Fuel filter priming

[STEVE290353]

Hello I hope to get some information regarding my 2012 Altea XL SE CR with a CFHC 2.0TDI motor and I wish to change the fuel filter but this being my first diesel I am unsure about priming the filter after changing it, my scan tool has no facility to do it, I have been told
it will prime itself on starting but want to be sure what is required before changing it.
Many thanks for any help Steve.

 

[Rich07]

I just done my fuel filter, my unit is a 07 2.0tdi bkd, the filter housing has if I recall five screws with four fuel lines out top, this is probably a useless comment as your unit is a later unit, CR, so I assume common rail? Whereas my BKD I believe is not, so incomparable fuel systems. Anyway with mine I simply removed the top popped the new filter in and it started straight away, when you put the new filter in gradually lower it into the canister to allow it to soak up the diesel otherwise it will overflow.

 

[STEVE290353]

Thank you for that Rich I was planning on pumping the filter housing out to be sure its really clean, a friend said he did a 07 A4 filter and the housing had a lot of crud in the bottom but it did prime itself from empty.
Many thanks Steve.

 

[Rich07]

Yeah I was going to clean my canister but it looked ok, the fuel filter however did not!!! put it this way I got a few laughs at my local factors! I'll be changing mine annually from now on, so easy.

 

[STEVE290353]

Rich how many miles had your fuel filter done to get so dirty just to give me some idea because this is my first Diesel car.

 

[Rich07]

I had it done last by the Seat dealer roughly 3/4 years ago, roughly between 25-35 thou miles ago,but I can't be certain, mileage could have been more. I'll look at my service records and later and give you an exact figure, but tbh it's so easy and cheap to do im gunna do it annually as part of the oil service from now on, it only took me five mins if that.

 

[Rich07]

Check your service schedule in your manual it should give you a recommendation, but tbh diesel is quite dirty so more often is better than not often enough, I'll get back to you about last change I'm curious myself now.

 

[Rich07]

According to my service records that filter covered just over 27k. I have read that on PD engines a black fuel filter is normal?

 

[Rich07]

I own a 1989 vw LT florida, that's 26 years old 260, 000 miles I changed the filter on that after 30k and it looked clean, so I think maybe it's different for various diesels, but like I say from what I've read a black filter for modern VW/PD diesels is normal, oh just a tip when you replace the filter housing lid it may be reluctant to go home the last few mill, just use pliers to pinch it home perhaps saves putting any strain on any of the five filter housing screws.

 

[STEVE290353]

Cheers for the info Rich I am getting on a bit and have always looked after my cars myself but with this being my first Diesel I have been wary with the fuel filter but it seems that on the post 2009 2.0 TDIs as long as you take care and fill the filter housing with fuel with the new filter in place you don't have to run the fuel pump to prime which is not that easy on these engines, so added to your info I feel happy doing it.
Thank you very much Steve.

 

[Rich07]

I've read that no priming is needed at all?? even if it's dry apparently it just takes some turning over to pull fuel through? however considering the dry filter has to absorb fuel I would be inclined to fill the canister, all I can say is once my new filter absorbed the fuel it was 80% full and started on the button and mine is an 07 2.0 tdi PD (bkd) But filling the canister also gives the filter a chance to take up the fuel, I didn't check but if there is priming issues then perhaps there would be bleed valves on fuel pump or canister? But like I say a very easy DIY job tbh.

 

[Rich07]

Tbh even if it did prime from dry I still would fill the canister with diesel, with my LT I filled the canister with neat diesel cleaner lol but it was a 'pour in filter cleaner' that cleared some carbon

 

[Rich07]

Just to be clear I wouldn't recommend the diesel cleaner in filter thing lol, n e way good luck.

 

[Rich07]

Btw just out of interest let me know what colour your old filter comes out like, thanx Rich.

 

[STEVE290353]

HI Rich
thanks for that I will let you know what the filter is like when I get it out but the three year warranty does not run out until the 22nd so I will do it after then, its done just over 20,000 miles at the moment so hopefully it will not be to bad.
Many thanks Steve.

 

[buckshot]

Hi Steve,
I changed the fuel filter on my 07 2.0 TDI, no idea how many miles it had been in. On inspection of the filter i'm going to change it every year, it was well black and gummy.
I cleaned the housing out and filled it about 1/2 full with clean diesel, lowered the filter down and topped it up.
Struck up 1st turn of the key, easy.
Neil.

 

[STEVE290353]

Hello Neil & Rich07
I recently changed my fuel filter at 22,000 miles from new and the filter was dirty but not at all bad, the car is just three years old and was not due a fuel filter until its four year service but I felt that was a bit long and looking at the old filter I feel 3 years is long enough.

I did the same procedure as yourself when changing the fuel filter and it fired up no trouble at all
which was a relief so thank you both for your help.
Have a nice day Steve.