Fuel Filter Issues

Fuel Filter Issues

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ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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Hi all,

I thought I would 'just' change my fuel filter this weekend to tackle some rough running issues but am having a bit of a nightmare...

I've got the new Crossland filter on (after a bit of drama getting the old one off) and have used the shiny new copper washers that came with it. I've done it up as tight as I possibly can, but after getting the system up to pressure, there is a very slight seepage of fuel coming out of both sides of each union. It is only very slight, i.e. enough to slowly change the colour union and make the line shiny, but that close to the exhaust, any is too much!!

Update for all those tacking this job in future: The fuel filter is on the back left hand side so to get access you will need to remove the back LHS wheel. To remove the filter you will need a 17mm socket to loosen the union on the right (as you look at it) and a 19mm socket to remove the one on the left. The system will likely still be under pressure, but not dangerously so, so loosen the unions slowly and put a cloth around it to stop it spurting fuel at you. Once you have a union completely undone you can bung up the holes using the rubber caps that come with the new filter. The system is no longer pressurised so it wont empty the contents of your fuel tank, but be prepared to lose whatever is in the fuel filter (probably half a litre).
Once you have the unions disconnected, loosen off the clamp that holds the filter and slide it out. Slide new one in but don't over tighten it yet. Clean unions and fit some new dowty washers (12mm small side, 14mm larger side) and tighten up unions and bracket. Once you are happy that everything is back together and before you fit the wheel, re-pressurise the system by turning the key on and off a few times; you should be able to hear the tone of the pump change when it is fully up to operating pressure. Check for leaks. If all is fuel tight, fit the wheel and pat yourself on the back!

Edited by ukflyboy on Friday 12th August 21:39

ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
I'll double my chances and get some new washers, find someone with blowtorch/gas hob and anneal them and try again later in the week. There can't be many cars that require you to have a blowtorch to fit a fuel filter!

ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Well I'm all set for this weekend with Dowty washers, Stat-O-Seals (which everyone seems to suggest are better) and traditional copper washers (new and old) in various sizes. If that won't stop it, nothing will!

Edited by ukflyboy on Tuesday 9th August 22:53

ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Thursday 11th August 2016
quotequote all
They do look very good as they combine a fuel resistant rubber seal with a crushable washer but unfortunately as they are predominantly american, I haven't been able to find any in 14 mm. Think my first port of call will be the nitrile Dowty washers, if they arrive by tomorrow!

ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Thursday 11th August 2016
quotequote all
Yeah, it is definitely seeping out around the copper washers, I can see the colour of the union slowly change colour once up to full pressure. With your success rate, hopefully a quick fix :-)

ukflyboy

Original Poster:

246 posts

117 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all, dowty washers did the trick nicely and no sign of any leak. Unfortunately it hasn't solved my rough running issue, so time to clean the AFMs!

I've updated the original post with some detail about changing the fuel filter as the Bible was a bit scant on detail.