Fuel filter change on modern diesel

Tesla

Tesla

Tesla

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2003
Posts
17,599
Location
Bristol, UK
Hi,

I have already clocked up 9000 miles in my Mondeo so it's 112500 mile service is due.

I am going to be doing this myself either later today or over the weekend (or both if it goes badly!).

I have done some brief Googling regarding priming a diesel fuel system after a filter change. My previous vehicle, a 1.3 diesel van was quite easy. Just turn the ignition about 5 times and it did the priming for you. The Mondeo is apparently a pig to start after changing the fuel filter.

What's the correct procedure for "bleeding" the air our of fuel lines on a modern diesel? Do I need some sort of vacuum tool in the engine bay?

TIA!
 
Unfortunately Haynes do not produce one for the Mk4 Mondeo.
Bad times.

I've checked the Ford forums and some people have used some easy start stuff (is this OK to use or a bodge?). Others have used vacuum pumps on the tyre-like valves in the engine bay.

Someone had to have their car recovered to Ford as could not get it to start!
 
I got mine changed for £27inc at the ford garage during a service, I know it's not what your asking but it's a lot of work yourself for such a small ammount of money for somebody else to do it :)
 
When i had my diesel Focus all i did was fill the new filter with diesel and kept turning the engine over until she fired. Took quite a few turns to bleed the air through the injectors but she fired on a couple of cylinders and the engine caught. Took around 30 seconds to get all the cylinders firing.
 
I assume it has no "hand" priming "bulb"? You could always "fill" the filter with diesel before filling? Obviously this will still leave some air in the system, but should negate it enough to get it to fire.

How's the MK4 treating you now you've had it for a while?
 
Providing you fill the filter up with diesel prior to fitting it, it should start without too much trouble.

If you put an empty filter on you'll probably ruin the starter motor or flywheel before you get it going.

Ford have a special tool, but its really only a rubber primer bulb with a bit of tube and fittings attached - it clips between the output port of the filter and the fuel line, pull the fuel through and clip the line back on.
 
Freedom said:
I got mine changed for £27inc at the ford garage during a service, I know it's not what your asking but it's a lot of work yourself for such a small ammount of money for somebody else to do it :)
Click to expand...
I doubt Ford would charge £27 just for Fuel filter change as I will be DIY'ing the other items.

The next service, at 125k will be done at Ford as it's also cambelt time so I could skip the fuel filter until then. I've no idea what the schedule is on this though. Ford ETIS site tells me to change it. Maybe I should get a big syringe and use it to fill the filter?
 
I've just done one on a 2005 Mondeo TDCI, filled it with diesel prior to fitting and started on first turn.
 
Cant comment on your car, but done my old golf tips is fill filter container with diesel, if you have problems getting it through there is usually a small nut you can undo under the bonnet which will release some air and pull the fuel through but be careful as it can come off and fuel starts spitting out
 
Thanks again chaps, any idea where I can get a massive syringe or recommend something similar to use for filling the filter housing with?
 
Just spin on the new filter empty, crack open the bleed screw, depress bulb until you get fuel co
Ing out of the hole, do up the bleed screw, depress bulb until hard, crank the engine over a short while, if it starts REV IT, if it doesn't, go back to the bulb and press until hard again.
Cranking it the second time and it should fire up no problems.
****ing about with easy start and syringes is not nessesary
 
Slightly different I know, however my 52 plate 2.0tdci mondeo is simply take old filter out, put new one in, turn key about 5 times, job done. My sister in laws 06 mondeo needed to be primed, so they differ between themselves.
 
I never bled the fuel systems on the trucks when I did the diesel filter, just unscrewed the old one, got the new one filled it with diesel and screwed it on, never had any problems.
 
If you do fill the filter before fitting, never use diesel out of the old filter, I see people all the time use the old filter to fill the new and its very bad practice, the filter acts as a water trap and what your pouring into the new filter is the worst the filter has collected over the years.
 
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