Fuel Filter Bleeding

[cheshired5]

Possible silly question alert so I'll apologise in advance :/

When you take a sample of diesel using the bleed screw at the bottom of the filter, has this fuel been filtered?

What I mean is, does the sample show the quality of the fuel straight from the tank pre-filtration or is it the filtered fuel that's about to head into the engine?

I'm talking metal cartridge type btw.

[skyship007]

It's not been filtered, so the blocked water and crud should be first to drain.

[bongodave]

Originally Posted by skyship007

It's not been filtered, so the blocked water and crud should be first to drain.

Yup, it's the water drain-off.

[cheshired5]

Thanks gents.
So it's a bit like the first audition before even getting a sniff at being filtered.
If you're too crappy or watery, you're not going any further and out the drain hole you go.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Thanks gents.
So it's a bit like the first audition before even getting a sniff at being filtered.
If you're too crappy or watery, you're not going any further and out the drain hole you go.

Only if you fit real Volvo (Or Bosch) fuel filters. Cheap non OEM ones can fail when they start to block because they split and then that can easily be game over for both HP pump and injector tips.

Wiped out a fuel injection pump and a set of injectors on a Yanmar diesel once because I did not notice the wrong fuel filter element had been used.

[bongodave]

Originally Posted by skyship007

Only if you fit real Volvo (Or Bosch) fuel filters. Cheap non OEM ones can fail when they start to block because they split and then that can easily be game over for both HP pump and injector tips.

Wiped out a fuel injection pump and a set of injectors on a Yanmar diesel once because I did not notice the wrong fuel filter element had been used.

We fitted 50 non oem filters per month on a variety of Post Offic vehicles. Never had one fail in the 12 years I was there.

Get a branded after-market filter and you will be fine.

[Rossi-fan]

I've been using Fram filters, but I would like to try a Wix Filter if I can get hold of one for a D5. I believe they're about the same price as the Fram Filter.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by bongodave

We fitted 50 non oem filters per month on a variety of Post Offic vehicles. Never had one fail in the 12 years I was there.

Get a branded after-market filter and you will be fine.

Most of the Volvo diesels have design specific fuel filters and they are based on Bosch original specs, so most have a more expensive zig zag pattern. That means they will hold more debris and the chances of them splitting when blocked is almost nil.

If you fit non OEM fuel filters they should be changed more often as the modern common rail injectors are much more sensitive than the fuel injectors and injection pumps in a Post office van. Mann, Hengst, Mahle and Bosch are OK if you don't push the limits, BUT make sure it says made in Germany on them, as some of the ones sold on Fleabay don't.

[bongodave]

Originally Posted by skyship007

Most of the Volvo diesels have design specific fuel filters and they are based on Bosch original specs, so most have a more expensive zig zag pattern. That means they will hold more debris and the chances of them splitting when blocked is almost nil.

If you fit non OEM fuel filters they should be changed more often as the modern common rail injectors are much more sensitive than the fuel injectors and injection pumps in a Post office van. Mann, Hengst, Mahle and Bosch are OK if you don't push the limits, BUT make sure it says made in Germany on them, as some of the ones sold on Fleabay don't.

Sorry, incorrect. We had plenty of common rail diesels. I'm a time-served diesel mechanic. After market are fine. Just as most, if not all aftermarket products are fine, contrary to what owners are lead to believe.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by Rossi-fan

I've been using Fram filters, but I would like to try a Wix Filter if I can get hold of one for a D5. I believe they're about the same price as the Fram Filter.

They are also the same Far Eastern quality, although WIX oil filters are better than the, "Orange cans of death", as the US engine overhaul experts call them. Ford Motorcraft filters are OK if you have a V50 2.0 etc.