Water In Fuel Filter

[buford_t_justice]

Does anybody know if the fuel filters on a TDI (PD) have a facility to drain the water from them or is it necessary to replace the complete filter?

[Another?Maybe!]

I have a copy of the Haynes manual(up to Aug 2000) which has a couple of paragraphs on "Fuel filter draining". Quite a few bits to remove before you can get at it and text doesn't actually say what you are draining! But a photo description says 'slacken cap to drain water'. This is part of Haynes 10,000m service so should be done by dealer I assume (dangerous!)

 

A previous car I had was Ford Maverick (Terrano) diesel. On this the fuel filter was fixed to the bulkhead, easily getattable with a tap at the bottom and a 'drain water symbol' in the instruments. But I never had to drain it and, knowing my dealer, they never drained it either. Guess as the filter on the Gal is pretty inaccessible it's not too important between services?

 

PeteR

[Topbloke]

IIRC the filter is a bugger to get at and there is usually a drain on the bottom of it, the filter contains fuel (duh) and some times water, fuel being lighter than water ,the water sits at the bottom and can be drained off, as a mek can ik we very rarely drained them because the modern fuel suppliers have got there act together and is not required. If you are that worried about water then you would be better just changing the whole unit

[buford_t_justice]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I was wanting to have a look at doing this job myself for the same reason Topbloke said that garages tend not to bother even though it is part of the service schedule.

 

I've only just recently got the car and obviously can't vouch for where the last owner got their diesel from but I buy from one station only so if any water does show up from now then I know who's door to go knocking on!

[Railman]

I have changed the fuel filter as per the service schedule 3 times but can honestley say that I drained the filter each time and found no water at all. I dont think its a problem, but you can do it easily yourself. The filter is visable to the right of the engine cover and is held in place by a plastic clamp.unscrew the clamp to allow a bit of movement and the scew (large plastic knob) is on the bottom of the canister you can let it drain into a plastic cap from an aerosol or similar. If you have trouble you can always take the fiter off the in and out pipes are only held in place by spring clips.