Symptoms of dirty fuel filter in PD?

How does one know that it is time to change the fuel filter in a PD?

What are the symptoms of a clogged filter?


My old pre-powerstroke F250 would just slow down (have a lower top speed), what happens when a PD has a clogged fuel filter?

Thanks!

Well, you could get stranded if it stalls out; that's one way to tell the filter is chock-full.

Or you could get the low-power feeling at high RPMs indicating not enough fuel being supplied.

Or it may not start at all if you have any amount of water in there that happens to freeze during wintertime (but then again you're in SoCal )

It is, however, MUUUUCH easier to just replace the thing every 20K miles like that good book (er, owner's manual) suggests. Think of it this way: every other oil change.

Thought about the CAT 2-micron fuel filter upgrade at all? That would not only increase the interval from 20K miles to safely well over 50K, but would also filter much better than the VW filter. Cheaper to replace as well. Head on over to http://lubricationspecialist.com/front/shop.aspx?catid=8&parentid=0 and check it out.

I brand new filter can clog just as easily as one with 20k on it. One bad batch of fuel is all it takes.... Had it happen on a filter with only a couple thousand on it. Wouldn't rev above 3k ish.

In my case when I was hammering on the accelerator to get onto the freeway, it ran rough as hell, shaking, took a while longer to get up to speed. I drove on it for a while while a new mann filter came in from tdiparts and gradually it ran rougher and rougher at lower RPMs under acceleration. But it was obvious when I removed the filter, it was clogged with black sludge, it was difficult to tell there was a filter. I think I got some bad fuel like gforce said and I no longer go to the station I suspect had the bad fuel, and have had no issues over the past 18k miles, it runs great. (IIRC I emptied that tank and was half into another tank before the filter got changed, so most of the bad fuel got cleared out).

I put a new fuel filter on my PD at every oil change (10K miles). It's pretty cheap insurance although as described above one bad load of fuel can kill a new filter as well as an old one.

me too, every service not a real expense and fill with fuel treatment too, better than tempting injector trouble

I did the cat filter upgrade some years ago. Replacement filters cost me $14 and I do it every 20K.
After my third tank of 5% biodiesel, jetta started running "rough" and jerking when on the interstate. Replaced fuel filter and not more problems.

I know this is an old thread but this is one reason why I love this website and all you guys, I am currently having the same problem with mine and I know I need to get a new filter, I'm over due really. But this time, along with fuel treatment, I am also doing Diesel Purge with LM to clean up my 77K mile injectors, might be able to free up a couple horses when I do that. Kudos on you guys and kudos to TDIClub.com

Having issues atm with mine.

Shuddering when coming onto boost and lack of power, and wont rev much past 3k.#

Seems like the same as above and hoping a fuel filter change will solve it

A Ripley's Believe it Or Not............ my brother did not change out the OEM fuel filter on his 2001 TDI until a little over 171,000 miles......... no issues! That was about two years ago........207,000 miles now. So, that second filter has about 38k on it!

He lives northeast of Atlanta......maybe just good fuel there!

CraigLovelock said:

Having issues atm with mine.

Shuddering when coming onto boost and lack of power, and wont rev much past 3k.#

Seems like the same as above and hoping a fuel filter change will solve it

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That is a good first move.

I would also check that the lift pump is working (assuming you are still talking about a PD engine.)

DanG144 said:

That is a good first move.
I would also check that the lift pump is working (assuming you are still talking about a PD engine.)

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Lift pump? Will mention when it get it fitted ha

I only had the fuel filter plug ONCE in 25 years on our 240D. This was after 3 tankfuls of B5 had cleaned the tank and put enough sludge on the filter to stop it. It just slowed down and wouldn't go.

I had a spare filter that I always carried (switching it every time for a new one), but it was raining; so, I called MB to tow it to the dealership.

bumblebeetdi said:

I know this is an old thread but this is one reason why I love this website and all you guys, I am currently having the same problem with mine and I know I need to get a new filter, I'm over due really. But this time, along with fuel treatment, I am also doing Diesel Purge with LM to clean up my 77K mile injectors, might be able to free up a couple horses when I do that. Kudos on you guys and kudos to TDIClub.com

Click to expand...

What type of fuel treatment do you recommend?