[Mr P's Duramax]

I am wondering how difficult it is to replace the fuel filter in my Colorado Diesel. Or do I need the dealership to do it.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

Check out page 55 of your duramax diesel supplemental manual it explains how to change the fuel filters. Then you'll know if it's something you have the skills to do, or not. Should be two screw on filters, I think.

Here, now you don't even have to dig in your glovebox.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1036753/Gmc-Duramax-Diesel-2016.html

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

ACDelco TP1007 Professional Fuel Filter Kit with Covers and Seals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6CO1TI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IY4bzbZF8CBB7

A Reviewer says it's super easy, fyi

 

[TERNARYTEACHER]

it is not difficult to do.
first thing you need to do is turn the truck off for 30 seconds, this will stop your fuel pump from pumping.
Next you need to unhook the negative battery cable to make sure it doesn't try to pump air through the lines (not needed but I wouldn't risk leaving it plugged in)
Then go under the truck (you may want a drain pan to catch the fuel from the filters) I believe its a 1 1/4" socket. remove both filters, once they are unscrewed, you will have to pull down with a little force to get past the seals.
replace with the new filters and tighten to roughly 15 ft/lbs\
reconnect the battery and turn the key to accessory mode. let the pump remove air from the lines for roughly 20 seconds.
crank the truck, check for leaks and you should be good to go.

just did the filter change on mine and didn't see any of these specifics in my manual, just how I did mine

 

[ronlenhall]

What kind of life is expected with the fuel filter ? The owners manual suggest ~37,000 miles, but the indicator suggest something that is much less.

I took my truck on a vacation from Wisconsin to Wyoming with ~16,000 miles and 35 % on the fuel filter monitor. Before I even reached South Dakota, my indicator was at 0%. I took my truck to a dealership in Sheridan, Wy for other reasons, but also had my oil changed and fuel filter replaced. It read 100 % when I left the dealership, but within 1000 miles it was back to 0% again. Am I suppose to change the fuel filter every 2 fill-ups ?

 

[Pergrem]

I would say possible bad sensor, or bad fuel. I've killed the fuel filter on the work truck (99 f450 7.3) twice with-in 300 miles due to bad fuel. Try switching fueling stations.

 

[Burgess159]

I agree with Pergrem. On my 2004 Silverado 2500HD Duramax, I replaced the fuel filter every other oil change, so 10,000-14,000 miles. I don't know where the location is on the Colorado/ Canyon, if it's easy to change, but on the 2004 it was very easy. They may have updated the fuel filters on these trucks to last longer, I dunno. I still have my stock one and the % life is around....50-60 I think. We have I believe 14,000 miles on the truck.

If it's easy, I might replace it around 20,000. The reason on the 2001 to 2005 6.6 Duramax engines (and it's good practice on any Duramax, or diesel, in general) that you changed them rather often was that the injectors on those trucks would clog up fairly easily, or go bad. Get crud in the tips/ jets and then they didn't operate correctly and made the truck run like....poop.....they are very small holes to squirt fuel through, so you wanted to make sure they stayed clean, and so changing fuel filters often helped that.

CAT made a fuel filter adapter, so you could get the big CAT filter and put it on those engines. It was a finer mesh, so you got more protection, and it had great flow through, and was dirt cheap, like $10-20 a filter I believe, vs. $40-50 for say a WIX or ACDELCO filter. I wish they made one for our engine, but I don't believe they do.

Anyways, you should probably change your fuel filters often in the trucks, if they're easy to replace and cheap enough to buy, to ensure long engine life. It should most definitely last you more than 1,000 miles, unless you got real nasty diesel fuel somewhere. Or just a bad sensor.

 

[ronlenhall]

I may have a more sinister reason why the indicator was down to 0 % so quickly. I changed the fuel filters and have monitored their life and so far it has not dropped below 99 % in 2 fuel fill-ups. Either I got a batch of bad diesel fuel, always a possibility, or the dealership did not change the original filters and just reset the monitor and charged me for it. I usually do not think like this, but what the truck was originally in there for was also not fixed and I went around with this dealership about that. I did not get a warm fuzzy that they cared about me or my truck. Hopefully I will have to wait a long time before it reaches 0 % again, but when it does, I will attempt just a reset and see how long it takes for the monitor to reach 0 %. My guess it will be similar to what I just experienced.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

I may have a more sinister reason why the indicator was down to 0 % so quickly. I changed the fuel filters and have monitored their life and so far it has not dropped below 99 % in 2 fuel fill-ups. Either I got a batch of bad diesel fuel, always a possibility, or the dealership did not change the original filters and just reset the monitor and charged me for it. I usually do not think like this, but what the truck was originally in there for was also not fixed and I went around with this dealership about that. I did not get a warm fuzzy that they cared about me or my truck. Hopefully I will have to wait a long time before it reaches 0 % again, but when it does, I will attempt just a reset and see how long it takes for the monitor to reach 0 %. My guess it will be similar to what I just experienced.

I hope the dealership didn't screw you. For what it's worth, I just crossed over 10,000 miles and my fuel filter is at 50%

Also, when I load in a tune and reflash/clear/reset the ECU, the fuel filter goes back to 100% and then it will drop over a few days or so back to the normal reading. I Don't know if it has a "sensor" to tell the flow/filter or what but I've noticed that.

 

[RollyPollieBenito]

I'm at 9000 miles and my fuel filter is at 83%. I will be doing the filter myself when it r ach 25%.

 

[TERNARYTEACHER]

just my $.02, the fuel system is one of the most expensive things to fix on the entire truck. if I spend $60 too much every year on fuel filters I don't need to replace, I would still be money ahead ($1,000's) as long as I kept my fuel system from failing

 

[Burgess159]

Just changed my fuel filters today at 22,336 miles. Meant to do it around 20,000 but I didn't have time. Did Air and oil today too. Fuel filter is very dirty. I mean, it could still be ok for another 10-20,000 but filters are cheap enough so I think every 20,000 miles is good.

Also on the air filter, why did they use screws to hold it on? Rather than use those quick clasp clips like my 2004 Silverado used. Much easier. And I can see the screws getting stripped out.

 

[turbotyler]

This may help you guys out. I picked up ACDelco TP1007, a 27mm (1 1/16") socket, and went to town. Easy job and only took me 15 minutes. Reset to 100% took 5 restarts, but this may not be the standard.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

This may help you guys out. I picked up ACDelco TP1007, a 27mm (1 1/16") socket, and went to town. Easy job and only took me 15 minutes. Reset to 100% took 5 restarts, but this may not be the standard.

Thanks

FYI 27mm is Also the same socket you’ll need to change your oil filter!

 

[Burgess159]

It took me longer to do mine. But I changed the oil at the same time, so I was messing with that and just letting this drip till it was done. Very easy though, I agree.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

Must have either gotten dirty fuel or my gauge just decided to “catch up” because I was at 55% or so yesterday morning and now it’s at 30%. Noticed that yesterday and ordered a set of fuel filters on amazon and they were delivered today (Sunday) so I have them on hand when mine need it

 

[Tagladfelter]

These were replaced at 17,500 miles. The one filter was on so tight the socket skipped then skipped again. So the nylon nut stripped. If this happens don’t panic. I used chisels and very carefully chiseled then broke it out with channel locks and a needle nose. The housing is aluminum so you have to be careful. Must have over tightened this one on the assembly line. I have no explanation for why the one was so tight. It haunts me to this day. Still only took me 40 min. Next time will only take minutes.

 

[KevinBlaisdell]

It is not too difficult. You can change it by yourself, by following the proper steps. Else you can also go to the service providers who will fix this.

 

[splitley]

I am wondering how difficult it is to replace the fuel filter in my Colorado Diesel. Or do I need the dealership to do it.

I've done it, simple, 1st thing the manual doesn't tell you is there's a little yellow plastic screw between the 2 filters, have a catch pan ready and unscrew it, that will drain the fuel from the 2 filters that way they'll be no mess when you take each one out, you'll end up with around 20 ozs. of fuel to dispose of (charcoal lighter)

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

I’m gonna change mine this weekend. I have a fuel strainer funnel and I’m gonna pour it right back into the tank.