DeWalt Fuel filter for 382cc wide-area walk-behind lawn mower engine

Why I swapped the fuel filter on my wide‑area mower

A wide-area walk‑behind mower lives a hard life—dust, clippings, and the occasional slosh of questionable gas from an old can. As part of my spring tune‑up on a 382cc DeWalt walk‑behind, I added one simple task that too many owners skip: replacing the in‑line fuel filter. I chose the DeWalt filter specifically built for this engine platform. It’s an original‑equipment part, not an aftermarket look‑alike, and that alone set expectations for a straightforward fit and predictable fuel flow.

Fit and compatibility

This DeWalt filter is an OE replacement that crosses to part numbers 951‑3013 and 751‑3013, the same spec noted in my mower’s manual. That’s important—filters aren’t universal. Hose barb size, flow rating, and internal media can vary, and a mismatch can cause either starved fuel delivery or a filter that won’t seal on the line. In my case, the filter slid onto the factory fuel hose without trimming or forcing, and the stock spring clamps landed right where they should. It’s sold as a single unit, weighs about 0.15 lb, and is factory tested, which shows up in the consistent dimensions and tidy molding at the seams.

If you’re running a DeWalt 382cc wide‑area walk‑behind, this is the filter the fuel system was designed around. If you’re on a different brand or engine size, check your model’s OE part number rather than trying to “make it work.”

Installation: a 10‑minute maintenance job

Swapping this filter was quick, clean, and uneventful—the way a maintenance task should be.

Here was my process:
- Ran the mower for a minute, then shut it down so the fuel was moving but the engine was cool to the touch.
- Clamped the fuel line upstream of the filter with a small hose pinch clamp to minimize spillage. If you don’t have a clamp, needle‑nose vise‑grips with a shop rag can work in a pinch, but be gentle.
- Used pliers to slide the two spring clamps off the old filter barbs.
- Noted the flow direction arrow on the new filter (a small but important detail) and matched that orientation in the line.
- Pushed the new filter fully onto the hose barbs, re‑positioned the clamps, removed the pinch clamp, and checked for weeping fuel.

Total time was under 10 minutes, including a quick wipe‑down. The hose barbs are sized correctly for the factory line, so there was no wrestling to seat the filter or worry about a loose slip fit. No extra hardware comes in the package (nor is any needed), and nothing about the install required more than basic hand tools.

Safety tip: work in a ventilated area, keep a catch rag beneath the line, and avoid open flames or sparks. It only takes a tablespoon of spilled gas to smell up a garage.

Performance and fuel flow

After the swap, I looked for two things: starting behavior and sustained power under load. The filter’s design emphasizes low flow restriction, which matters on a pull‑start, gravity‑feed system. My engine lit on the first pull and settled into a steady idle. That was expected; what mattered more was how it behaved in heavy grass.

On a long, slightly damp first cut of the season, the mower didn’t show the occasional sag I’d noticed late last year. Throttle response felt consistent, and there was no surging at partial throttle—classic signs that the carburetor is seeing a clean, uninterrupted supply of fuel. The filter is, of course, only part of that equation, but replacing a tired or contaminated filter is often the simplest way to restore steady fueling.

One subtle benefit of a fresh OE filter is carburetor protection. Small debris and varnish‑flake contamination are the main culprits behind sticky float needles and clogged jets. This filter’s media did its job: after several hours of cutting, I pulled the bowl to check for sediment out of curiosity and found it clean.

Build quality

This filter feels like the right balance between rugged and sensible. The housing and end caps are solidly bonded with no flashing or thin spots, and the hose barbs have a proper taper to hold clamps securely without cutting into the fuel line. DeWalt bills it as built for extended service life under typical mower conditions; based on my handling and the way it shrugged off a few scuffs during install, I don’t see any weakness that would make it age prematurely in a hot, dusty deck tunnel.

I can’t speak to the exact filtration micron rating because it isn’t specified, but in practice, it flows well enough for full‑load mowing while stopping the fines that cause carb trouble. That’s the balance you want.

Maintenance notes and best practices

• Replacement interval: I treat the filter as an annual item, or every 100 hours, whichever comes first. If you store fuel long‑term or run ethanol blends that sit, consider swapping sooner.
• Fuel quality: Fresh, stabilized gas makes the filter’s life easier. If you’ve had issues with water contamination, address storage before blaming filters.
• Orientation: Pay attention to the arrow. Reversing the flow can reduce effective surface area and create restriction.
• Hose condition: If your fuel line is brittle or cracking, replace it when you change the filter. A perfect filter can’t make up for an air‑leaking line.
• Spares: I keep one spare in a zip bag in the shed. It’s cheap insurance during peak mowing season.

Limitations and who it’s for

This is a purpose‑built filter for DeWalt’s 382cc wide‑area walk‑behind platform. It isn’t a universal solution, and I wouldn’t recommend forcing it onto a different machine. If your mower uses a pump‑fed system with different line size or flow demands, use the part specified by your manufacturer.

Also, it’s sold as a single filter. If you maintain multiple machines, you’ll need to buy multiples. There are no extras—no clamps, no accessories—in the bag. That’s fine for an OE service part, but worth noting if you were hoping to refresh a cracked clamp during the install.

Value and availability

On price, this filter sits in the “reasonable for OE” category. You can find cheaper generics, but with fuel delivery parts, penny‑pinching is a false economy. The correct fit and dependable flow are worth a few dollars more, especially on a machine you count on for acres of cutting. The 90‑day return window is standard and gives a bit of cushion if you order ahead of a tune‑up and don’t get to it right away.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Direct OE replacement for the 382cc wide‑area walk‑behind platform
- Low restriction with steady fueling under load
- Proper hose barb sizing; easy, leak‑free install
- Factory‑tested fit and performance
- Built to withstand typical mower heat and dust

Cons:
- Not universal; check your model and OE part numbers
- Sold as a single unit with no extra clamps
- Micron rating not specified, which some techs may want to know

Final thoughts and recommendation

A fuel filter isn’t exciting, but it’s one of the most consequential small parts on a walk‑behind mower. This DeWalt filter does exactly what it should: it fits the 382cc platform without drama, flows enough fuel for heavy cutting, and keeps debris out of the carb. Installation took minutes, and the operating behavior of the mower—easy starts, steady idle, no surging—backs up the low‑restriction claim.

I recommend this filter if you’re maintaining a DeWalt 382cc wide‑area walk‑behind and want an OE part that just works. It’s a simple, effective way to protect the fuel system and avoid carburetor headaches, and the cost and effort are minimal compared to the reliability you gain.