We've had one or two reports on here of the bleed screw on the filter head wearing out and failing to seal when tightened down.

In my "mad plumber" research to rig up a more substantial vent valve, I came across a couple items yesterday at Autozone and Advance that could serve as emergency plugs, until the filter head can be replaced or repaired under warranty or the owner comes up with his own more permanent solution.

While at Autozone looking for small hoses clamps, I happened to glance over the generic radiator drain cocks on the next row up. One immediately caught my eye, as it's labeling said "Nissan/Mazda - M10 X 1.25 MM" - same thread as the bleed screw on the filter head.

I got one and when I got home, tried it on the spare filter assembly I now have. It fits perfectly, short enough that it doesn't bottom out in the vent port, and a thick rubber gasket that seals well against the filter head with good compression.

The part is made by Dorman, carried at Autozone and Advance. P/N 61124 , Radiator Drain Cock, Nissan/Mazda M10 X 1.25 MM, Applications Nissan/Mazda 1972 & Up.

Came across another at Advance, made by same company. P/N 61114, Radiator Drain Cock, Subaru M10 X 1.25 MM, Applications Subaru 1980 & Up. I tried one of these as well, and while it threads easily into the vent port, it would require modification, sawing off part of the threaded length to make it short enough to seal against the filter head.

While I wouldn't recommemd these as a permanent solution - they're made of some type of plastic, and I don't know how well they'll hold up long term against diesel fuel - as an emergency or stop gap measure to keep the vehicle running until you can do a proper repair, they should work adequately.

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

Awesome tip!

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

So what wears out, the nipple, or the threads in the head unit?

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?

Great idea! My "just in case of breakdown" arsenal is getting larger and larger, it used to fit in the net in the back but it's getting too big!

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2006 CRD Limited
V6 Air Filter Box Mod with Amsoil EaA-201 Air Filter
Mann Provent CCV Filter
Magnaflow Muffler
Mopar Skids
Mobil 1 5W40
Fumoto Oil Drain Valve
Amsoil Throughout

It's the angled tip and it's matching seating surface inside the filter head that wears out. It's a metal to metal seal, the two surfaces rubbing against each other, and with the relatively soft metals the bleed screw and filter head are made of, with repeated use the two surfaces can wear to the point they no longer seal.

That's why, as a more permanent fix, I've made an adapter that will screw into the port with an o-ring or gasket seal, so that I can then add a small valve that is designed for repeated use.

_________________
Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler