CAT Fuel Filters for 410DA

HUMPH

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2009
7,618
SF BAY AREA
Boat Info
2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
Engines
CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
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After a recent trip I noticed a sheen on the water and diesel fuel smell outside of my boat. Of course I was wondering which idiot’s boat was leaking but I open ended the hatch to inspect anyway. I flipped on the bilge lights and saw 3 to 4 gallons of fuel in my bilge! (I was the idiot?). I cleaned up the fuel and went after finding the source and found a drip off of the engine mounted fuel filter but still checked every hose and tube. Now, based on advice from Frank Webster I have always used Caterpillar filters and wouldn’t have expected to find something like this but my filter had separated at the top. This was virtually undetectable without removing the filter. These pictures show where the separation was. I was curious to see if anyone else here on CSR has had this issue.
 
Is it possible that you or someone bumped into the filter at some point after it was mounted to the engine?

Where did the diesel fuel leak from?


**EDIT**
Thought I was looking at an oil filter. That's why I was asking about the fuel leak.
 
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Ken,

There was one other CSR member that had a filter top separate last year. This appears to be a rare occurrence and I've never had it happen nor have I ever seen it happen on any of the boats near me in Florida.

Maybe you got a Friday filter..........
 
Is it possible that you or someone bumped into the filter at some point after it was mounted to the engine?

Where did the diesel fuel leak from?
Of course there is a chance the filter was bumped when changing impellers or something but doubtful. I do my own service and try to be mindful of all critical items around me.
 
Ken,

There was one other CSR member that had a filter top separate last year. This appears to be a rare occurrence and I've never had it happen nor have I ever seen it happen on any of the boats near me in Florida.

Maybe you got a Friday filter..........
Definitely a Friday Filter! I can’t imagine if this was a gasoline filter! Once again this shows the importance of spares and bilge inspection!
 
Ken,

Just a few months after I sold my 410DA a couple years ago the new owner called me with the same issue you reported. He said it sprayed all over the engine room, and left an incredible mess to clean up. He called to ask if I'd ever heard of such a thing with a CAT filter, and at the time I hadn't.

-Tom
 
Wow. That’s not good OR reassuring. How long had it been on the engine? In the bottom picture you posted there appears to be some damage visible in the indented ring near the filter top, right below the separation. Was that by chance part of the cause of the failure?
 
Not great news to hear about an expensive CAT filter.
Sounds like something they’re customer service would want to know about.
I wonder who makes them for CAT, or if they’ve changed vendors in the last few years.
I’ve been curious about how the WIX would compare to CAT.
 
Hey Ken - are not these filters negative pressure; on the suction side of the governor?
Tom
 
It sure seems like the press fit where it blew out would be susceptible to failure. I looked at a couple of filters in my garage and noticed they had a crimp connecting the housing to the top piece. Seems like a much safer design philosophy.
 
I just looked at 2 spares I have at the house. They have more of a small round over at the edge where yours separated. Yours appear to have been rolled over at a square 90 deg angle, creating a stress riser and ultimately a failure point. I would bet those would be considered defective.


Dave

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Were the defective filters purchased from Cat? It certainly would not be difficult for our friends in China to build knockoffs.
 
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Were the defective filters purchased from Cat? It certainly would not be difficult for our friends in China to build a knockoff.

Mine were purchased from Michigan CAT.
 
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View attachment 77416 View attachment 77415 After a recent trip I noticed a sheen on the water and diesel fuel smell outside of my boat. Of course I was wondering which idiot’s boat was leaking but I open ended the hatch to inspect anyway. I flipped on the bilge lights and saw 3 to 4 gallons of fuel in my bilge! (I was the idiot?). I cleaned up the fuel and went after finding the source and found a drip off of the engine mounted fuel filter but still checked every hose and tube. Now, based on advice from Frank Webster I have always used Caterpillar filters and wouldn’t have expected to find something like this but my filter had separated at the top. This was virtually undetectable without removing the filter. These pictures show where the separation was. I was curious to see if anyone else here on CSR has had this issue.
Thanks for the heads up
 
With all the Cat trucks and Cat dealers on the road, they must have found out about this. I guess they rather not come forward and pay for all these defective fuel filters. If these were gas fuel filters, I would think the manufacturer would not have a choice.

or

Could installers be cranking them on too tight crushing the top?
 
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It sure seems like the press fit where it blew out would be susceptible to failure. I looked at a couple of filters in my garage and noticed they had a crimp connecting the housing to the top piece. Seems like a much safer design philosophy.

I just looked at 2 spares I have at the house. They have more of a small round over at the edge where yours separated. Yours appear to have been rolled over at a square 90 deg angle, creating a stress riser and ultimately a failure point. I would bet those would be considered defective.

Say Guys..........excuse me for poking a little fun at you, but what good does it do to store your extra filters "at the house" or "in the garage"? Won't you need them on the boat when you finally do need them?
 
Say Guys..........excuse me for poking a little fun at you, but what good does it do to store your extra filters "at the house" or "in the garage"? Won't you need them on the boat when you finally do need them?
Good point...have extras on the boat. Cat had a sale last year I think I bought 3 sets. I used 1 put 1 one the boat and the last 1 was at the house. I’m never far enough I’m too concerned.
 

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