Fuel filter

zziplex

http://www.aepdirect.com/?option=shop&page=shop.product_details&product_id=1473&category_id=1401

The last time I replaced one of these filters it took me a while to start the van back up again. I used the hand pump to manually pump some fuel to get it flowing and eventually started the van and all was fine. What did I do wrong that took me so long to start it?

Anyway the van is due a new fuel filter(van a tad smokey) now and I would like to know where I went wrong last time. Any basic tips or rules I should follow would be great. Or is it really a job for a mechanic?

Thank you in advance

Darragh29

zziplex wrote: »

http://www.aepdirect.com/?option=shop&page=shop.product_details&product_id=1473&category_id=1401

The last time I replaced one of these filters it took me a while to start the van back up again. I used the hand pump to manually pump some fuel to get it flowing and eventually started the van and all was fine. What did I do wrong that took me so long to start it?

Anyway the van is due a new fuel filter(van a tad smokey) now and I would like to know where I went wrong last time. Any basic tips or rules I should follow would be great. Or is it really a job for a mechanic?

Thank you in advance

It's not unusual OP for diesels to take a few minutes to bleed the air out of. What make/model is it??? You were on the right track though using the hand primer pump to purge the air out of the system.

A fuel filter will not resolve excess smoke issues however, this is likely an injector issue showing an early stage spray density/uniformity problem.

zziplex

Injector issue? That sounds expensive!?? Its a 1.4 tdci fiesta van. 2006 reg

Thank you for reply.

Darragh29

zziplex wrote: »

Injector issue? That sounds expensive!?? Its a 1.4 tdci fiesta van. 2006 reg

Thank you for reply.

As far as I can recall on that engine you have a plastic in-line hand purge device near the fuel filter that you squeeze to purge the air out of the fuel line and filter. Injectors are expensive enough, maybe try a diesel fuel treatment to see if it makes any positive difference before getting into any expense...

Smoke can also be due to excess oil consumption, piston oil seal issues, turbo seal issues, valve stem seal issues, etc...

zziplex

Now that you say it there is a little lad the right hand side of filter that may be what your talking about.

So do you think i should bother changing the fuel filter? It has not been changed in some time I taught it may help???

Thanks again.

Darragh29

zziplex wrote: »

Now that you say it there is a little lad the right hand side of filter that may be what your talking about.

So do you think i should bother changing the fuel filter? It has not been changed in some time I taught it may help???

Thanks again.

Regular "on schedule" fuel filter replacement on diesel engines are absolutely critical if you are to avoid expensive pump and/or injector issues.

What you are looking for is what is in the pic attached...

zziplex

Ok thanks alot. I think ill do the fuel filter myself and a oil/oil filter change also only an hours work.

Row

Hi zziplex,
Usally after a filter change on these you need to pump the hand priming bulb until it feels hard...:eek:.......no bad thought lads.....:)

With the smoke...is it black/blue/grey...??
What milage is on the van...??
As well as injectors mentioned above it may also be egr valve related.
Ron.

zziplex

hi

50,000 mls....when i say smoke its very little smoke nothing major at all its not blue or black more of a gray/white kinda...

Thanks.

Row

zziplex wrote: »

hi

50,000 mls....when i say smoke its very little smoke nothing major at all its not blue or black more of a gray/white kinda...

Thanks.

In this cold weather most engines will be letting out white/greyish smoke...:)
Sounds normal...:)

zziplex

Its more so starting from cold that it smokes a bit. The fuel filter needs doing anyway thats €42 so ill do that(hope all goes well) then drain oil pop in new oil filter and that will do until I get a few €€€€€ to have my mechanic give it a look over next time.

Cheers.

johndaman66

Not sure if its being mentioned OP but running diesel through the filter before fitting may also help you somewhat. I know because I changed a fuel filter lately on my car which was a petrol and a friend who knows a thing or two about cars told me to do so. Not sure if this is a requirement in a diesel but I'd imagine it would be perhaps also

zziplex

Silly question maybe but how would i do that before fitting?

I will manually pump fuel after I fit it then give the key a few turns to let the fuel pan out to normal then start van and all should be ok?

Muckie

zziplex wrote: »

Silly question maybe but how would i do that before fitting?

I will manually pump fuel after I fit it then give the key a few turns to let the fuel pan out to normal then start van and all should be ok?

Thats it, you'll have her running then no problem.

demag

It can help if you can fill the new filter with diesel before you refit it, this will probably only work if you have an easy access vertical filter.

zziplex

demag wrote: »

It can help if you can fill the new filter with diesel before you refit it, this will probably only work if you have an easy access vertical filter.

There is a pic of the filter in link above for refrence. Too hard to pour diesel in ill just manually pump it.

Row

zziplex wrote: »

There is a pic of the filter in link above for refrence. Too hard to pour diesel in ill just manually pump it.

Ye these filters are sealed with just a small inlet/outlet..:rolleyes:
You could connect the inlet connection from tank which is via priming bulb and prime it till diesel runs out of the outlet...connect it up,give it a few more
primes till it gets hard...:eek:...and you should be fine...:)
Ron.

zziplex

Row wrote: »

Ye these filters are sealed with just a small inlet/outlet..:rolleyes:
You could connect the inlet connection from tank which is via priming bulb and prime it till diesel runs out of the outlet...connect it up,give it a few more
primes till it gets hard...:eek:...and you should be fine...:)
Ron.

Hard and wet :eek: sounds good

thks.

johndaman66

zziplex wrote: »

Silly question maybe but how would i do that before fitting?

I will manually pump fuel after I fit it then give the key a few turns to let the fuel pan out to normal then start van and all should be ok?

If you per any chance had some diesel in a carry tank or could get a drop and an old jug lying around in the shed sort thing just pour the diesel through the filter before popping it on. Mightn't make a hell of a difference but then again might make your job a wee bit easier. Just be careful nobody used the jug for pouring milk or the like after also:D