Cartridge Filter Bad for ALT Fuel? - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

Shrapnel · 08-03-2011, 20:14

I'm new to the diesel world with my recently acquired M1010 ambulance. I'm interested in running WMO or WVO. My fuel system is currently stock with the cartridge filter system. I've had the truck for just over two months and drive it about 100 miles a week so far. If I got good at sourcing cheaper fuel I'd drive it even more.

Do I need to make any changes to the fuel system before I go playing around with alternative fuels? It seems that plugging filters is common when experimenting and I just want to know if getting real familiar with my stock cartridge setup will be enough or if I will need to "upgrade" to a spin-on filter setup. Any advice or recommended reading is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

'48Chevy6 · 08-03-2011, 21:51

Carry spares and know how to change them. And then forget about it. Process and filter your fuel before you put it in the tank.

Hammer · 08-04-2011, 15:13

I recommend the spin-on filter swap.
Besides being able to get a much bigger/better filter, you can get one that has the water separator with a drain.
I ran a tube off the drain on my 1009, so I can easily catch whatever drains out.
Catching what drains out into a clear plastic soda bottle lets you see what the filter is stopping (and drain off extra water/crud.)
And a big thing, if you start getting sluggish, many times you can just do a quick drain to get the extra crud out of the filter, and still drive home and change the filter out later.

Shrapnel · 08-04-2011, 19:07

My truck is also equipped with the extra cold weather fuel heater system (look at picture). I don't know if it is currently working or not, but would it be easy to keep if I go the spin-on route? I currently live in SC, but I'll be moving in a year and don't know where I'll end up. Cold weather performance could be an issue depending on where I move to.

cbvet · 08-04-2011, 20:07

Ditto what Hammer said.
I have never tried WVO but burn a lot of WMO with no problems.