plugged filter

[nephilim]

anyone know a good way to see if your fuel filter is clogged wihtout having to buy a new filter?

[Kor]

Re: plugged filter

anyone know a good way to see if your fuel filter is clogged wihtout having to buy a new filter?

If you suck on the end and don't get a mouthful of gas, it might be clogged.

[bart]

Re: plugged filter

well your car would be slower, do whatever a car would do with it getting less fuel...

[nephilim]

Re: plugged filter

I still have an upset stomach from the last time I tried that. I was hoping for a better way.

[Kor]

Re: plugged filter

well your car would be slower, do whatever a car would do with it getting less fuel...

If you had a fuel pressure gauge it might drop... but probably isn't one...

Jokes aside I think there is no way to tell. Why do you think it might be clogged? Gummy bears in the tank?

[nephilim]

Re: plugged filter

More background: the car wont even start, it will turn but not start. Theres no fuel going from the filter to the engine, and it wont even draw the fuel out of the line between the filter and the engine.

[nephilim]

Re: plugged filter

If it was clogged I would have to suspect that my last batch of biodiesel didnt end up too well (but I would hate to think that so I'm trying not to). My first couple of tanks of biodiesel dredged anough crap out of the system that I clogged a filter but the car would still start, just surge, sputter and have less power. These are rather different symptoms (seemed like a relay 109 problem but a new one didnt fixi t either) so I'm not too sure.

[Kor]

Re: plugged filter

If it was clogged I would have to suspect that my last batch of biodiesel didnt end up too well (but I would hate to think that so I'm trying not to). My first couple of tanks of biodiesel dredged anough crap out of the system that I clogged a filter but the car would still start, just surge, sputter and have less power. These are rather different symptoms (seemed like a relay 109 problem but a new one didnt fixi t either) so I'm not too sure.

No fuel getting to the engine for sure?

Ok if there is no fuel running from the filter to the engine then something is stopping the fuel. There are only two things between the engine and the fuel as far as I know. One is the filter. The other is the in-tank pump. I assume that diesels have the same kinda tank/pump as gas engines since I am a dieseln00b.

I think the in tank pump comes on if you just power on the car but don't try to start anything? If so maybe you can do that and see if it pumps to the filter. But this is very much guesswork i do not know what I am doing.

[apoh]

Re: plugged filter

have you had a chance to look at the fuel tank? i won't be surprised if there's still crud in there if you clogged up your fuel filter that bad. the worst thing is if the crud goes down the fuel lines and clogs up the injectors $$$$$$.

[Stonewall]

Re: plugged filter

I believe there isn't a pump in the tank but there is a fuel sending unit and I know from experiance that if that is not working the car will not start well if at all. Take a look at the clear line from the fuel filter and see if fuel is moving when you are turning the motor over, if none is moving it is more then likely the filter and for the cheap cost just repalce it (as should be done atleast every year).

[Flanders]

Re: plugged filter

check the feul pump relay too!!! I've seen this part go a few times (not on my car yet though!).

Does the pump still prime when you unlock the car and open the drivers door?

[Red90]

Re: plugged filter

Oh it's a diesel. Remember the injection pump is having to suck through the filter. If it loses prime, it has a harder time. Don't continue cranking with no fuel in the pump as you can kill the (very expensive) pump.

Pull the thermostatic tee off and fill up the filter with fuel. With the Tee back on try starting. Do you see fuel moving through the clear line? If not, try removing the line from the tank to the filter, so air will get sucked in and try again.

BTW, is it a stock filter?? Couldn't hurt to get a new one and try it. If it is stock, you really should think of changing to a better one.

Have you just switched to using BD? It will clean up the tank initially and can cuase the fileter to plug.

[nephilim]

Re: plugged filter

What would you recommend is a good filter?

[Kor]

Re: plugged filter

W00t someone smart. Damned diesels so complicated.

[nephilim]

Re: plugged filter

Damned diesels so complicated.

Complicated?? No plugs, no wires, butt busting torque (when the da#$ed thing runs) whats not to love