First time replacing Pri. fuel filter
 

Hey all,

I am about to undertake this very elimentary task but have a question. Do I have to prime the fuel system after replacement? I am afraid that I will starve the IP if I do not. Thanks for all your help!

Nope

How much fuel is in your tank?

My tank is about 4-5gal from full.

If you fill the new filter with diesel you should not need to prime. I always give mine a few pumps though.

It would seem difficult and messy to fill the tiny filter.

Just to clarify: The primary filter is the small plastic filter in the fuel line immediately prior to the lift pump. This filter can simply be replaced.
The secondary filter is the large (apparent) screw on filter above the IP and after the lift pump. This filter needs to be filled with a burnable liquid like diesel fuel, ATF, Diesel Purge or something similar when it is replaced or the system will need to be primed.

:confused:;):D

I call the spin-on filter the primary filter, since it is the one doing all of the filtering. The clear, inline filter is the "pre-filter". It's nothing but a mesh screen. ;)

With a nearly full fuel tank, it will probably fill itself once you connect the supply hose. (Don't plan on taking a lunch break after you remove the old filter.)

The folks in Stuttgart apparently saw things a different way. (As in "primary" means "first" and "secondary" means "after first.")

Now I'm really confused! What do you mean in regards to the lunch break??:confused:

With the fuel tank nearly full, the primary filter will be lower than the level of the fuel in the tank, unless the car is parked facing uphill. So fuel will probably start to flow when you remove the primary filter, so you need to be ready to install the new filter. Or be prepared to plug or clamp the supply hose. Just don't walk off or you will have a lot of diesel fuel in a place where you don't want it!!!

I call my wife honey sometimes too but it doesn't make her nice.......;)

When removing the primary filter, I unscrew at the pump, remove hose quickly and raise the primary up as high as I can, this then minimizes the spill, holding it up, I remove the filter and screw it back own, a couple of shop towels, for me with very little spill.
ron