Air (lots!) from fuel filter - where to get filter housing?

[stretcho]

First post and only had my 'new' T25 (1.6TD 1987) a few weeks ... was away properly for the first time a couple of days ago to the beach.......but on the way back lost power on going up any incline (spluttered and nearly stalled once too) and really struggled to get above 50mph on the flat also.

Pulled in and had a quick check for obvious leaks, splits etc. then noticed a large air bubble in the fuel line from the filter to the pump. Revved it and it looked like a spa bath coming down the pipe!!!!Checked/followed pipe back to tank....all looked good? With a huge/5 miles of steep hills in front of me so decided not to risk it (new I had no chance!!) so called for cover and told guy down phone what I suspected and he agreed.

Came out ... removed filter, cleaned filter, rechecked pipes/joints (clamped off heater too!) and blew compressed air back down pipes to tank to ensure any blockages cleared. Ran engine with filler cap off too but still looooads of bubbles streaming down line. Just to check put line into diesel can and ran no problem (from after filter though) Ended up getting a free ride home on the back of a trailer (saved me about £30 of fuel though...always a bright side!)

So left with:

Changing fuel filter - like this one
http://www.vwsonline.co.uk/car_parts_br ... 7b-tq.html

Or the housing above it? (is it called a housing?) - have googled but can't find. Is it called something else perhaps?

Also the washers either side of both the 'O' ring feed/outlet pipes.....should these be copper/sealed? could air be getting in here as just bog standard washers as far as I can see at the minute?

Or anything else? have found plenty of similar issues on forums but no definitive solutions to similar problems above/people have not updated with what fixed it for them?

Many thanks

GS

[andyb]

how old is the fuel pipe? pretty common when they get older and more brittle to look as if they are air tight at the connections to the filter and arent try a new bit of fuel line.

[stretcho]

Thanks....new pipe....hmm...could by pass from filter to tank to test to prove too/eliminate tank?

Also I am assuming air?.....if something was stopping/restricting flow then this would show up as 'bubbles'???

[dave friday]

Have a look on "Brickwerks"[google it] under service parts for t3 diesel,has pictures of both fuel filters,you will get some bubbles though!!
Good luck.

[Oldiebut goodie]

The better way to test for air leaks is to pressurize the diesel back up the pipes from the pump end and look for the damp patches (clamping near the tank) - the air is drawn in with the suction but as there is no pressure there is no trace of a fuel leak. Makes it damned hard to find those leaks.

[camper]

Later t25 diesel engine fuel filters where fited with a thermostat valve for the return fuel.They can become faulty and leak air back into the fuel filter.I have had this problem you can get a replacement valve & the seal from GSF.Early diesel engine 1.6cs/jx have a fuel filter without this valve GSF supply it.

[stretcho]

Thanks for the input. Its an older type filter. Could this be replaced with the newer type?

[camper]

Older type do you mean it has no thermostat valve.Both types are interchangable.

[gregwiththegrin]

Interesting thread! Im looking to replace my fuel filter and fuel hose to try and resolve an ongoing issue of my bus just completely conking out every 5 miles or so!

Ive replaced engine, carb, coil, amp, radiator and fuel pump and nothing has fixed it!

Im now thinking maybe theres some crud /air from the fuel tank? So my plan was to replace fuel filter and the piping from tank all the way up to fuel pump/carb.

I thought it might be a good idea to replace the current black fuel hose with a transparent one so I can see how shes fueling and if theres any bubbles or dirt? If your gonna replace hose it may be worth considering going transparent?

found this hose available on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PVC-Braided-H ... 1131wt_906" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just looking at the spec for that clear hose and max temp is only 65degrees so will have to keep searching for a higher temp cleear hose... anyone no of any?

[stretcho]

Mine is a transparent pipe from the filter to the block and is how I could see that air was getting in.

After a bit of messing around it was just a replacement filter and also the 'banjo' washers that attach to the fuel filter that sorted it out.

[GTIAlex]

Thought id revive this rather than starting a repeat topic.

My van does this when its only got about a 3'rd of a tank showing on the gauge; have been told to fix the problem I will need to fit a new tank.
Been told that there is a rubber pipe within the tank that picks up from the bottom of the tank, after time this pipe can deteriorate and therefore stop picking fuel up and pick up too much air.
Can't find any leaks elsewhere on the system and infact just had the head replaced along with all other general service items. There is also no blockage in the fuel filter banjo.

[Smcknighty]

You sure the fuel gauge is reading right?

[GTIAlex]

You sure the fuel gauge is reading right?

erm well, its not the most accurate I suppose.

[Smcknighty]

How much fuel does it take for a brim fill after it stops performing well?

[GTIAlex]

I was planning on brimming it tomorrow so il check back tomorrow