Water separator filter

Well I have successfully fitted the fuel filter kit and it was very straight forward. All needed parts right down to 3 cable ties and thread lock grease is included. The supplied fuel lines were slightly longer than needed which is good so can be trimmed to exact length needed.

The only issued I had, which has nothing to do with the kit, was unclipping the plastic fuel line connector which was a RRPITA :mad: When I did get it apart after a couple of hours I was so pleased I forgot to catch the diesel :blush: Priming the line and filter was very easy with the built in hand primer.

The filter is well protected sitting above the cross member along with the provided guard protecting the front. So well protected that when it's time to replace the filter it might help by removing the guard and/or having vehicle on a hoist. Also if the glass bowl needs draining there is not much room between it and cross member so could be fiddlie.

All in all I'm impressed with the kit. The stainless bracket and guard are well made and sturdy, about 3mm plate. There are no additional holes to be drilled for fitting, bracket and guard use existing bolts.

Regards.
Dirk...

Why was unclipping the hose a RRPITA, the wrong tool, location? Any tips for those who follow?

Nice installation, although if this was fitted to a vehicle still under warranty I'm not sure how LR would feel about its location in the system.

On another note to those who might be wondering, the D2 water sensor does not fit the puma . Tried this experiment and the filters are different drain plug threads.

Their basis of a complaint would have to be:

Allows contaminants into the system, either due to the installation process or a water leak ?
Creates excess restriction to the fuel system

Certainly a factor to consider, so i wish the OP well and look forward to an update in due course, my indy and LR advised such a filter, and suggested a Mr Funnel instead, but i remain sorely tempted.

Unclipping the Pumas factory plastic fuel line connector was a pain for all the reasons you mentioned AndyG.

The location of the blue clip is on the high side of the line so not easy to see and I was doing the filter install with the car on the ground. On a hoist would have made it much easier or jacked up so you could at least sit up underneath. I have a thing about cars on jacks, even with proper stands.

Also I've no experience with these type connectors. The workshop manual states just to push the fuel line quick release button and pull the 2 halves apart, wish it was that easy. So no special tool needed.

My approach was to try with tools of least destruction then work up :)
Fingers, screwdrivers etc. I tried pliers briefly but likelihood of damage was to great so gave that up.

In the end a made a curved wedge out of a thick washer with a slot for a screwdriver to be able to press down with.

Could not get a photo of the actual connector, the ones on the fuel cooler are the same.

Regards.
Dirk.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roley18

Well I have successfully fitted the fuel filter kit and it was very straight forward. All needed parts right down to 3 cable ties and thread lock grease is included. The supplied fuel lines were slightly longer than needed which is good so can be trimmed to exact length needed.

The only issued I had, which has nothing to do with the kit, was unclipping the plastic fuel line connector which was a RRPITA :mad: When I did get it apart after a couple of hours I was so pleased I forgot to catch the diesel :blush: Priming the line and filter was very easy with the built in hand primer.

The filter is well protected sitting above the cross member along with the provided guard protecting the front. So well protected that when it's time to replace the filter it might help by removing the guard and/or having vehicle on a hoist. Also if the glass bowl needs draining there is not much room between it and cross member so could be fiddlie.

All in all I'm impressed with the kit. The stainless bracket and guard are well made and sturdy, about 3mm plate. There are no additional holes to be drilled for fitting, bracket and guard use existing bolts.

Regards.
Dirk...

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I've been looking at the Diesel Care kit for awhile now, and have just stumbled across your fine write up. It's amazing what you find on here when your not really looking.

In fact, I too have found Peter, from Diesel Care very helpful, and he's very patiently answered all my questions.

How are you finding it now it's been installed for a month or so?
Have you had to drain the glass bowl since the install, and if so how did you do it without spilling diesel everywhere? It looks, from your pictures that it only sits a few mm above the cross member.

I was also looking at fitting the APT fuel cooler guard, do you reckon it would fit alongside the filter and it's surrounding guard?

APT Fabrication Custom Land Rover Parts & Accessories - Land Rover Fuel Cooler Guard | Defender TDci

I've compared your photo alongside APT's and it looks like it should be ok.
I might have do drop Ben a line.

Thanks again Dirk, for such an excellent install.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roley18

Unclipping the Pumas factory plastic fuel line connector was a pain for all the reasons you mentioned AndyG.

The location of the blue clip is on the high side of the line so not easy to see and I was doing the filter install with the car on the ground. On a hoist would have made it much easier or jacked up so you could at least sit up underneath. I have a thing about cars on jacks, even with proper stands.

Also I've no experience with these type connectors. The workshop manual states just to push the fuel line quick release button and pull the 2 halves apart, wish it was that easy. So no special tool needed.

My approach was to try with tools of least destruction then work up :)
Fingers, screwdrivers etc. I tried pliers briefly but likelihood of damage was to great so gave that up.

In the end a made a curved wedge out of a thick washer with a slot for a screwdriver to be able to press down with.

Could not get a photo of the actual connector, the ones on the fuel cooler are the same.

Regards.
Dirk.

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Exactly the reason my Puma has all fuel lines replaced with rubber fuel hose. Fuel cooler gone as well :)

Why would it be consider necessary to cool the return fuel. Is this common on other Marques, or unique to LR

And a little bit of research
Cool Fuel - Berrima Diesel Service
Importance of Diesel Fuel Cooling - TDIClub Forums

Am thinking the cooler is worth keeping, but I have no technical quals

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

Exactly the reason my Puma has all fuel lines replaced with rubber fuel hose. Fuel cooler gone as well :)

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I can understand the changing of the fuel lines, but could you please explain how removing the fuel cooler would benefit your Puma? How do you accommodate for the heat build up in the fuel?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ozy013

I can understand the changing of the fuel lines, but could you please explain how removing the fuel cooler would benefit your Puma? How do you accommodate for the heat build up in the fuel?

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I had the coolant line to the cooler knocked off in the bush, so that was why I got rid of it. As to cooling the return fuel, coolant is about 80 degrees so thats what the temp of the fuel will be. With no cooler, only ambient air (30 - 40 degrees), the temp difference is much greater,l therefore, to my thinking, better cooling (not taking into account the insulation properties of the rubber hose). And not forgetting the plastic fuel tank is a great heat sink in its self. I've had it off for about 5 years now and no dramas at all (and no cooler lines to get knocked off :D)
P.S the fuel cooler could be re-named the fuel heater.:angel: