Caterpillar Water Separator - The Full Story

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

The filter it comes with is ok without power loss. I'd suggest you change your factor filter at the same time so both filters are brand new and in known condition. You can change to the 30 micron filter when the filter change is due.

I've used the 5 micron filter that comes with the unit for 40 000km without any issues. The only reason I've after the 30 micron unit is for peace of mind that I'm not placing any additional stress on the injector pump.

From what I've read, the the injector pump contains 2 pumps, a lift pump to suck from the tank and a high pressure pump to presurise the common rail.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

No worries, thanks guys
I was changing both fuel filters with genuine ones every 20,000kms i will be able the stretch that out with the CAT filter fitted. I might run the 30 micron element i reckon don't want to stress anything too much.

[Leigh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Leigh]

Hi all. This thread has been a great source of discussion and has prompted me to ask a few questions of people in the diesel industry. The first was about the micron rating of the pre-filter. The recommendation was most decisive in that I should use nothing less than 30 micron on my D4D. The second piece of advice related to the type of set-up I was proposing and that is basically a CAT 150 microm water sedimeter pre-filter with bowl and alarm. The diesel bloke whose company just rebuilds injector pumps and injectors gave it the big tick, ie it will not have any material effect on the flow of diesel to the pump. I have really benefited from my research in constructing a unit that meets my needs and it's all been started by this post. What I now understand is that there are a number of very over priced units out there and others that are cheaper and questionable in terms of their inherent design weakness and ability to flow. For me its about getting the water out of the equation first and perhaps capturing some crap before it hits the OME filter without restriction in the supply of fuel to the pump. For those looking to use the CAT filter assembly, as referenced earlier in this thread, please be aware that it is of a low micron rating and it was this discovery that set me in search of a higher micron filter and head unit that would suit my needs. Got there in the end but took some extensive work in the parts catalogue!! For my part I am very obliged for all the value this thread has provided. Thanks to you all. Cheers Leigh

[camspot Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close camspot]

It is very unlikely that Toyota have only produced a filter hat is only 50% efficient when it is a 3 micron filter.
At 50% efficiency that means one of the two tanks of fuel in the vehicle is going through the fuel pump and injectors unfiltered. The fuel system would not last a week in those conditions. I have seen common rail fuel systems fail several times by laziness or ack of education. Don't prefill filters and don't run pumps dry. The are running at 15-20000psi. They don't take much to fail. Just a it of metal on metal or dust getting in.

I haven't had a yellow injection so there are actually many other brands on he market that produce a water separator. Most use metric fitting that will retrofit straight onto Toyota. Donaldson and fleetguard are two good brands as parts will be available in many remote towns especially in WA.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

Has anyone else fitted a 30 micron CAT filter to the housing that comes with the 5 micron filter? I just did......will not fit! lugs on top of filter in wrong spot.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

can you post a photo?

They filter housings should be the same. They're a Stanedyne pattern filter.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

can you post a photo?

They filter housings should be the same. They're a Stanedyne pattern filter.

I had a look on here and it appears i might have the wrong filter. Part numbers on this thread for the 30 micron filter are not the same as i have. The filter looks the same but the little locating lugs on top of the filter won't match up with housing.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

I ended up with a cat housing part no 138-3097 (not 144-9962 that comes with the 5 micron filter). The housing is looks exactly the same except the locating lugs in the housing where the filter mounts are different. I quoted filter no 100-6374 (30 micron) but was told this has been superceded by 138-3100 but earlier on in this thread that filter come up as a 150 micron!. I'm confused!.

[ScoticusMaximus Member Find all posts View Profile Close ScoticusMaximus]

hi all, just read through all of the info provided, has anyone used one of the cav filters at all? for example the ones you can buy for diesel at BCF:
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/p...d=115278#Cross

just wondering if - as others have done, i would have to use a 30 micron rather than the 5-7 micron filter it comes with?

[Dueler120 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dueler120]

Donaldson/ CAT can pretty much match any filter you are chasing. As always buy in bulk and save.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

The BCF job may not have the flow rating required. I've read Delphi info stating not to use certain products on CRD engines. The 296 series is definatley in this boat.

[ScoticusMaximus Member Find all posts View Profile Close ScoticusMaximus]

The BCF job may not have the flow rating required. I've read Delphi info stating not to use certain products on CRD engines. The 296 series is definatley in this boat.

no worries, thanks gxl_d4d, i think ill just follow suite like everyone else, the little $$ saving in the short time might turn out to be more drama and $$ in the long term.

Cheers,
Scott.

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

After adding an auxiliary battery (ARB supplied & fitted) to the passenger side fire wall/inner guard, the space where everyone says they have mounted their separator now for me seems to have disappeared! Has anyone out there installed either the CAT or Fuel Manager separator to their vehicle with the auxiliary battery sitting up against the passenger side fire wall/inner guard? Where did you mount the separator? Not much room there, but I'm very keen to install one especially with a Cape York trip coming up later this year

[Gipsy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gipsy]

Hey Folks! Has anyone tried the 'Water watch' system? Just wondering if it is the safer option since it can detect and notify smallest amounts of water before it does the damage. Check out their page at http://www.waterindiesel.com.au/8186...er_Watch_FAQs/

Maybe the 'waterwatch' should include a 30 micron filte as an added protection. Any comments?

Gipsy

[Kitbags Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kitbags]

I looked through these posts on fuel filters and can not find the beta standard quoted to measure the filters efficiency.. There are references to microns but without stating the beta standard used microns alone have no meaning. eg. 8 microns at 75 beta, 8 microns at 2 beta 8 microns at 200 beta. All 8 microns but could a truck drive through one yet another may be so fine it will remove the additives in engine oil? A good explanation of beta standards is on the Donaldson website. There are many others on the net.