Clean a fuel filter

[spitzie]

Hi,
Does anybody if a canister type diesel fuel filter can be cleaned? It looks to be possible as there are 5 allen keys on top.
If it is possible, what is the best way to do this?
The car will not start, because of what appears to be a lack of fuel.

Thanks

[AndrewW-G]

They cost around £10-15 to replace . . . . .

[turbopug]

Don't even attempt to clean it, it's a waste of time. For the sake of a fiver, stick a new one in.

[Jimmyarm]

If its a diesel and there is a lack of fuel then its probably the fuel pump...

What sort of car is it ?

[jbi]

replace it... diesels need a fresh fuel filter regularly, although the filter alone is probably not the reason behind your fuel starvation

[spitzie]

It's an Octavia vRS. I will be replacing the filter but I need to car tomorrow, so was hope a bit of clean may get it running to allow me to purchase a new filter while out tomorrow.

[lost in espace]

I have just done this, my car runs on veg oil and it got gummed up. A good flush with petrol, or better kerosene, will probably remove some of the sludge. However the element is paper and I don't hold a lot of hope.

[GreigM]

Did you find the priming pump? Often on diesels you have to manually prime them if they run out.