verylongdrive
Veteran Member
In the past (i.e. for ALH engines), it was often recommended to prime a new fuel filter with Diesel Purge to clean the injector easily. Then it was pointed out that the quick fuel return and dilution would mean this was not much better than putting it in the tank, so just use Power Service (or fuel if you feel like going to some trouble to save a buck).
Now, regarding CR engines, I've read:
-the fuel filter clean/dirty sides have switched, so you'd have to be very careful to only put the fuel on the correct side to prime it
-Diesel Purge etc. may be too harsh for CR engines
I've always primed my ALH fuel filters with PS for ease of use, and I run our '12 NMS TDI with white PS.
Is Diesel Purge really not a good idea for these CR engines?
What about running (momentarily) on pure PS? Can the engine handle it, and can the PS handle the pressure/temperature?
Furthermore, regarding the which-side-of-the-filter issue, am I correct in assuming that with PS from the bottle, I am indeed successfully sidestepping filtration, and I can just pour it into the filter housing and let the filter soak it up as it sinks in?
Bonus fuel gelling story: After several years of never a gel problem in Maine and Massachusetts, we're in North Alabama, where it does go far enough below freezing on enough days every winter that you'd think the fuel would be winterized.
One evening, I fill it up, add the white PS miles later at home, and forget to run it any to get PS back into the filter...
The next morning, after a not insanely cold night, no start. I remembered what I did the night before, but was a bit surprised that it could have gelled that badly. However, now reading what PS people say about water in the fuel, it may well just have been icing.
I remembered the horror stories of hours in a warm garage, or tows to a shop, but I just warmed the injector lines with a hairdryer for a minute or two, and it started easily enough.
Now, regarding CR engines, I've read:
-the fuel filter clean/dirty sides have switched, so you'd have to be very careful to only put the fuel on the correct side to prime it
-Diesel Purge etc. may be too harsh for CR engines
I've always primed my ALH fuel filters with PS for ease of use, and I run our '12 NMS TDI with white PS.
Is Diesel Purge really not a good idea for these CR engines?
What about running (momentarily) on pure PS? Can the engine handle it, and can the PS handle the pressure/temperature?
Furthermore, regarding the which-side-of-the-filter issue, am I correct in assuming that with PS from the bottle, I am indeed successfully sidestepping filtration, and I can just pour it into the filter housing and let the filter soak it up as it sinks in?
Bonus fuel gelling story: After several years of never a gel problem in Maine and Massachusetts, we're in North Alabama, where it does go far enough below freezing on enough days every winter that you'd think the fuel would be winterized.
One evening, I fill it up, add the white PS miles later at home, and forget to run it any to get PS back into the filter...
The next morning, after a not insanely cold night, no start. I remembered what I did the night before, but was a bit surprised that it could have gelled that badly. However, now reading what PS people say about water in the fuel, it may well just have been icing.
I remembered the horror stories of hours in a warm garage, or tows to a shop, but I just warmed the injector lines with a hairdryer for a minute or two, and it started easily enough.
Last edited:
