Sticker Shock

[cfeiring]

Ok

 

I went to the local GMC dealer, due to the fact that my Chevy dealer got closed.

 

They wanted $150.00 to replace and install a new fuel filter in my truck as it time for that to be done as PM and not a problem solution. I am a firm believer in PM, and do not mind paying somebody to do the work as I don't have the time/equip/place.

 

WOW. Glad, I asked for estimate before getting the work done.

 

Well I used to have it done at the Chevy dealer that was across the street and it would cost me $60.00 incl parts.

 

I used to get the fuel filter, tranny filter, oil change pm and it would cost me approx $130.00 out the door.

 

I do not have the tools and or the place to work on my own truck.

 

So guess I'm gonna get me some tools and a jack and find me a parking lot.

 

I know that buying the tools and parts first time will cost more than what the dealer is charging over time I gonna come out ahead.

 

What is a good quality jack (4 ton hydraulic), that I can get easily as I'm not a mechanic, so no access to the tool guys in the mobile trucks. I do not mind paying for something that will last more than 1 use junk.

 

Filters I can get on line I know.

 

Is one of the fuel filter doors worth the cost and do you have to take the wheel off to do the work?

 

Where do you find a oil catch bucket to hold all the damn oil, not afraid to do my own work, used to do it all years ago but have gotten older and harder to all that crawling around.

[pm26]

You cannot get a good quality 4 ton jack for under $ 1,000 because nearly all are made in China. A Chinese made jack will cost you about $ 100. Try Sears for one.

 

A decent drain pan can be bought at Auto Zone or Advance Auto parts for a few bucks.

[shocktrp]

You don't need a 4-ton jack - you're only lifting one corner of the car - get yourself a 2.25 ton unit. Even if you get a cheap made in China jack - you can always return it if it breaks (usually with no questions asked).

 

You can get oil drain pans almost anywhere (Wal-Mart, Harbor Freight, etc).

[Wingnut]

It's probably expensive because it's in the fuel tank and isn't really a serviceable item any more.

 

...Unless they've gone back to the inline ones and I missed the memo.

[jro909]

if your feeling cheap just use gallon milk jugs with a funnel for the drain pan, if your feeling really cheap build ramps out of angle cut landscape timbers.....or if your feeling really cheap and un-earth friendly skip the pan and let it drain down the sewer

 

 

p.s if you use the ramp idea, make sure you crib the shit out of the truck unless you want to risk being smashed like one of galager's watermelons

[warrens2500hd]

if its a duramax the fuel filter is over by the passanger side battery no you dont have to take the wheel off just take the inner liner out of the fender simple tools plires screwdrivers stuff like that to pop the little black rivets out of it use a filter wrench spin it off then take the water separator off to install it on the new one it jsut unscrews from the bottom of the filter then put it all back together its simple once you do it once you wont forget how just remember you have to bleed off the filter and prime it.

[Wingnut]

lol...I totally skipped the part where he's talking oil-burner and not a gasser.

 

My bad.

[MarkD]

Wix/Napa Gold 3960 Fuel Filter -$30

Allison Spin-on Trans filter - $8

Castrol TranSynd TES-295 Transmission fluid 1/2 gt -$5 (Need to buy 1 Gallon $40)

Purolator Pure-One Oil Filter - $10

Rotella T T6 CJ-4 Synthetic Oil - $20/Gallon (Need to buy 3 gallons, use 2.5) $60

Large Oil Filter wrench Napa/Advance- $13

Shop Towels/Gojo - $4

 

Total $130

 

BTW, I went to Lowes and bought a Mortar pan to use as an oil catch. It is 2'x3', will hold about 10 gallons, and you don't have to worry about getting anything on the driveway/pavement. I have some old Diesel 5 gallon fuel cans I occasionally use to take the waste to the recycle center.

 

The fuel filter should take about 15-20 min to change.

 

Remove wheel well liner

Unhook weatherpac connector to WIF sensor in bottom of fuel filter

Remove fuel Filter

Clean O-ring surface with slovent (wd-40 etc.)

Remove WIF sensor from old filter

Install WIF sensor on new filter (with included new 0-ring)

Fill filter with fuel (optional)

Reinstall Fuel filter with new (included) O-ring

Hand tighten, then 1/8th turn

Reconnect weatherpac connector to WIF sensor (optional the things are worthless anyway)

Loosen black plastic screw on top of fuel filter mount with LARGE flat blade screwdriver

Pump filler button on top of fuel filter mount until you get fuel, not air from around loosened black plastic screw

Tighten screw and pump primer button a few more times until you feel resistance

Reinstall wheel well liner

Reset Fuel Filter life in DIC

 

Mark

[Shaners]

I need to change the spin-on tranny filter on my truck. Where's the best place to get one? I heard the dealer is pricey.

[MarkD]

I order them from online.

[Silverado4x4]

When I use to change my fuel filter on my 04 D-Max it only took me about 20 minutes to do but when you open the bleeder valve its plastic and can break very easy if you over tighten it, my dealer wasnt much more then online about 1-2 bucks more for the fuel filter and tranny filter.

 

You dont need a jack.