Can I fill my spin on fuel filter with diesel kleen to avoid getting air into the engine? I will try to use the primer pump but maybe it's a good idea to use diesel kleen for maintenance purposes too? What do you guys think?

__________________
JBG
1985 TD wagon, 228k
running on grease since 3.07
AUSTIN, TEXAS

That works fine. You can also use ATF.

__________________

You can fill the filter with Diesel Kleen, Marvel Mystery Oil, diesel fuel, biodiesel, or ATF, before you put it back on.

It will make priming easier; however, unless you hook up a bottle of fuel or purge in place of the fuel tank (see Diesel Giant's site for pics and instructions), anything you put in the filter will be rapidly circulated to the fuel tank via the return line and diluted.

__________________
1983 300SD 467,000 km - 473 champagnermetallic

location: 34°5' N 106°53' W (Socorro NM, USA)

No problem, as others have said most of it will recirculate to the fuel tank so it's really not much different than dumping it in your tank (which is what it was designed for). I don't bother pre-filling the filter, I just pump a few extra times.

ditto what has been said.......I remember reading something years ago when I had my first SD..... if I recall correctly it stated that only 10% to 15% of the fuel passing through the filter at idle is metered into the combustion chamber by the injectors. The rest is returned to the tank by the jumper tubes (by-pass tubes) between injectors.

I still think that using Diesel Kleen as a primer when changing the filter has some benefits over just using straight diesel fuel or any other fluid. If anything you are already assured that it is a clean filtered fluid that has nothing in it that can harm your IP, Injectors, seals or hoses.
Just my 1.5 cents (US dollar is getting weaker!)

__________________
FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

You will find that there is no need to use the primer pump if you run the engine until warmed up, then change out the filter - while putting new fuel in the new filter. The car will start right up and run.

You are better off to never touch the primer pump if it is the original item. The more you mess with it the more likely it is to leak.

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

If you want to do a purge, go with lone...'s recommendation. I do fill the spin on filter when I change it out, use anything that will burn, I have a can of kerosene around, that's what I use, and starts right up. I'll agree with Ken... on the primer pump thing, I've replaced everyone I've owned with the new style.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD