Donaldson Filter Change

[Jack_Toepfer]

To make as little a mess as possible...

What is the best way to change the Donaldson filter on my 00 F350 V3?

My light was flickering on the way into work today... eventually stayed on, but I'm coming up on that 400 mile mark on the first filter. I'd also like to check the screen filter that is in the V3. I know my installer, Dan, walked me though it, but it was kind of overwhelming at the time

Thanks in advance.

[Wilson]

put a oil change pan under it and unscrew it

I pulled my screen at around 300-400miles and there were a bunch of metal shavings on it. From the tank fab work.

Just whip out that large allen key that you got with the kit and unscrew it. Be careful screwing it back in as the screen is not capped on the inside and any bends could allow foreign objects by it...


DFA guys-
could you have made the screen "captured" with a alum cap/oring on the inside that would seat into the V3 block... a rod going through the center holds it all together, which can be unscrewed for service/cleaning.

I guess that depends how the oil flows through it? It appears to flow from outside to inside of screen, but then is that why no cap on the other side?

OK, Then what ensures a good seal on the screen?

[Jack_Toepfer]

I thought Dan told me if I didn't clamp off one of the hoses oil would continuously pour out until the new filter was in.

If its as simple as just swapping filters, thats easy.

I'm expecting metal shavings... and I definitely want them out ASAP. I might do it right in the parking lot here at work, over a piece of cardboard... as long as a lot of oil doesn't come out.

[Wilson]

Well, honestly I'm not the right guy to comment then since I have not taken mine off yet.

But for the record, I wouldn't go changing that filter so soon. If your oil is in good shape then 3000mi is nothing on these filters. More like double at least (per clay and photos of 3kmi filter posted here somewhere)

I have heard a clogged screen cause your issue though so try that first.

[greasyX]

Filter change

The oil will continue to run,sorta like a fast drip,this is continuous.I suggest at the least a cheap paint roller pan liner .99,that filter holds 1 quart,plus dribbling.That is something you don't want to rush,because that can easily cross thread,and you don't wan't your boss pissed about a gallon of oil on his pavement.I do my filter with engine cold,seems to drip slower(viscosity),if you don't that oil will be 160-170 F,as well as the filter heater will burn you(personally done it). With cold engine i hang filter wrap up on hoses,out of the way.Use a large filter wrench to break seal then twist off SLOWLY,wipe all residue off housing,a little WVO on that seal,twist back on until the little arrows indicate stop.Fire up truck,with pan still under,after purge and verify no leaks pull pan out.This may seem over-kill,but I've changed mine a dozen times and thats the easiest,and cleanest way..........grease out

[Jack_Toepfer]

Well, honestly I'm not the right guy to comment then since I have not taken mine off yet.

But for the record, I wouldn't go changing that filter so soon. If your oil is in good shape then 3000mi is nothing on these filters. More like double at least (per clay and photos of 3kmi filter posted here somewhere)

I have heard a clogged screen cause your issue though so try that first.

If you don't have 500 miles on it yet... you'll be changing one soon. My installer said that I wouldn't make it very far past 300miles before the filter clogged with manufacturing debris.

The oil will continue to run,sorta like a fast drip,this is continuous.I suggest at the least a cheap paint roller pan liner .99,that filter holds 1 quart,plus dribbling.That is something you don't want to rush,because that can easily cross thread,and you don't wan't your boss pissed about a gallon of oil on his pavement.I do my filter with engine cold,seems to drip slower(viscosity),if you don't that oil will be 160-170 F,as well as the filter heater will burn you(personally done it). With cold engine i hang filter wrap up on hoses,out of the way.Use a large filter wrench to break seal then twist off SLOWLY,wipe all residue off housing,a little WVO on that seal,twist back on until the little arrows indicate stop.Fire up truck,with pan still under,after purge and verify no leaks pull pan out.This may seem over-kill,but I've changed mine a dozen times and thats the easiest,and cleanest way..........grease out

See.... the engine will be cold when I get out there on lunch... so if I pinch off the VO Feed line I shouldn't have the drip right? Maybe I'll do it over a cardboard box... this way I can catch the quart out of the filter...

Or... I guess i could use my new catch pan at home so I can reuse that qt

[Elvia]

You definitely want to use a pan to catch the oil. No cardboard. Once you break the seal on the filter, it all starts pouring out. It takes a minute to get the filter off so, the oil keeps coming out of the filter. Once I had mine off, it only drips out about a 1/2 pint or so.
Regarding filter change, I had to change out my first one at 750 miles. Have over 2000 miles on this one so far. I haven't checked my screen yet, think I will check it today

[lancaster,pa]

To make as little a mess as possible...

What is the best way to change the Donaldson filter on my 00 F350 V3?

My light was flickering on the way into work today... eventually stayed on, but I'm coming up on that 400 mile mark on the first filter. I'd also like to check the screen filter that is in the V3. I know my installer, Dan, walked me though it, but it was kind of overwhelming at the time

Thanks in advance.

Jack,

Thanks for starting this thread. I didn't know that it was necessary to change the first filter that early. Didn't really think of the manufacturing debris. - Patrick

[Wilson]

If you don't have 500 miles on it yet... you'll be changing one soon. My installer said that I wouldn't make it very far past 300miles before the filter clogged with manufacturing debris.

If any of that junk gets past the prescreen, then you will be changing the FASS pump before the donaldson clogs!


BUt I rinsed the tank with about 5 gallons of kerosene. I'd say I got 90% of the junk just doing that.

[Marv]

I'm a bit surprised that everyone is having to change them so early. I've got almost 1600 miles on my first one and blockage doesn't seem to be an issue yet.

My light has went off and come back on a couple times, but I'm almost certain it was due to the tank being low on oil and taking a hard left hand turn. Once the truck leveled back out, the system regained pressure and came right back on and worked fine. Haven't seen any flickering yet.

[greasyX]

If you use a cardboard box,put a garbage bag in it(not just a liner).On the road i carry a case box soda,beer ,what have you,as well as previously mentioned paint tray liner.Then i put the bag in the liner.When I'm done I put box and bag in the nearest garbage,and i'm back on the road.P.spinching line helps on tank side,but you can't stop gravity from the engine side.,and do filter after prefilter to contain any metal shavings......grease out

[Clay]

your filter is not bad i would bet.
Clean that prescreen and you will be good to go. I have several thousand miles on my first filter after installing the V3. I usually get between 7k-9k miles on a filter.
But everyones fitering is different and some may get more, some less but 400 miles, i have heard of donaldsons going almost 1000 miles after pumping oil straight from a dumpster to the tank and burning it before clogging.

Dont' change filters anywhere that you don't want an Exxon Valdeze mess...there is alot of oil in that filter. No need to clamp off any lines, it will not run much out of the tank or heads. Use a drain pan and be fast about it and you won't loose much at all. Its just like changing an oil filter on your car.

[Jack_Toepfer]

I'll hit the prescreen first. If that appears to be the issue, I'll leave the Donaldson.

It just pains me to see that light off....

[anii23]

I like to put a rag between the v3 and the mounting plate when I change my oil. Any oil that runs down the bottom of the v3 is caught by the rag. It works well. I also like to have the new filter ready, so I can put it on quickly. Good luck.

[Jack_Toepfer]

That wasn't so painful.

Well, it kinda was. I pulled something in my wrist when I was trying to losen the filter. lol.

But... I pulled the prescreen and wiped it out with a paper rag... then I pulled the Donaldson... and replaced it. Wasn't worth driving to work tomorrow on diesel if the "D" turned out to be the problem.

Hopefully the light stays on tomorrow.