what did I do wrong? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nibiru · #1 10-03-2003, 07:01 AM

Good morning

It appears I need to learn a little something of changing fuel filters.

I repalced my cruddy fuel lines ( leaking ) and decided to replace the fuel filter ( Main ) after I did a diesel purge.

Leak of diesel came from the top of the bolt. So I wait days for the local dealer to get me the rubber ring for the bolt as well as the copper seal ring . Replaced them both and yesterday as I look under the bonnet I see that this did not solve the problem.

When I replaced both O ring and seal ring I cleaned bolt - I hand tightened the main filter then tightened the bolt- and I even primed the main filter seal ring with diesel - still I have diesel pooling on the main filter housing

Anyone care to instruct on what I did wrong?

Please and thanks

Have a great weekend

Peace

P.E.Haiges · #2 10-03-2003, 11:28 AM

Nibiru,

This is a common problem caused by replacing the filter when it doesn't need to be replaced.

Try tightening the bolt more. If this doesn't work, you may have to replace the filter housing.

P E H

leathermang · #3 10-03-2003, 11:36 AM

PEH, so how does a really frugal person determine when a filter needs to be replaced....?
and DON"T tell me when it strands you on the side of the road...

#4 10-03-2003, 12:57 PM

PEH the man has a problem. Can we help him solve it or do we just "Kick him when he's down?"
Not sure the filter or line's are tight enough. Check them. I have had a filter repture. And just replaced it.
Some of us beleive in "previntive maintaince."
Charlie

P.E.Haiges · #5 10-03-2003, 01:09 PM

Leather,

You got it, when the engine stops running or has a noticible power loss. That's when I replace mine. Its such a simple roadside fix, its no problem to me.

I think I have an algae problem in the one SD. It plugs it's filters much more often than the other SD. I tried to get some algaeside locally but haven't found any, maybe its not a popular product in the north.

Going to AZ and NV soon, maybe I can find some there or on the way.

P E H

Rick Miley · #6 10-03-2003, 01:37 PM

PEH, here's what you need: BioBor BoatUS has stores in Maryland, but none in PA. Their site has a store locator that you could use to find stores along your route.

Toblin · #7 10-03-2003, 02:19 PM

nibiru

Been there, done that. That tightening bolt on the secondary filter takes a lot of torque to seal it against the pressure of the IP. Tighten it up some more, you’ll be fine.

Crowe · #8 10-03-2003, 02:27 PM

I would agree with Toblin. You need to tighten it some more. I had the same leak on my 300SD and thought I had the bolt tight enough. Just a little more torque and no more leak.

nibiru · #9 10-03-2003, 02:44 PM

thanks youz guyz:

I thoughht that might be the case - just wanted to consult the experts in case I may crack the aluminum housing.

ugly day here - I am spending the day trying to fix the Auto Climate buttons and investigating if I can handle the lack of cruise control operation myself with out going to GDL

Tomorrow I will tighten up the bolt.

Peace all and thanks

have a great weekend

nibiru · #10 10-03-2003, 02:54 PM

thanks youz guyz:

I thoughht that might be the case - just wanted to consult the experts in case I may crack the aluminum housing.

ugly day here - I am spending the day trying to fix the Auto Climate buttons and investigating if I can handle the lack of cruise control operation myself with out going to GDL

Tomorrow I will tighten up the bolt.

Peace all and thanks

have a great weekend

240Joe · #11 10-03-2003, 04:43 PM

I've had the same leak but I solved it my putting a very light skim of silicon sealer on the ring and washer.

I know some people are against this method, but I have started to use it anywhere I have something that is trying to contain a fluid...and it works great.

I had a neighbor with VW diesels and I once asked him when he changed his fuel filters and he said "I've never had to change one". And he put mega miles on those little diesel rabbits. Therefore, PEH isn't alone in his methods.

Joe

nibiru · #12 10-03-2003, 05:01 PM

Yup I primed the main filter gasket with a finger dip of diesel

I figured it the same as when you change a spin on oil filter Plus it said so in a web page I checked out.

Careful - It is leaking at the top bolt between the bolt head and the copper ring.

I wont crank on it but I will tighten more- when I tightened ( spin on the filter first ) before I hand tightened to my hand max and then with a 22mm wrench on the bolt head- I noticed that when I tightened the bolt - the filter would move a fraction in the direction I was turning - clockwise- so I figured there was plenty of diesel film on the gasket - so at least I primed that Ok - I Guess

I managed to fix the fuel sending unit- Just a solder on one of the stainless lines

I shall report the results in a mo- cool I might have just saved myself 85 beans. By the by- GermanStar has the best price on the VDO sending gauge

Peace

nibiru · #13 10-03-2003, 05:33 PM

Seems I can do something correct the first time

pulled the fuel sending unit out of the tank yesterday. dark and when I opened the tube I saw a thin wire fishing round

Looked at it today and said " I can fix that"

Grabbed a pencil style solder iron from Radio Shack and some light duty rosin core

Not too bad a job once you looked at it and figure that the wire broke off the contact point

just reinstalled and gauge now reads with no bouncing.

cool board

Thanks

Peace

Wes Bender · #14 10-04-2003, 11:40 AM

nibiru -

If someone had previously scarred the top of the filter housing, the copper washer may not seat properly. That was the case on one of my filter housings. I removed the filter and the bolt and very carefully smoothed the area where the copper washer rests.
Leak fixed.

Just my $.02.

Wes