Fuel filter replacement

[rowdyboy]

Has anyone replaced a fuel filter on the 3.0 tdi engine? I was wondering if anyone knew if the fuel system needs depressurising first and if it's a self bleeding engine after it has been replaced. Cheers.

 

[Chris79]

Hi, nice and easy - I changed mine one morning so the car had been stood overnight. I just removed the top and swapped the element.

Then it sorted itself out and started as normal.

Chris

 

[rowdyboy]

Hi, nice and easy - I changed mine one morning so the car had been stood overnight. I just removed the top and swapped the element.

Then it sorted itself out and started as normal.

Chris

Was this on a tdi??? The 3.0??? The filter on mine is not a cartridge type, it's the whole cylinder. Unless I'm looking at the wrong one.

 

[Chris79]

Yes its a 3.0 TDI.

The fuel filter is in a black dome under the engine cover between the banks of the V. Use a big socket 30+mm to undo the top, lift the paper element out and swap.

Having said that there might also be the canister you're talking about on the bulk head.

I swapped mine based on the items delivered when I ordered a fuel filter from Vag spares.

Have you got the part?

Chris

 

[rowdyboy]

Yes its a 3.0 TDI.

The fuel filter is in a black dome under the engine cover between the banks of the V. Use a big socket 30+mm to undo the top, lift the paper element out and swap.

Having said that there might also be the canister you're talking about on the bulk head.

I swapped mine based on the items delivered when I ordered a fuel filter from Vag spares.

Have you got the part?

Chris

No mate, thats the oil filter. To be fair, if you get those two mixed up you may not be the right person to be giving out advice. No offence intended.
The fuel filter is the metal cannister on the bulkhead, changing it is not the problem, its just the bleeding procedure im interested in. I know most modern engines are self bleeding but i would hate to cavitate the pump and wreck it £££££££££££.

Cheers

 

[Chris79]

Haha! It was oily now you mention it!

It was ages ago when I changed the oil and I haven't changed the fuel filter.

I see you're local to me (I live near Ikea) how has your car been?

What sort of mileage has it covered?

Cheers Chris

 

[rowdyboy]

Yes mate, very close.
Its been absolutely great, its covered 88000 miles, it was a company car before so it was all motorway miles and it still drives like new.
No probs so far, the only down side is the economy but you cant have everything i suppose. My other car is a 130 golf so the drop in economy was quite a shock but the power makes up for it. I just need to learn to control my right foot, lol.

 

[Chris79]

Spooky - we also have a 130 golf!

Think my starter motor is on its way out - I get a nasty rattle on startup - 100k miles.

Had a 2.5 TDI before which used more fuel than the 3.0, it faired very well in a crash!

Chris

 

[rowdyboy]

I finally got round to changing the fuel filter, simple 15 - 20 minute job. Cranked the engine for 20-25 seconds and she was purring like a kitten. The hardest part of it was paying for the filter, £49 from Derby Audi!!! Even the parts guy winced at that, lol. Even so it was way cheaper than a main stealer service, i was quoted £469 with optional fuel filter and brake fluid change.
I did the lot, including ALL filters (genuine parts + 8.2 litres!! of castrol edge, which i'm led to beleive main dealers don't use) for £156 + around 1 1/2 hours of my time.
I know if i ever sell it, some people will be put off by the lack of full main dealer or specialist service history but i know all the filters have been changed and the work done properly and at a fraction of the cost.

 

[jwhat]

Fair play doing it all yourself.

And if you keep the receipts for all the filters etc then at least people will know it had been serviced.

 

[rowdyboy]

Fair play doing it all yourself.

And if you keep the receipts for all the filters etc then at least people will know it had been serviced.

Thats what i thought mate and thats the reason i used genuine parts. In all honesty servicing your car is an absolute doddle, all the inspections are in the front of the service book and they are nothing really, checking washer fluid level etc, its a joke when you think how much you pay. Garages wont change every filter on every service/inspection, which i will (maybe not the fuel filter) so in fact mine will be serviced to a higher standard than having fsh.
One thing i would recommend that i invested in is a PELA pump, it sucks all the oil out from the dipstick hole. Its a top piece of kit, hassle and mess free.