Don't know when they started putting them in the tank, but if you followed your lines and didn't find it, that might be where it lives.

 

Had the same thought on my truck. Looked and looked then discovered there is no standard fuel filter on 2001 and newer trucks. Was on my 99 but not on my 2004. There is only a sock style filter on the pump. No other. I guess it works but I'd still feel better about it if there was a standard can style in line filter somewhere.

 

Jason,

I'm afraid it is conveniently located inside of the fuel tank. My 2004, 8.1 equipped 2500HD doesn't have an inline either. It's absurd if you ask me, but what do I know.

Jeff

 

I try not to put dirt, debris and water in my fuel tank.

 

you must put cheese cloth over the gas pump before filling. tell us your secrets.

 

Because your fuel is always 100% pure and perfect, golden like the sun, never at all could any contamination ever get in to your fuel system...must be a perk of the 2017 V6 WTs... :roll:

 

^^ WTH there is contaminants in every thing even air thus air filters. Ya I would think chevy would have put an inline filter in so you could have clean fuel like air also. Why have a filter on your furnace oh ya to protect your furnace parts i don`t know what your thinking, sometimes I don`t put dirt in my fuel nobody does but I can assure you it gets in!

 

So how often are people changing out this filter in the tank? My truck gets random misfires to the extend that twice in the last year its (1) thrown one P0300 code and then (2) made the converter unlock on the highway. So not something that's keeping me up at night, but is drawing enough of my attention to want to do a tune up consisting of plugs, wires, and the fuel filter...
I suppose I'll measure the fuel pressure but on all my other trucks, changing fuel filters was normal maintenance.

 

^^ WTH there is contaminants in every thing even air thus air filters. Ya I would think chevy would have put an inline filter in so you could have clean fuel like air also. Why have a filter on your furnace oh ya to protect your furnace parts i don`t know what your thinking, sometimes I don`t put dirt in my fuel nobody does but I can assure you it gets in!

That was sarcasm....

 

I think most are only ever changing the filter if they need to put a new pump in. When I realized that it was an in tank attached to the pump I just left it go. Never had mine apart but I do remember form my time working at Auto Zone. Some of the pumps that filter can not even be changed. Some claim that they are attached permanently to make sure the sock filter could not fall off in tank.

 

I guess since its been fine this long it must be either a really large filter with lots of surface area. Or the things that pass through they must have engineered the engine and fuel injection system in a manner in which it can handle that amount of contamination.
Whatever the case is, these trucks run forever. But keeping the check engine light off, that's another story.... :evil:

 

The changeover year is 2004..... not 2001. In 2004 GM went to a returnless style fuel system on the truck where your regulator and return line are in the tank and not off the fuel rail on the intake manifold. My 03 still had the return system and had an external filter in the supply line up to the fuel rail. As far as changing the filter..... well my old 05 is approaching 200000 miles on the original fuel pump and sock and in the tank so I really don't think it's a big deal myself.....

 

Unless I'm missing something, cant you just add an extra inline filter if you are worried about contaminants?

 

^^ this would probably be a good idea (never heard of it) but it would end up being more of a PITA than it`s worth but if it could be done it would be nice.

 

That works if it's a new truck or after you already changed the filter on the pump. If you have a high mileage truck simply putting an inline filter isn't going to do much.

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That works if it's a new truck or after you already changed the filter on the pump. If you have a high mileage truck simply putting an inline filter isn't going to do much.

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Not really..... putting in a new pump and doing an inline after is no different than just tossing in an inline whenever..... the factory inline filter has nothing to do with filtering the fuel entering the pump..... and if the pump is old you may catch contaminants the sock in the tank isn't stopping anymore if it gets damaged or what have you.

Personally i think it's all a waste of time but adding one won't hurt the truck. It might cause a pressure drop and since the return is in the tank along with the regulator you will lose pressure at the rail..... but I doubt it accounts for much. On the older rigs that had one the regulator is downstream of the filter so it would account for any loss the filter causes.

 

I'm saying if installing an inline on a high mileage truck without first cleaning the intake filter you're not going improve much since the pump screen is most likely dirty blocking some flow

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Had the same thought on my truck. Looked and looked then discovered there is no standard fuel filter on 2001 and newer trucks. Was on my 99 but not on my 2004. There is only a sock style filter on the pump. No other. I guess it works but I'd still feel better about it if there was a standard can style in line filter somewhere.

My 2002 Sierra has a fuel filter underneath the truck on driver side. I changed it out when the fuel pump went out.

 

I'm saying if installing an inline on a high mileage truck without first cleaning the intake filter you're not going improve much since the pump screen is most likely dirty blocking some flow

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Flow and contamination are totally different though.... if its blocked off any amount that matters you will cavitate and burn the pump out anyway. The downstream is purely protection for the injectors...... but again it's a waste of time lol.

 

True. Most motorcycles don't even have filters anymore. They are in the tanks now.

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Yup. I used to be all worried about not being able to swap anymore too but then I have had a few higher mileage one of these trucks with the original pump still and no issues.... so I stopped worrying about it haha.

 

cavitation is definitely the bigger culprit. That and heat. I try not to run my tank too low for too long. The gas keeps it cool.

 

I pretty sure they stopped existing beginning in 2004. If it exists (non-tank version) should be pretty visible on inside of frame rail on driver side.

I'll double check my '04 6.0 when I get home, but just looked into it last month.

 

2004 2500HD 6.0....Where is the fuel filter? As a preventative measure I want to change it but I cant find it.

I pretty sure they stopped existing beginning in 2004. If it exists (non-tank version) should be pretty visible on inside of frame rail on driver side.

I'll double check my '04 6.0 when I get home, but just looked into it last month.

It's 04.... 2003 and older are return style and 2004 and up are returnless..... lol.

 

I totally agree that it would be pointless unless you changed out the original fuel pump. I know I personally wouldn't do it but I suggested it more for the Op's peace of mind.