missing something?

Regards Jim P.

[Chuck 1935]

I just reached down and used a oil filter wrench on it, came righe off. If it's like mine it has a Cat 330 and the filter you are trying to get off is the only one on there. Make sure you have the 2 micron filter with the clear plastic bottom. Most shops replace the filter with the wrong one.

[THutch]

If the lower grill is the same as 2005, you can reach through the slats. I can reach my filter through the lower grill.

[CaptBill]

Slip a larger ziplok bag over the filter, after loosening it through thru grill, (openings in mine are large enough) with your strap wrench, then reach through the grill and spin it off while holding it, pass it up over the top. It's really not difficult at all.

[pameridan04]

Hi guys:

I will have to take another look. My grill openings didn't look that big.

The plastic bag is a good idea for not spilling gas.

Regards... Jim P.

[Chuck 1935]

GAS ????

[pameridan04]

Yeah, Yeah... D. Fuel.... cut me a break I am new at this.

Jim P.

[Chuck 1935]

Jim, I know you know. The above advice about putting the filter wrench through the slats is correct. If your set up is the same as mine ,you have only one filter. It is that rear filter and it should have the clear plastic base with a drain screw. Don't throw the plastic part away. It unscrews and is used on the new filter, which should be a two micron filter. I pre filled the filter with trans fluid just to make sure I didn't get air in the system although it is not neccessary.

[skigramp]

why tranny fluid?

the techs where I have mine changed use diesel ...

[AFChap]

why

Why indeed?? My Cummins manual (350hp ISC) clearly says NOT to prefill the fuel filter with diesel or anything else...

[Chuck 1935]

Cummins might not want it prefilled but Cat is OK with it. As far as trans fluid is concerned it is just like Diesel. I'll bet you don't have a can of Diesel sitting around but you probably have a quart of trans fluid and you know it's clean. It works trust me. Just to be clear, you can use either Diesel fuel or trans fluid, whichever is easier for you to access.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

I just reached down and used a oil filter wrench on it, came righe off. If it's like mine it has a Cat 330 and the filter you are trying to get off is the only one on there. Make sure you have the 2 micron filter with the clear plastic bottom. Most shops replace the filter with the wrong one.

It depends on the manufacturer date of your 2004 Meridian. My 2004 Meridian was made in Feb 2004, and it does have 2 filters. I think Freightliner went from one filter back to two filters around December 2003 or January 2004. The one back by the rear grill which is the primary fuel/water filter and one on the passenger side of the engine which is the secondary filter installed by Cat. If you have only the one filter then it should be 2 micron but if you have two filters then the rear one should be 10 or 30 micron, anyway that's what I keep reading. My 2004 still has a 2 micron rear filter since that's what came out on it even though it has two filters and should not have the 2 micron rear filter but should be 10/30 micron . I've been trying for several years to find out what part number should be a 10 micron but there's much confusion between Freightliner and Alliance what that number should be.

Wagonmaster2

[Florida Guy]

I find taking the grill off makes the filter change much easier. The few phillps screws on the bottom of the grill are easy to remove and makes the job much easier.

[pameridan04]

Hi wagonmaster:

My Tag says.. Incomplete Vechiche Manufactureed By Freightliner CCC 4/04

Under the Manufacatured by Winnebago Label top left hand courner ...5/04... both dates are after yours, so I presume two Filters?

Jim P.

[Chuck 1935]

pameridian04....Call Freightliner, give them the VIN # and they will tell you whats in there. It's that simple.

[RedT]

Wagonmaster2...my '04 Meridian (manuf 9/03) came with one fuel filter/water separator. I use the 2 micron filter. Here are the numbers applicable to my installation:
CAT Fuel Filter 198-6378
(Fleetguard FF5319)
(Alliance 32FRT03)
32FRT01 is a 30 micron filter
32FRT03 is a 02 micron filter
Racor P/N S3203 is 2 a micron
Wix 33788 is a 2 micron filter
Water Seperator Bowl
Alliance P/N RA1RK30051


RedT in Glendale, AZ
'04 Meridian
'03 Jeep Liberty

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by pameridan04

Hi wagonmaster:

My Tag says.. Incomplete Vechiche Manufactureed By Freightliner CCC 4/04

Under the Manufacatured by Winnebago Label top left hand courner ...5/04... both dates are after yours, so I presume two Filters?

Jim P.

I would bet you do have two filters. The secondary filter will be a Cat filter installed by Cat right on the passenger side of your engine. I've found the only way to reach it is to raise the bed and remove the large metal engine cover exposing the engine. Even then its not all that easy to reach.

Wagonmaster2

[cbeierl]

Here's an earlier thread about relocating the secondary filter from the top of the engine to the rear near the primary filter: Relocated Fuel Filter & Added Priming Pump It contains some pictures that illustrate where the secondary filter would be found on the engine.

[Chuck 1935]

SEE POST #15 it will save you a lot of speculation.
Mine was built in Dec 03 and finished in Jan 04 and has 1 filter. They apparently built them all different from what I see here.

[pameridan04]

Hi Chuck:

Will do that...Thanks..