DIY Diesel Filter Change - Anyone

[RoughNeck6Zero]

Anyone here done a DIY diesel fuel filter change on a CRD ?
Would appreciate some info.

[suzieque]

found this on youtube, it may help

YouTube - Mercedes Sprinter - How to Change Diesel Fuel Filter

[lambournkoi]

I have not done one on the 300c V6 CRD yet but have done loads of others. Just make sure you fill the new filter with fuel before connecting the pipes, it will save you a lot of winding over. I'm not sure why the guy in the video bent the metal tabs back on top of the filter, I normally remove the screws and twist the pipe to clear the tabs and pull it out. If he had a clearance problem in the vid he could have twisted the filter a little.

The V6 does not look as easy to get to as that lol and I don't think you'll want to drain the diesel down in to the V of the engine either, hopefully you can remove the filter prior to draining or it has a length pipe on the drain point.

[RoughNeck6Zero]

Thanks folks , another web site made it out to be a lot more complicated while being vague about the method.

Anybody know the change interval , is it 25K miles or more?

I mainly want to check and drain any water/sediment from the filter at this stage, as it shouldn't need replacing at 9k miles.

But you just never know how contaminated a fill of diesel you've had along the way, may have been.

I know I had one back in Feb this year. Never again if I can help it.

The forecourt storage tanks are supposed to be flushed and cleaned every so often, but how many of the owners bother to do it?

What I'd like is a filter between the filling station pump nozzle and the tank filler pipe, so the crud doesn't make it to the cars tank at all.

But I don't think such a filter exists. I wish!

[lambournkoi]

Yes it's every 25,000miles.

[RoughNeck6Zero]

Thanks mate.
I read on a site which said 100k miles for this engine in the USA fitted in a Dodge Express panel van which is a Mercedes Sprinter to you and I.

I was curious how the filter could last that long!

[lambournkoi]

It probably could last 100k but chrysler say 25k so we have to follow there service schedule.

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

well I changed the fuel filter on my wifes diesel(yuk,lol)Rav4 for the first time at 50,000m and the fuel that came out was clean,however on my customers cars I change them as per schedule(so there are no come backs) and on all the french cars their are brass residues in the filter which tell me the pumps are slowly eating themselves(as the pumps on french sh1t have brass bushings in the fuel pumps).I know what your gonna say,"but the filter is before the pump,so how's the brass residue getting there?"...It's getting there from the fuel return pipes....So,what I'm saying is if you change your fuel filter yourself,tip the fuel from the filter into a clean bowl(or whatever) and inspect for any crap in the fuel

[devilmaycare]

The following info has been extracted from the Workshop Manual.
Note that a pump in the fuel tank provides power-assistance for water removal and re-filling the filter, so manual re-filling shouldn't be necessary.


SEPARATOR-FILTER FUEL AND WATER
DESCRIPTION
The fuel filter has a 5 micron element and was designed for improved high altitude operation. Another design feature
is better re-start after the fuel tank has been completely emptied. The water drain and water in fuel (WIF)
sensor are located on the top of the filter. Water is drained by using the in-tank electric fuel pump to generate flow
(attach a hose to the drain and capture fuel in appropriately marked containers). The filter has a pressure differential
of 200–300 mbar (2.9 psi.) when new. When dirty, the pressure differential rises to 800 mbar (11.6 psi.)
REMOVAL
WARNING: No sparks, open flames or smoking. Risk of poisoning from inhaling and swallowing fuel. Risk
of injury to eyes and skin from contact with fuel. Pour fuels only into suitable and appropriately marked
containers. Wear protective clothing.
1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Insert a suitable hose into the fuel drain port in rear of filter, turn drain port counterclockwise and drain fuel into
a suitable and appropriately marked container.
3. Disconnect fuel feed and return lines at fuel filter and set aside.
4. Disconnect fuel heater electrical connector at fuel filter.
5. Remove fuel filter retaining bracket bolt and remove fuel filter.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: No sparks, open flames or smoking. Risk of poisoning from inhaling and swallowing fuel. Risk
of injury to eyes and skin from contact with fuel. Pour fuels only into suitable and appropriately marked
containers. Wear protective clothing.
NOTE: Assure fuel filter drain port is closed.
1. Connect fuel heater electrical connector.
2. Position fuel filter in bracket and tighten retaining bolt.
3. Connect fuel feed and return lines.
4. Connect negative battery cable.
5. Start engine and inspect for leaks.

[suzieque]

there was some debate on another forum that the filter needed to be primed to remove air, if the diesel runs out of fuel, as air is bad for diesels. not sure if this is something to consider when changing the fuel filter. the fix was to somehow run the system without starting the vehicle.

I can't seem to find the thread, but if I do I will post it. I believe the debate ended with the belief that mercedes fixed this in the new CRD and that the problem only affected older diesels.

since the CRD is fairly common in Europe, maybe someone on this forum can speak up.

found the post
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...17&postcount=6