What steps/precautions should I take in the replacement of both disposable fuel filters? How much fuel spills from system pressure? Is starting with one filter as opposed to the other preferrable?

Thanks, Bill. I read in one post that a warm engine is preferrable for restarting. She's warming up right now. I'll trade them out this afternoon. When I changed oil last week I used Delvac 15/40. Apparently too thick. The timing chain "buzzed" for about 30 seconds when I started up this morning. Temp was upper 30's and did not use block heater.

Changed fuel filters with engine warm.

Added a couple of ounces of Power Service to screw on filter - a couple dozen pumps to prime - started at first bump of starter and away we go.

I did not pour fuel from old filter into new because I was concerned that impurities from old (no idea how old) would get needlessly dumped into new.

Tomorrow will be AT fluid and filter change.

Oh, is a bubble of air common in pre-filter?

The pre-filter bubble is pretty common.

Make sure on your AT fluid change to drain the torque convertor. Many threads here on that - the torque convertor has a drain plug too.

Ken300D

I'll take her out for a drive this evening. I was really surprised at easy she started after the filter change. Lots of posts on starting difficulties after the change. I'll always do the fuel filter change with a warm engine from here on.

The old pre-filter screen was caked solid. I ran some power service through last week and then started noticing some hesitation at 50-60 mph. My guess is that the hesitaion is gone with the old filters.

Thanks for the heads up on the Torque Conv., Ken. Hope to have this one done before the weekend.

mccan

I agree with you 100% about not pouring the old fuel into the new filter! It's madness!

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

I did a goofy thing when changing the second, large spin-on type fuel filter. I did not replace the copper washer that sits under that big bolt in top. It leaked fuel.

Bill

The fuel inside the fuel cannister would contain fuel which was only filtered by the small inline filter, therefore I don't feel it would be properly filtered, especially if the inline was dirty/clogged/or whatever.

Aye Matey, tis madness I tell thee!!

...or not

I have learned a lot from you, thanks for all your good work!

By the way, on my "new" car, I found a Uniroyal on one of the wheels!!!!!
And it was a properly made tire---made in Germany!

So there you are, no absolutes.

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

For you first timers, take precaution in the proper direction of the inline filter.

I,,,, I mean,,,,, what I ment to say is "I know some who" installed it backwards. The direction arrow on the brand of filter was very small and you had to look for it. The car ran fine for several weeks until the particles caused the filter to jam.

In changing the screw on filter, I find it nice to own a one gallon gas can for diesel only. Buy a gallon of diesel before the filter change, load the filter before the start, and throw the rest in your tank.

TXBILL,

I really don't think you have good enough eyesight to see all those 5 to 10 micron particles that were trapped in your old filter going into your new filter. Even when filling the new filter, you should only fill the out side holes and not the center hole or unfiltered oil is getting into your injection pump.

P E H

TXBILL,

I should have more specific, I meant fuel oil or Diesel fuel. You said you filled the new filter with Diesel fuel from the old filter. The problem is that the fuel from the old filter may have dirt in it and you are pouring that dirt into the new filter. It might be OK if you made sure not to get any of the fuel oil from the old filter into the center hole of the new filter, but I would rather use the hand pump to fill the new filter.

P E H

This may of interest to some, I take a clean glass jar and pour the old fuel from the old filter in it, then set it down and wait a while then hold it up to the lite and you can see if there is any water in your system or other dirt. This tells you how dirty your fueling stations are. I have sometimes change places where i get my fuel. Bill

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94 dodge cummings,86 ford 6.9,75 mbz 240d[ sold], 82 mbz 300sd,83 mbz 300sd

replaced both pre and main fuel filters yesterday (with mann main and bosch clear pre -filters from fastlane , of course ). Yes txbill i did use the fuel from the old filter to fill up the new one! after checking the condition of the fuel with the glass jar method and not knowing the condition of my old style primer pump decided to go for it. completed install and and lo and behold started and ran first crack on already warm engine.
performance is much improved and shift points better, course maybe cause the old filters were in there for 5 yrs may have something to do with it?!

__________________
1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

I think you're pretty much fine doing any of the things tx bill suggested for filling the new filter. I'd recommend pouring one of those addtives in, like redline, stanadyne,power service, etc. Its a shot of pure cleaner/lubricant to the injectors, etc. I'm not a mechanic or expert, but I dont think pouring the old fuel into the new filter would really hurt anything. Also, I sure as hell wouldn't put ATF in my fuel. Thats an old truckers myth. Use the right tool for the job - atf is for your transmission. The reason you dont want to use it is because once burned, atf leaves a high ash content and residue in your engine, not what you want!

mcaan - for that cold of weather you're probably right, 15 is too high. I'd highly recommend the delvac 1 synthetic 5w-40. Its fluid down to -65. I live in the snow belt of Cleveland, and this winter was mild, but after leaving my car out all night in 8-15 degree weather, it starts with zero hesitation, and is smooth from the beginning. Other dieselfreaks in the area report the same.

__________________
2004 Ram 2500 Cummins HO
2000 Jetta TDI
1999 E300 (sold)

Bigbrowndog,

I'm not sure what you are talking about but there is a tiny bleed hole above the filter which lets any air in the filter bleed back to the fuel tank. The overflow from the injectors and injection pump is also returned to the tank thru the parts on top of the filter.

P E H