Warning, Changing the fuel filter on the Tdi

rendrum · 07-04-2009, 01:21 PM

As I tow a van I have the oil filter and oil changed every 7-8000k's. In preperation for a trip I took the car into my usual local mechanic for the change and this time decided to have the fuel filter changed as well. Genuine parts used and all changed over and then the car would not start. The mechanics could not reprime the fuel system. Experienced generally as they are and many hours later they said "can't do it". One day later the car is on a tow truck and being taken to the the Ford dealer and scheduled to be worked on tomorrow. What should have been a two hour job will be at best 3 days and many $'s later. It looks like thefuel filter should be left to the dealer and their service bulletins (I hope) I guess the other message here is "don't run out of diesel".

apstar · 07-04-2009, 10:18 PM

I had no problem when I ran out filled it up and away it went I think he has done something to cause the problem JMHO

apstar

thefox3305 · 08-04-2009, 07:43 AM

i ran my tdi dry due to faulty dte gauge on first decent trip - Portland Vic to Sydney.
Dealer at Campbelltown came out and fuelled me up. As he was filling up, I asked him about priming it up. He said there was a strict criteria to follow, but it should be no problems. He told me it was written in the manual, but he knew it as they had several run out like mine.
He followed some sequence with the ignition key, can't remember exactly what he did. But key was on for a certain time, off for a certain time, sequence repeated about three times, then he said now we try it. Started straight away.
The DTE was fixed and i don't expect to run out again!
Trevor