changing fuel filter on 3208NA

[bubblerboy64]

I'm going for it. I have decided to change my own engine oil (on the bus) and while I am at it I may as well do the fuel filter. Question. Am I going to have issues starting the engine if I open the fuel line when I change out the spin on fuel filter? I have had that experience with diesel engines and thought I better check before I start. The glass water separator looks completely clear to me, any reason to change that? It was done last year and I have 10,000 miles on the filters and the separator.

John Heckman
1973 FC

[Randy Dupree]

when changing the filters,be it the oil filter or the fuel filter,fill them before you install them.
use clean diesel on the fuel filter,or ATF.
on the oil filter,just use whatever oil your using in your engine.

when i change my fuel fiter,i run the engine for a minute or two,then take the old filter off,fill the new filter and re-install.
start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
makwe sure you have filled the oil up before starting!
you will be fine,everyone needs to be able to change a fuel filter.

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

when changing the filters,be it the oil filter or the fuel filter,fill them before you install them.
use clean diesel on the fuel filter,or ATF.
on the oil filter,just use whatever oil your using in your engine.

when i change my fuel fiter,i run the engine for a minute or two,then take the old filter off,fill the new filter and re-install.
start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
makwe sure you have filled the oil up before starting!
you will be fine,everyone needs to be able to change a fuel filter.

John,

Along with Randy's tip be sure to read and save for future use this PDF file found at Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > FC (Forward Control Unique Issues) > Caterpillar 3208 Related Files > CAT 3208 FILTER LIST AND HOW TO CHANGE THEM.pdf

One of our members mentions in that file that he left one of the petcocks on the glass filter partially open and it caused the engine to stall on a busy road, it was caused by air getting into the fuel lines. I had a somewhat similar experience but luckily I was still at home when it happened, what I did to resolve the air in the lines issue was to crack open all of fuel injector line journals at the injectors and then after cranking the engine for some time, fuel started to flow out the opened journals, then I closed them one at a time while still cranking the engine and this then allowed the engine to start and successfully removed the air. It allows fuel to collect in the valley under the manifold, but placing paper towels there before you start will help make the cleanup easier, if this happens to you.

It was after this that Randy and I installed the Carter pusher electric pump near the Baldwin Water separator filter (Similar to a RACOR) and now all I do after replacing the fresh fuel filled new filters, is use the prime start button for the electric fuel pump, while leaving the petcock by the front of the injector pump open until a flow onto the ground is noticed, this can be accomplished using the ignition switch also, where my fuel shutoff solenoid is operated off of a separate switch. I also relocated the spin on fuel filter next to the Baldwin after seeing this done by Mike Hohnstein on his FC and changing fuel filters is a lot cleaner and easier job to do. This is all also covered on my web site.

There is also a lot of other helpful information in the Caterpillar 3208 Related Files section of the forum on Filters in general for the Cat 3208.

[bubblerboy64]

Thanks Randy and John, I will read up on this subject and I apologize because after I posted my question I did discover that this was pretty well covered already at other locations on the forum.

I plan on taking this on this weekend as well as changing the shocks. May as well get good and dirty just once.

I am getting a lot done but it seems like the list of "to do" is always growing. At some point does a guy get some kind of degree in BLUEBIRD. Seems like there should be one. Perhaps if we think on this we can come up with something. I am certain at least a couple of you guys have the equivalent of a PhD. Lets see a DBB sounds good to me. Doctor in BB. We could have BBB (bachelor in BB) and MBB plus DBB.

[Randy Dupree]

ok,heres the disclaimer!
birds are heavy,if it falls on you your wife will be selling all your stuff cheap.
be very careful working under a bird,it can fall off the leveling jacks,block it up good with big wood blocks.
be careful,we lost a good friend and forum member just a short while ago when his coach fell on him.

[bubblerboy64]

Oh, trust me. I will not be lifting the BB. You have to have one of those degrees I spoke of to be allowed to do that. I will chock the wheels. Since I have the advantage of owning a springer I don't have to lift it to change the shocks. I can't think of any other advantage but that is one.


I try to be careful, but I do recognize the potential. I am more worried when I am on top then underneath and for the most part I try to stay way from both locations. So I do most certainly appreciate the heads up on anything which can be risky. There are two types of accidents. One is when something happens because the person took a risk. The other is when a person doesn't recognise there is a risk. Problem is some times the lessons are hard learned so in my case (and hopefully the rest of you) reminders never hurt. I've been very fortunate and haven't ever been bitten but I will admit that some of it has been good luck. I've ridden motorcycles, run chain saws, and been married for 37 years so I know when to listen. I'll be careful... John

[Randy Dupree]

a springer?
also,if you have an FC,you have to remove the rear tires to change the shocks.

[Rob Robinson]

Originally Posted by bubblerboy64

Thanks Randy and John, I will read up on this subject and I apologize because after I posted my question I did discover that this was pretty well covered already at other locations on the forum.

I plan on taking this on this weekend as well as changing the shocks. May as well get good and dirty just once.

I am getting a lot done but it seems like the list of "to do" is always growing. At some point does a guy get some kind of degree in BLUEBIRD. Seems like there should be one. Perhaps if we think on this we can come up with something. I am certain at least a couple of you guys have the equivalent of a PhD. Lets see a DBB sounds good to me. Doctor in BB. We could have BBB (bachelor in BB) and MBB plus DBB.

PhD stands for Post Hole Digger. WOG awards degrees of excellence much like Marshall Arts belts

White Belt...........Wannnbe
Yellow Belt..........You've heard of a Sporlan Valve
Blue Belt.............You can open and close a Zip Dee chair without finger damage
Red Belt..............You can recognize a Sporlan Valve
Beige Belt............You've ordered Dupree Dump Valves
Green Belt...........You've located at least one Sporlan Valve
Brown Belt...........Ya you guessed it--installed Dupree Valves
Teal Belt..............You can spell Sporlin

There are many more levels of expertise John but if I keep this up our resident Pit Bull will swoop in here and banish this reply to some obscure forum nobody's heard of.

[Randy Dupree]

didya notice that teal was the top and highest award?
teal is Robs favorite color!

[bubblerboy64]

Randy, You don't on my bus. I've already had one of the back ones off to get numbers and such and all that was necessary was to take the 1 and 1/8 inch nuts off the top and bottom mounting points and pull the shocks toward the center of the bus. Haven't attempted the front ones but they look to be the same. John