Filter Elements for the VM2: The RF900D has been discontinued. We are replacing with the Donaldson P551001. The price will remain the same as before. The Donaldson is rated as "nominal 3 micron / absolute 10 micron". Filter media micron rating is largely the word of the manufacturer. However, with this rating, the element is in the same range as the RF900D, is my opinion on the matter. It has the superior Synteq media, and where the RF900D was a "water-absorbing" media (swells and blocks if significant free water is encountered), the Synteq media is a combination of synthetic and coated cellulose media designed to be a water separator filter.
Donaldson claims very good effectiveness for both free and emulsified water, for diesel fuel. It is as good as it gets, IMO, for a vegetable oil filter media. (see link here: http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/support/datalibrary/034118.pdf). The reason for the change is better availability as well as better filter technology. We will stock in cases and sell as 3-packs or as cases of 12 and will be competitively priced, considering delivery is to your door. That is the element that will ship with the VM2 starting today.
As a water separator filter element, it has a "bottom" drain, which in the case of the VM2 will be at the "top". Any water it might remove will drop to the "bottom" of the VM2, the heated sedimentator / water separator first-stage of the VM2. The user should drain a little off this just as you would with any water separator filter, and technically this is to be done frequently (often, water separator type elements will say daily, or weekly). I know, it often is not done, but technically that is how they work. So, advise customers accordingly. Just drain off 50 ml once a week would be a good practice to recommend. This will remove and water and sediment, and keep that section of the filter clear and able to accept more of this material, and thus give longer filter element life. So even if a user sees no free water, it is likely that they will be removing larger particles each time, and keeping that mix from eventually being drawn up into the element itself as it would if the sedimentator section is allowed to become very contaminated.
The P551001 is taller than the RF900D. It will not likely fit under the hood of a Jetta, for example, but at a height of 7 3/4" it gives more media than the 5 1/4" RF900D, yet is a reasonable height for most applications, and the "Twist n Drain" valve on the element (at the top in our case) is low profile, lower than other elements of this family (eg Fleetguard FS1001, etc.). An advantage of using this type of element is that on the VM2, it will allow the user to do two things: a) by twisting it past the "stop", you can remove it entirely and then pour some new oil into the VM2 when installing a new element, thus having virtually no air in the system when you restart engine. b) you can open the valve of the element to allow air in when draining old element prior to filter element change, rather then the old RF900D method (inexact) of "loosening" the element for this purpose.
If you need a quick number for a shorter element for a Jetta for now, until (hopefully) we find a shorter Donaldson with a water separator/drain, here is one you can use: Fleetguard FF5332 (or anything that crosses to that). You can also use Wix 33109 or anything that crosses to that (eg NAPA 3109). Be aware that one is not a water separator filter, so make sure your oil is free of water, as you should technically do in all cases anyway (treat the water separator features as "extra" insurance, not your main safeguard).
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