Because I did not know what oil was in my truck (bought 27 DEC 06) or how long it had been since the fuel filter had been serviced, I ordered new Fleetguard stuff from www.scheiddiesel.com (good prices, fast shipping).

Anyway - got the Fleetguard stratapore oil filter LF16035 and a Fleetguard 7-micron filter p/n FS19800E.

When I pulled out old fuel filter - much to my relief, it was a Fleetguard Stratapore (no part number on the filter). It was black with gunk.

My concern is the old Fleetguard filter I took out, had metal ends, about 1/4" thick, fit snugly in the cap. The FS19800E had flat plastic ends and obviously, b/c they were flat, had some slack once snapped into the top cap. Side by side, the two filters were EXACTLY the same height so I popped it on and went with it - but the one I took out looked like it was much better constructed on the end caps. Interally, the old filter looked a lot more constricted, there was a big metal sleeve with long, elongated narro w openings. The FS19800E had more of a metal grid, more wide open, probably better flowing.

I'm not going to lose sleep over the difference, I just think the flat plastic end cap of the FS19800E is pretty cheap compared to the one I took out. I hope it filters as well as everyone says on here. I plan on swapping it out every 5000 miles with the oil (I put in the Valvoline Premium Blue). It was too easy to do.

BTW - while at the autocraft shop, a guy had his Cummins out and was overhauling seals. Had a '96 12V, over 220k with Rotella - the crank and connecting rods were in great shape and there was virtually no sludge, minute amount in the corners of the block. He changed his oil every 3500 miles.

 

That's the new 7 micron filter. It is very cheaply made compared to the one it replaced. This new filter has only been out now for maybe 6-8 months now. It is a direct replacement for the old 10 micron filter. Sounds like your filter was never replaced prior!!

 

My fuel filters are always black,I change with every oil changeat 7000. The new filter ends are melted into the plastic endcaps instead of glued to metal like the old ones,supposedly more reliable but only time will tell.
Rooster

 

I had read somewhere in a thread on a message board about this a couple of months ago. The person who posted about the new style filter had contacted Cummins/Fleetguard about this and their response was that the new one was in fact better.

 

Was the OEM filter a stratapore as well? I would have thought it would have been a MOPAR badged item but the one I took out clearly said Fleetguard Stratapore.

I have to believe it was changed at some point but how often, don't know. I like the peace of mind knowing when it was changed and what was used.