I've been replacing the Cat fuel filter about every 60k-70k miles, maybe a little longer sometimes. I think I've been too cautious, because I've never seen any reason why I couldn't have gone longer.
Back when we were first trying out the Cat filters, no one knew what interval was best, even though they'd been testing the filter heads for several years. (I upgraded during the warranty period, and I got only positive feedback from the dealer techs.)
Using data from the Caterpillar website, we calculated that the 2-micron filter should be replaced about every 100k miles. So why replace more often? I just get tired of waiting.
What about the other filter, the one Spoolin has? Just guessing, I'd say it could have a shorter replacement interval, if it really capturing a significant amount of particles in the range of 1 to 2 microns. So maybe 80k miles before replacement, unless it's convenient to do it earlier, like maybe every one or two years. Some people say before winter, others say afterward; I don't think it matters so long as you do it someday.
Resurrecting this thread because I had an interesting finding regarding the CAT fuel filter replacement interval. I used Tornado's post above just to provide context.
I've been running the Nicktane adapter using regular CAT 2 micron filters for about 100K miles now with good results. Two nights ago, after getting fuel, I started to have some serious symptoms of fuel starvation -- surging under full throttle and the sensation of hitting the rev limiter at about 3000 RPM. At first I thought it was a bad batch of fuel but read on.
I also run a pre-filter (clear, in-line) that I had never changed so today, I promptly replaced it thinking that it had to be what's causing the flow constriction. But...when I went out for a drive afterward, the problem remained.
So next up, I replaced the CAT filter hoping for some reason that it would indeed be the culprit. I doubted it in that the last CAT filter went 60K without any issues and I only replaced it because it never had been in 5 years. So, the filter I was replacing today had about 46K miles on it -- far fewer than the previous filter interval and fewer miles than would be expected when looking at other applications of this filter.
Well, after replacing it, the problem was GONE....completely, and in fact, the car runs like it just got its Malone tune upgraded -- runs like a banshee!
Don't know what to make of this. This filter had only 46K on it. Clearly it was clogging up. New filter opened up the fuel flow like crazy.
Anyway, I'll probably go to a 40K replacement schedule now. Not ideal but these filters aren't very expensive. I really appreciate the new-found power and acceleration. Alternatively, I could just wait and replace when noticeable restriction occurs. But I think performance degrades subtly in that I really didn't notice a lack of power until the surging started. But once replaced, it was clear that I regained a bunch of power I hadn't clearly noticed had been lost. All is well, life is good.
Anyway, hope this helps the collective brain trust...
