Having battled a rusty fuel tank - yes - I've had to change filters literally 20-25 times in the past year. The first two times, I hadn't this fine forum as a friend and I changed the secondary filter w/o filling it up. I had to pump until my fingers bled and I killed my battery once too.

I'm not saying it COULDN'T work....I've just had much better luck loosening the bolt.

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

Hmm. Sounds like a problem with the condition of your car?
I have no problems whatsoever. Like I said, I did it earlier today.

But back on point, yes. The air returns to the tank.