Thread: fuel filters/water removal

I've been thinking more and more about putting in a second filter. As always, trying to do a search seems to bring up 50 thousand results of everything but what I'm after....

i understand there is already a filter and water separator, but the handbook says to have it cleared out by a Dealer/Authorised repairer. Is it accessible to the common folk - particuarly when a warning comes up in the middle of nowhere? Or really for a dealer to do?

Failing that, is there any issue with a second filter - I read in the mags that they 'may' reduce the pressure being supplied to the common rail and thus have other problems. Is that a known occurrence in D4s? Some state their max flow rates - what flow rate would I need?

If all ok, what is a good one to install, and where is the best place to put it in the engine bay? (or an accessible location near the tank?)

Thanks
Andrew

Depending on what year model you have, there's a valve/sensor on the bottom of the filter that can be opened. My 08 has the white canister style filter.

Easy enough to do - from memory it needs a 10mm spanner to open it. You may have to bleed the fuel system once you've done this - at the top of the engine (under the cover) there is the main fuel supply line - this has a valve on top of it not unlike a tire valve. You need to turn the ignition on, let the in-tank pump prime, then crack this valve. Keep doing this until just diesel runs out - no air. You'll know the point. The engine won't start if there's air in the fuel.