dirtiest filter ever and black flecks in fuel in filter housing? pics

[nickpower]

hi, i just removed the fuel filter, it's covered in black slime. the fuel in the housing has black flecks floating around. i sucked the housing mostly clean. any ideas where this crap is coming from. also,

is there a inline filter before this filter?

do i need to fill the housing up with fuel or just turn the key for a few seconds before starting?

the new filter i bought from Napa is a lot smaller than the one i removed, is it still the correct one?

[Hank]

Holy crap! When did you change it last?

[nickpower]

i just bought the truck about 3 weeks ago and i'm working my way through the basic maintenance. it's my first diesel so lots of things are new to me. could the goo and floating specs be from a rotting or de-solving rubber lines?

[shawnking350]

there are two fuel filters. one on top of the engine, the other one is on the frame rail (under the drivers seat).

[JDoldnumber07]

It is more likely from a bacteria present in your fuel tank than de-laminating/rotting fuel lines etc.

Any presence of water in the fuel system is a breeding ground for this bacteria unless treated.

I change my fuel filters out every other oil change, as well as treat my fuel tank every other fill up. Some may say this is way overboard, but in the long run much less expensive than replacing fuel injectors.

I've attached a link to a basic explanation of the bacteria i am referring to.

Diesel Fuel Bacteria Problems

[Spanky88]

Originally Posted by shawnking350

there are two fuel filters. one on top of the engine, the other one is on the frame rail (under the drivers seat).

??? never heard of this second filter before.....

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by Spanky88

??? never heard of this second filter before.....

Is where the water seperator is on a 6.0, dont forget to drain it either, there is an allen head plug dead center on the bottom that will drain all of the crap out. If your filter looks like that the pre-pumps life I'm sure is numbered. Just had the same thing go wring with mine, looked like it was full of raspberry jam....

[Spanky88]

i dont remember ever seein the 2nd filter on my truck....but ivenever looked for it

[ajpu1983]

This is a 7.3l It only has 1 filter. Are you losing oil? Could be injector O-rings allowing oil into the fuel system. That's a pretty common problem.

[Gruss]

injector O-rings