Fuel filter question

[LPTC]

Hey all, just recently changed my fuel filter. Turned the ignition on about 10 times to refill the fuel I drained from the filter housing. Went to start it and clicked but didn't turn at all. Tried a few more times and nothing.

I opened the fuel filter housing and there was not much fuel in there but some had definetely filled up.

I have a 5.9 cummins with an Allison automatic.

Anyone have any advice on how to fill the fuel filter housing back up?

[2kool4skool]

Bump the starter, leaving the key on until the pump stops. Do it several times. Turn key to off, then start engine.

[Robin97396]

Yeah, these ignitions only let you hit the starter one time. Then you've got to turn the key completely off to reset the ignition before attempting to start the bus again. Not like a car. So many safetys, such a PITA.

[opus]

Huh? You did fill the fuel filter before you put it on, right?

[tincaneasybakeoven]

if its a mechanical 12 v there is a plunger on the lift pump middle of the block under the fuel filter. i use a broom handle to depress the plunger when i change the dodge filter you really should fuel your filter before installing if at all possible.

[LPTC]

I should fill it with fuel manually ? I thought I could turn the switch a few times to fill, didn't know I should do it manually

[Booyah45828]

Depends on what model 5.9 cummins you have. There are different versions of the 5.9. Everything said so far has been for different engines. If it's an isb, you key on the engine, bump the starter, and the electric lift pump should run for a minute or so to prime the fuel system. Keying on will only run the lift pump for a few seconds so you'll have to do that a dozen times in order to get anything worthwhile.

If it's an old mechanical 12v, there should be a hand pump on the side of the block in order to prime the system.

I don't pre-fill filters. It usually makes a mess and most of the time is unnecessary. If you do find that pre-fill is necessary, make sure you plug the center hole and fill from the outer ones. Otherwise you're dumping unfiltered fluid into it bypassing the filter.

[LPTC]

yea I can hear the lift pump coming on so I'm pretty sure it's filled with fuel.

Still just the click, it's not even trying to turn. Is there a possibility its not related to the changing of the fuel filter.

It's strange because it was starting fine before I changed the fuel filter.

Wouldn't I hear the starter trying to turn even if it wasn't primed?

[Booyah45828]

Yes it's very possible.

First thing I would check is to be sure that you're in neutral.

After that, I'd use a test light to see if you're getting power to the switch terminal on the starter when you are trying to start it.

[Jolly Roger]

If you didn't pre-fill the filter and your electronic lift pump is weak it is IMO because of low voltage from your batteries? Your batteries should reed 11.5 at minimum to do anything and 12.5 to 14 to do be perfect all the time.
Hook a battery charger to your batteries. charge your batteries and then prime your pump?
I have gone out of my way to keep my house electrical seperate from my bus starting electrical? I bought brand new bus batteries last year and I still have the same problem. Everything is good for 3-4 weeks but on week 5-6 even my new batteries are week? So I have a parasitic drain somewhere (bad ground) that allows the battery power a way out of the battery? But with out a converter/inverter connected to anything bus wise I know it is my bus and not anything I have added.
Your batteries might be fine and just need some charging? Mine was made to run everyday not 1-week a year.
It might be a pain and messy but in my opinion every filter needs to be filled to a point before installed unless we are talking about air filters? You don't want to put oil in those ?

[Robin97396]

Wooooooops!

[tincaneasybakeoven]

Originally Posted by LPTC

yea I can hear the lift pump coming on so I'm pretty sure it's filled with fuel.

Still just the click, it's not even trying to turn. Is there a possibility its not related to the changing of the fuel filter.

It's strange because it was starting fine before I changed the fuel filter.

Wouldn't I hear the starter trying to turn even if it wasn't primed?

yes those 2 systems should not be interconnected. check your battery water when you check your battery's and clean the connections. a bad ground will not cause a parasitic loss but will cause all sorts of other crazy ****. electron flow goes out of the negative thru the body/frame and back thru the component to positive terminal on battery(after you enable the switch that is).

[tincaneasybakeoven]

Originally Posted by LPTC

Hey all, just recently changed my fuel filter. Turned the ignition on about 10 times to refill the fuel I drained from the filter housing. Went to start it and clicked but didn't turn at all. Tried a few more times and nothing.

I opened the fuel filter housing and there was not much fuel in there but some had definetely filled up.

I have a 5.9 cummins with an Allison automatic.

Anyone have any advice on how to fill the fuel filter housing back up?

any chance your door interlocks could be causing a no start condition?

[LPTC]

Thanks guys, it was electrical. The negative wire came of on the emergency exit alarm

[Arvik]

hmmm, air in line might make it sputter like you said in other post?

[KrissyLeigh]

Hi we have the same bus and engine, where is the fuel filter located? Thanks!!!

[family wagon]

5.9 Cummins usually has a fuel filter housing on the left side of the engine near the back. In other words, the intake side of the engine near the transmission end. The housing is roughly a cylinder 6 inches diameter and 7 inches high. It'll have two fuel lines connected to the top of the housing with banjo bolts. The top of the housing is mounted to the engine while the bottom is removable after the nut in the center of the housing lid is removed.

[2kool4skool]

If yours looks like this...The filter element is inside the canister unscrew the lid.


There should be another filter under the bus. it's also a water separator. Follow the fuel lines.