Fuel Filter Change - Where to apply the suction? - Page 2

KALaBenne · March 24th, 2009, 21:29

Thanks mogolf, If I had read my own post I would have seen it's 8mm, instead I answered without looking. Sorry

TomB · March 25th, 2009, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by KALaBenne

Thanks mogolf, If I had read my own post I would have seen it's 8mm, instead I answered without looking. Sorry

The memory just aint what it used to be.

I know that feeling all too well.

Sprocket · March 25th, 2009, 15:57

On the PD's you can just cycle the key to the "on" position once or twice with an empty fuel filter. No need to use a mighty vac or pella on our cars.

mparker326 · March 26th, 2009, 06:04

YMMV with the key cycling trick. When I did my latest FF change on the passat, I didn't prefill the filter and cycled the key 10 or so times. It fired right up and I drove it about a mile from my house. At a stop sign, the engine died. It wouldn't restart no matter how much cycling I did. I went home and got my Pela and was able to pull fuel through the filter and it still didn't start. I removed the "T" and noticed the filter wasn't nearly as full as when I replaced it. I filled it up with a funnel and it took a little bit of fuel to get it as full as I found it. After that, it started right up and 5000 miles later hasn't given me any trouble.

I don't think cycling the key pulled all the air out of the filter. It is easier just to prefill by installing the filter and using a small funnel and filling it through the "T".

Sprocket · March 26th, 2009, 06:06

That's weird. I've changed my fuel filter 3 times and it's worked each time.

T_D_I_POWER · March 26th, 2009, 14:42

2004PassatTDI,

I hope I get this on time, before you install the fuel filter in the engine compartment. It's a very good professional practice to fill the fuel filter with fresh Diesel fuel (or gasoline for gas engines). This is done simply, so when you start the engine you won't pump air but Diesel fuel to the injectors. Moving parts in the injectors are lubricated by Diesel fuel not air.

You can simply do this by placing the fuel filter on the bench vise as shown on pic.1.

Pic.1

Insert a funnel (not shown) in the fuel filter "T" hole, and fill filter with fresh Diesel fuel to the bottom of the neck as shown pic.2

Pic.2

If it's too late, do procedure 2 in the engine compartment.

1st in TDIClub

This also a good professional practice when you do oil & filter changes. By filling the oil filter housing & filter with fresh oil, when the engine starts, it will be pumping fresh oil to the hydraulic lifters not air.

I hope this will help,

Cheers,

KALaBenne · March 26th, 2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_D_I_POWER

2004PassatTDI,

I hope I get this on time, before you install the fuel filter in the engine compartment.

Uh, you realize the origional post was about 3 1/2 years ago. Maybe you knew that and I missed the scarcasm font you were using.

Anyway, also don't forget to remove the little plastic caps before you fill. (guess how I know)
+1 on filling the filter out of the engine compartment. (yes, same reason)

abctdi · March 26th, 2009, 17:47

Each key turn provides only an ounce or 2 before the lift pump shuts off, ask me how I know...

whitedog · March 26th, 2009, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by abctdi

Each key turn provides only an ounce or 2 before the lift pump shuts off, ask me how I know...

Then your pump is on the way out.

2004PassatTDI · March 26th, 2009, 20:00

I have found that the easiest way to prime the filter is to use the Pela once the fuel supply hose is connected. I tried the key thing the last FF change. Never again.

T_D_I_POWER · March 26th, 2009, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by KALaBenne

Uh, you realize the origional post was about 3 1/2 years ago. Maybe you knew that and I missed the scarcasm font you were using.

Anyway, also don't forget to remove the little plastic caps before you fill. (guess how I know)
+1 on filling the filter out of the engine compartment. (yes, same reason)

Thanks KALaBenne. I guess it helps to read.
Btw, from the bench vice I would put a cap that fits over the fuel filter "T" to keep any debris out, and I don't usually remove the caps until I'm ready to reinstall the hoses.

Cheers,

KALaBenne · March 26th, 2009, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_D_I_POWER

Thanks KALaBenne. I guess it helps to read.
Btw, from the bench vice I would put a cap that fits over the fuel filter "T" to keep any debris out, and I don't usually remove the caps until I'm ready to reinstall the hoses.

Cheers,

I had a little trouble filling the filter with the caps in place because the air couldn't get out, thankfully, it was not in the engine bay when it happened.

One of these days, I'm gonna get me some of them cool hose pliers that mogolf uses in the video.

abctdi · March 27th, 2009, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitedog

Then your pump is on the way out.

Thanks for asking how I know. It's controlled by the ECU somehow...my pump is fine. I had to use it to pump out the couple gallons of unleaded that someone put in the tank by mistake. It required jumping the fuse and worked great...this was a couple of years ago and was documented in this subforum.

whitedog · March 27th, 2009, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by abctdi

Thanks for asking how I know. It's controlled by the ECU somehow...my pump is fine. I had to use it to pump out the couple gallons of unleaded that someone put in the tank by mistake. It required jumping the fuse and worked great...this was a couple of years ago and was documented in this subforum.

According to testing by DanG, he found that with each cycle of the key, he would get 50-100 CC of fuel from the pump.

abctdi · March 27th, 2009, 09:14

I think this supports my statement...you don't get continous flow.
50cc=1.7oz
Thanks for proving my point!