fuel filter change

[monkeyboysee]

hi all,

i'm contemplating changing the fuel filter, any tips, ie how to not get covered in fuel etc!

the van wouldn't start today, turned over fine but not firing, unusual as the problems before have all been either a suspect starter motor / bad earth. the previous owner said he had had probs with the filter as he had run the tank low and had loads of crap through it. i'm afraid i ran pretty low on my last run as the petrol station i planned on was shut for refurb!

the filter doesn't look particularly dirty, no bits etc but nowhere as clean as the new one i have as a spare. its a start though, if that doesn't work, i can move up to the engine compartment.

[phil miller]

what engine and age mate?

[Nicola&Tony]

. . . .any tips, ie how to not get covered in fuel etc!

If it's a petrol engine, jack (and axle stand) the rear o/s corner of the van. Don't disconnect both hoses off the old filter before fitting the new one. Disconnect one end, insert new filter, disconnect other end, insert new filter. This way you can keep both hoses pointing upwards (i.e. towards the floor of the van) whilst you work.

Tony

[monkeyboysee]

DOH!!!

Its a 1981 1600 Aircooled.

Thanks guys, that sounds like a good tip, but i think i'm going to put in some petrol first, as i think on i've run it a bit on and off since the last trip, its always possible it run dry!

cheers guys

[edoh]

for moi -
small plastic bowl under van fuel filter -
rag - pencil - screwdriver -
i unscrew clip on filter -the hose going to fuel tank side - pull off hose -
stick a pencil in the hose to avoid spillage -
unscrew other clip on fuel filter - pull off the hose going towards engine side -
NOTING which way filter is pointing and which way the arrow is pointing on the filter -
replace fuel filter - reconnect hoses - retighten clips - run a rag over filter n hoses -
run engine to check for any leaks - job done - 3 or 4minutes -

some weeks later - i absent mindedly chew the pencil mentioned above whilst drawing maps of world domination -
and wonder why it tastes so nice!

[monkeyboysee]

cheers guys, i'll give it a go at the weekend, i've got some fuel as well, just in case!

cheers

[82JEW75]

Change the short bits of hose while you're at it. They're only pence and almost certainly need changing.

As yours is a CT, don't forget to do the other side (fuel return from carb) too!

Easiest way to do it is to park the van facing downhill with little fuel in the tank, don't forget to chock the wheels.

Soak the new hoses in a bucket of hot water for a bit to soften them up, makes getting them on easier, fit to new filter before fitting to van (measure first), that's two connections less to make under the van.


I say change the hoses because, even if your old ones look ok, they'll be old and brittle and you're about to stretch and bend them. The cost of the replacement hose is less than half a litre of petrol...