Fuel filter - looks simple?

[jimbob_steele]

Hi folks

I've read the threads showing how to do a fuel filter change. And I've been trying to get the old one off!! I think it has been there for some time, as it is faded and mucky, and remarkably tight.

I've got a 3.0 TD, 3rd Gen. The air filter is directly in front of the fuel filter, blocking easy access.

1. What is the best way to get the filter off? Do I leave it in-situ, or should I unbolt it from the mounting?

2. Do I need to remove the air filter before trying anything with the fuel filter?

3. I've got one of those three-pronged gripping tools for the oil filter. I'm assuming that if I can get near it, that will do the job for the fuel filter too?

4. The water sensor on the bottom is attached to a plug fixed onto the wing. It's fixed by a kind of expanded plastic lug. I guess I'll have to pull it off the wing before I can unscrew the fuel filter - otherwise I'll not be able to turn it.

Thanks for the help - Jimbob

[marky]

I've got a 3.0 TD, 3rd Gen. The air filter is directly in front of the fuel filter, blocking easy access.

1. What is the best way to get the filter off? Do I leave it in-situ, or should I unbolt it from the mounting?

A they are very tight some people have removed the whole assembly & put it in a vice to seperate it
2. Do I need to remove the air filter before trying anything with the fuel filter?

A it shouldnt really matter but if you need more room remove it
3. I've got one of those three-pronged gripping tools for the oil filter. I'm assuming that if I can get near it, that will do the job for the fuel filter too?

A there is an inspection cover on the innerwing remove the bolts to get access to the oil filter
4. The water sensor on the bottom is attached to a plug fixed onto the wing. It's fixed by a kind of expanded plastic lug. I guess I'll have to pull it off the wing before I can unscrew the fuel filter - otherwise I'll not be able to turn it.

[whippet]

Hi folks

I've read the threads showing how to do a fuel filter change. And I've been trying to get the old one off!! I think it has been there for some time, as it is faded and mucky, and remarkably tight.

I've got a 3.0 TD, 3rd Gen. The air filter is directly in front of the fuel filter, blocking easy access.

1. What is the best way to get the filter off? Do I leave it in-situ, or should I unbolt it from the mounting?

2. Do I need to remove the air filter before trying anything with the fuel filter?

3. I've got one of those three-pronged gripping tools for the oil filter. I'm assuming that if I can get near it, that will do the job for the fuel filter too?

4. The water sensor on the bottom is attached to a plug fixed onto the wing. It's fixed by a kind of expanded plastic lug. I guess I'll have to pull it off the wing before I can unscrew the fuel filter - otherwise I'll not be able to turn it.

Thanks for the help - Jimbob

Jim,

I've recently done mine (albeit on a 2nd gen 3.0)...

1. It was very tight also... I was to to undo it in-situ, with an oil filter removal tool - the kind that consists of a webbing loop attached to a kind of nut... the loop slips over the filter... you turn the nut with a socket on an extension bar... it tightens the strap around the filter and (eventually) uncrews it.

4. You can free the plug from under the wheel arch... just squeeze the bit that protrudes through (actually you need somebody else to squeeze it, unless you've got very long arms) and it can be pulled free from the wing.

Hope this helps,
Alan

[Rob]

Hi folks

I've read the threads showing how to do a fuel filter change. And I've been trying to get the old one off!! I think it has been there for some time, as it is faded and mucky, and remarkably tight.

I've got a 3.0 TD, 3rd Gen. The air filter is directly in front of the fuel filter, blocking easy access.

1. What is the best way to get the filter off? Do I leave it in-situ, or should I unbolt it from the mounting?
Unbolt it from the mounting - there is less room here than a 2nd gen.

2. Do I need to remove the air filter before trying anything with the fuel filter?
No

3. I've got one of those three-pronged gripping tools for the oil filter. I'm assuming that if I can get near it, that will do the job for the fuel filter too?
Don't know, I used a chain type tool

4. The water sensor on the bottom is attached to a plug fixed onto the wing. It's fixed by a kind of expanded plastic lug. I guess I'll have to pull it off the wing before I can unscrew the fuel filter - otherwise I'll not be able to turn it.
Here's wot i did:
Disconnect wiring.
Disconnect the two fuel lines.
Unbolt filter assembly from mounting bracket (2 bolts).
Put the top of the filter assembly in a vice.
Use filter removal tool to unscrew the filter.
Remove water sensor/drain tap from the bottom of the old filter - I used a pipe wrench to carefully loosen it. Install it on the new filter.
When fitting the new filter, wet the rubber seal with clean diesel and hand tighten it only. This makes it a bit easier to remove next time.
Refitting is the reverse of removal, as they say.

Thanks for the help - Jimbob

[Morr]

I found on the 3rd Gen if you unbolt it, there is enough flex in the lines to lift it out, turn it and place it upside down on its original mounts giving plenty of access for strap or chain tool etc, without having to remove completly from vehicle or disconnect lines. Some spillage will of course occur so have rags etc ready.

[da SLUG man]

i just took the air box out with 3 screws and that gave easy access to the fuel filter...

only thing to watch is the sensor on the botom is plastic and brittle...

the oil filter comes off in your hand... unless your a pansy!... then use a oil filter tool... there's an oil catch tray under it which is piped and comes out by the sump bung hole in the bash plate so stick a bowl under there to catch the excess.

[jimbob_steele]

Done it!!

Hi folks

Just completed the job... I took off the fuel hoses, and emptied the filter by holding upside down, and then using the pump on top.

Then, I used the trick of putting the filter assembly back on the mounts, upside down. Then the filter removal tool did the job just fine.

Pumped the filter assembly, then cranked the engine, and we are back in business.

The diesel that drained from the filter did have quite a lot of muck in it. So I guess it was about time for the change. I'm quite pleased with myself!

Thanks for the help.