Engine: D52447: Fuel filter - lessons learnt

[DG651]

Thanks to the forum I have at last got my 04 XC90 running sweetly after suffering the dreaded poor start/running in cold weather. Please allow me to pass on lessons learnt to fellow XC90 Newbies:

1. Pay attention to the advise in the Forum - there are a lot of experienced, helpful people out there.
2. The filter is a PIG to remove - without grunt and a strap wrench it won't come off. Persevere; don't, as I did initially, wus-out for fear of breaking the holder, give it some max effort.
3. After changing the filter it takes a flippin age to get fuel through to the engine - again, persevere; I couldn't believe the amount of engine cranking and battery flattening before it started and ran as if there was never a problem.
4. When buying the car second hand the first thing to do is change the filter; you don't know what the previous owner has been running the car on (cheap super market crap or biodiesel). Even with a full VSH up to 6K ago, my filter was so clogged that the previous owner must have been running on bio-diesel or porridge.
And Finally:
5. Pay attention to the advise in the forum.

Thanks - Dave

[grin factor]

Well said. It is an excellent forum for good info, help & support

[raife]

Someone will correct me if i'm wrong but I don't think you should/need to crank the engine to get air through. Just turn to position two on the key and it starts the fuel pump. On/off a few times and it does it..... i think.

[DG651]

That's what I thought initially, and tried (Ign to II) it many times with no success. Then I remembered I once had a Saab that would not supply power to the fuel pump unless the crank was turning - a sensor detected this. Anyways, you are probably right, my relief at having sorted the problem led me to offer my thanks to the source of valuable assistance - this forum.