Swapped a massive diesel fuel filter on a truck last weekend and learned a hard lesson

I was changing out a fuel filter on a 2013 Freightliner Cascadia for a guy I know. I used the cheap spin-on filters from the auto parts store instead of the OEM ones from Detroit. After 3 days of driving, the truck started losing power on hills near Denver. Turned out the cheap filter was collapsing inside and starving the engine. Bought the proper filter and it ran smooth again. Has anyone else seen failures with aftermarket fuel filters on these newer trucks?

3 comments

3 Comments

willow_ellis21d ago

Yeah but with the cheap ones do you think the issue is just the paper media or is it the sealing rings too? Ive seen a few of the aftermarket ones where the gasket feels like its made of plastic almost. They might seal at first but after a few heat cycles they start to leak air. That would cause the same power loss issue on a hill. The OEM ones from Detroit just have better quality control all around. Its annoying that they cost twice as much but you pay for not getting stranded I guess.

pat_park21d ago

So is the gasket made of actual plastic or does it just feel that way before it melts into a puddle? I had a buddy try one of those ultra cheap filters on his old Cummins and that plastic gasket turned into goo after one trip up the Grapevine. @willow_ellis you're right about OEM being the safer bet but man it stings paying that premium when youre just trying to keep an old truck running.

maxmurphy21d ago

Heard from a mechanic friend that some of those cheap gaskets are actually made from recycled plastic pellets, so they just soften up and deform under heat instead of holding their shape. Totally get the sting of paying OEM prices though, I dropped $40 on a filter for my old Ford last week and felt it in my wallet. At least you know it won't turn into goo halfway up a grade and leave you stuck on the shoulder.