MK3 mondeo fuel filter change

Reality Bites · 15 Dec 2011 at 13:39

I need to change my ST220 fuel filter at the weekend. I'm hoping it's a simple job but has anyone got any advice or warnings?

death_looms · 15 Dec 2011 at 14:21

If it's in the same place as the 1.8, get stands/ramp for it, access isn't great. Prime the new one first, and be careful with the fuel lines, they're a 'quick connect' type and there's a tool for removing them properly which I diddn't have, and I managed to break both

.

Phil W · 15 Dec 2011 at 15:44

Either have the blaking caps from the new one at the ready or something to catch the fuel in. Its suprising how much fuel they hold so its worth putting it back in (preferably out of the filtered end of the old one and in the pre-filtered end of the new one

).

Reality Bites · 15 Dec 2011 at 17:34

Thanks both. I'm assuming the tool for the quick connections on the filter are a ford only tool? Wondering if it will be safer to get ford to do it, need the car working next week so can't afford to knacker it.

death_looms · 16 Dec 2011 at 09:31

You can probably get the tool from parts. It's not a long job (if you can do it right), prime the new, off with the old, on with the new, prime fuel system and start... That's assuming all goes to plan, can't imagine it being TOO expensive form a garage. May as well get a quote, It'll do no harm.

red eye · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:16

Reality Bites said:
Thanks both. I'm assuming the tool for the quick connections on the filter are a ford only tool? Wondering if it will be safer to get ford to do it, need the car working next week so can't afford to knacker it.

no its the same on all cars, there are special tools you can get from euro carparts and gsf, I just use pliers and wiggle it out

Phil W · 17 Dec 2011 at 10:25

red eye said:
I just use pliers and wiggle it out

Same.

I've also used small electrical screwdrivers before. Pop one side in and then pull the fuel line a bit so it stays out of the fixed position and then repeat on the other side. Its fiddly but the way i did it.

Is the fuel filter under the car? On my MK3 TDCi it was in the engine bay, probably the easiest filter change i've ever done

andy_mk3 · 17 Dec 2011 at 10:29

If it's a petrol then no need to prime it, diesel is another matter (and can cause hell if not primed properly!). The connectors are easy to remove with a small screwdriver, just be careful of your eyes as there's likely to be some fuel pressure in there still.

death_looms · 17 Dec 2011 at 12:14

andy_mk3 said:
... just be careful of your eyes as there's likely to be some fuel pressure in there still.

Oh yeah.

When I was getting it into ford to fix my muchups, they said the petrol had to be primed too. Haven't successfully done it so can't confirm, but that's what the dealer told me. ymmv.

andy_mk3 · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:41

death_looms said:
Oh yeah.

When I was getting it into ford to fix my muchups, they said the petrol had to be primed too. Haven't successfully done it so can't confirm, but that's what the dealer told me. ymmv.

I've been servicing cars for over 3 years now and have never once primed a petrol filter

At worst it takes 10-15 seconds of cranking to prime again, but 90% start straight away and have primed themselves before you know it

red eye · 30 Dec 2011 at 21:32

death_looms said:
Oh yeah.

When I was getting it into ford to fix my muchups, they said the petrol had to be primed too. Haven't successfully done it so can't confirm, but that's what the dealer told me. ymmv.

its one of those fetch me a glass hammer and left handed screwdriver pranks