Fuel Filter

[ktulumike]

I've been told that replacing the fuel filter regulary can help engine performance as the old filter can get clogged up.
Has anyone else heard this or tried it?

 

[fozzybear]

yes this is fact.i had one replaced on my old leon ,and i found it was the origional one at 80.000 miles..before it was changed i was putting out 150bhp instead of 180.after change i found out i was getting 188bhp ,38bhp more gained from clogged up filter

 

[Viking]

Here's mine, changed a few weeks ago. Unsure as to when it was last changed but supposedly full service history on the car.

The new filter was white when it went in.

 

[andycupra]

fuel filters are not usually changed as part of standard servicing. So a FSH is no indication it has been changed.

 

[techie]

fuel filters are not usually changed as part of standard servicing. So a FSH is no indication it has been changed.

They are on diesels, the MK2 Leon diesels have a fuel filter interval of 60k (20k for poor fuel quality).

 

[Dave_88]

I changed mine last month and it was really clogged up and car had only done 40k I did a full service because then you know everything has been done Timing belt this month aswell!

 

[shaunfriend]

Is the fuel filter the big cylinder on the left hand side of the engine bay with a few pipes connected? I have a problem with the engine hesitating at 3500Rpm every now and again like its not getting enough fuel.

This looks like an easy thing to self replace and with the part only being cheap I'm tempted to give it a try.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience?

 

[andycupra]

They are on diesels, the MK2 Leon diesels have a fuel filter interval of 60k (20k for poor fuel quality).

i shall say it again.

Just because a car has FSH it does not mean the fuel filter has been changed.

Look at it another way.
Brake fluid has a two year interval, but its very rare to find a car that has this done every two years, and often you will find cars have never had it changed!

Just because something has a interval this DOES NOT MEAN THAT ITS BEEN DONE SIMPLY BECAUSE A DEALER SERVICED IT.

Its sad but true to say that many things are not done by a dealer unless you specify AND PAY EXTRA FOR IT. Things like fuel filters and brake fluid fall into this category and is probably due to most customers not being clued up to the intervals but do ring round for the most competively priced servicing. If a dealer actually quoted for everything they would most likely get few customers as they would be seen as expensive.
As a result simply having FSH, even with a dealer does not mean everything that should be done has been.
Its actually frightening how little is done on some services.

 

[Proby]

It's crazy that the service interval is @60K for the TDI fuel filter change. There is no way I will personally leave mine that long, for what it costs I'll purchase the filter and change every 12 months same as all my past cars (whether petrol or diesel!)

 

[techie]

Its sad but true to say that many things are not done by a dealer unless you specify AND PAY EXTRA FOR IT. Things like fuel filters and brake fluid fall into this category and is probably due to most customers not being clued up to the intervals but do ring round for the most competively priced servicing..

Not disagreeing with you at all so don't get offended. However where brake fluid and cambelts are extra and chargeable fuel filters, air filter, plugs etc are included in the service if you price as per menu pricing and if the service sheet is filled out properly on elsa pro. the labour time and labour code will include time for changing the extra items.

That said there is now a bulletin from SEAT that states due to a rise in bio fuel (of which all diesel has to contain some) all diesel filters should now be changed at 40k.

 

[coggie]

That said there is now a bulletin from SEAT that states due to a rise in bio fuel (of which all diesel has to contain some) all diesel filters should now be changed at 40k.

Was told the exact same thing at VW today after enquiring for a 40k service.

 

[fozzybear]

best thing to do is tell them on service you want fuel filter changing,and specify it on service sheet...as for position of fuel pump on petrol engine,its positioned in front of the fuel tank just forward of rear drivers side wheel,will have a loop holding it in place.once loosened you will find two connectors one back one front,be careful in getting these off just squeeze with fingers and pull off (this is quite tricky unless on ramp).just make sure on replacement you have fuel flow arrow right way round before fitting......filter price reasonabley cheap around if i can remember £7 from eurocarparts i think but will check and update if different

 

[fozzybear]

just checked on euro and they are £20,as a bit more complex than my mk1 there are three connectors on it not two....and euro mechanics reccomend you change periodically as the 50000 miles is too longer period and could reduce performance.they suggest something like every second service or 20000 miles is more realistic to keep performance on top(the price of filter is for a bosch filter)

Bosch Fuel Filter

Part Number: 503440930
QTY OF FIT 1 Engine Code BWJ
Model Code (1P1) Description In-Line Filter
Dims (mm) OD:61 H:165 BHP 237

 

[ktulumike]

Cheers folks for all the replies. I've 30,000 miles on the clock so I'll get it changed. Has anyone done it themselves and is it easy enough to do, or would I be best gettin a mechanic to do it?
A how to guide would be great if anyone has done it themselves