We get asked about CAT filters so often, we’re tempted to paint our filters yellow…
All jokes aside, it’s true that CAT filters can be installed on our Fuel Systems, and are a popular option. But are CAT filters the best, most effective option for filtering fuel?
Before we go any further, let’s address something head-on:
Yes, we like selling FASS-brand Fuel Filters.
But it’s not simply about sales. The FASS R&D team spent countless hours designing the most effective, 3rd-party proven Fuel Filters on the market. As a result, we believe (and the data shows) that FASS Filters provide the purest possible fuel of any brand on the market.
Years ago, we would openly recommend CAT, Baldwin, Fleetguard, and a handful of other brands to our customers. Back then, other fuel filters were just as effective as ours—and we were happy to say that.
However, things have changed.
Filtration technology evolved.
With the introduction of our Extreme Water Separator (XWS), FASS Filtration took a giant leap into the 21st century. While brands like CAT still utilize a coalescing-style filter, our Extreme Water Separator features a Microglass element with a special water-absorbing layer that eliminates over 99% of the water from your diesel fuel.
This microglass element enables the XWS to trap water within the filter itself. Should you get an extremely contaminated tank of fuel, our XWS acts as a fail-safe—shutting your engine down before any water reaches the injection system.
Why is shutting my engine down a good thing?
Believe it or not, you want your truck to shut down when your tank is full of heavily contaminated fuel. If water-infused fuel reaches your injection system, thousands of dollars in damage can occur in mere seconds.
This is why we designed the XWS to act as a blockade if needed. Sure, being on the side of the road and getting towed to a shop is a hassle—but FAR less of a hassle than spending $5,000-$10,000 (or more) on new injection parts.
With our XWS in place, a bad batch of fuel simply means you’ll need to install fresh filters, and potentially drain the tank to eliminate any remaining contaminated fuel.
With older coalescing-style filters, water can pass through once the filter reaches capacity—sending water straight to your injection system. So, while CAT filters (or similar brands) might let your truck run for a few minutes longer on bad fuel than our XWS, it can come with a hefty price tag.
Don’t forget about fuel flow.
Beyond filtration, most fuel filters on the market simply weren’t designed for high-flow applications that a FASS System flows. Whether your truck is stock, or heavily modified the FASS System continuously flows fuel at the flow rate of the pump.
For instance, on a 165 GPH FASS System, whatever the engine isn’t consuming or returning to the tank the FASS flows 165 GPH regardless. We call this fuel polishing, without a filter rated for these flow rates you’re limiting the fuel purification ability.
Coalescing filters (of this size) simply cannot effectively remove water at these flow rates, risking pumping harmful contaminates into your injection system.
As you exceed the flow rate a filter was designed for, they become less and less efficient. Simply put—as fuel flow goes up, filtration gets worse.
At FASS, we’re pretty much all addicted to horsepower.
So when we designed the XWS, we made sure it could keep up with even the most extreme diesel engines. Rated at 25 gallons per minute (GPM), the XWS is seriously efficient—filtering out the most water possible at ANY horsepower level.
So, are CAT Filters bad?
CAT, among other brands, actually produces a pretty darn good fuel filter. They have earned their reputation as a solid option, and we won’t tell you otherwise.
But, are they the best? The data says otherwise.
And you don’t have to take our word on it. We published a 3rd party filter comparison from SGS Laboratories, and are proud to say the XWS finished exactly where we designed it to—number one.
In summary, FASS Filters are not, and will never be the only good option for filtering your fuel. However, if you want the purest fuel possible, the best protection for your injection system, and the most insurance against contamination, our XWS is at the top of the heap.
If you have questions about FASS Fuel Systems, FASS Filters, or anything else diesel fuel system related, give us a shout! We’re proudly based in Missouri and have a fully staffed support team ready to assist you from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (CST), Monday to Friday.