I did my first oil change yesterday. I am in the habit of filling the new oil filter - even in horizontal applications like the CRD. The CRD filter refused to accept any oil. A little splash in the top that didn't go anywhere. Anybody know what is up with this? I really didn't like the six seconds at startup with the oil pressure light on.

Not so much worried. Just have never seen an oil filter refuse to soak up oil. Was wondering if there is some sort of valve down in there that interfered? Maybe the micron rating is really fine?

Yes, there is a valve in the center of the filter that prevents you from prefilling. I believe - but could be wrong - that the WIX filter does not have this feature. I know that the OEM, STP, and Purolator has it.

What is the chance that the small amount unfiltered fuel getting to the Common Rail pump or injectors will cause damage?

Some oil filter info:

The CRD uses the same filter as the Focus (Zetec DOHC).

Purolator L25230/Fram PH8316/Wix 51315/Motorcraft FL2005. These filters have the 2nd no-spill valve to make removal less messy for better filter recycling.

I wonder if Wix made a catalog mistake by recommending the 51516, which is the more common Ford filter size(PH3600/FL400s/PL20195). These can be prefilled prior to use.

I would think you would be surprised at how long it takes to use that "little" bit of fuel in the fuel filter. When you change the fuel filter, plug the big center hole and fill the filter slowly. This allows no unfiltered fuel to reach your injectors and eliminates priming with the pump. Or you could just put it on empty and start pumping.

With filling the fuel filter, I wonder if the transfer pump in the tank will prime the filter if you open the bleeder nipple and turn the key to on.

You would think so, but I didn't think we had the lift pump in the tank. Thought I read somewhere we didn't, I could be wrong though.

Nope, you're right, no pump in the tank. Low pressure lift pump and high pressure injection pump are built inside a common housing, mounted on drivers side at front of engine, driven off timing belt if I remember correctly.

Lift pump has to suck fuel all the way from the tank, up thru the fuel filter, and then another couple feet up to itself at the engine. Get an air leak anywhere between the fuel tank and the pump, and you're not going anywhere. IMHO, a sucky (pun intended) design, only benefit is it saved them the cost of a separate pump.

Oh, this is going to be entertaining. This is the same way a bus is plumbed. They pull fuel from 30 ft. away but have stainless steel lines, a check valve near the filter and use steel braid reinforced flex hoses to keep them from imploding. That cheap fuel line won't hold it's shape under vaccume. I see another mod sometime in the future.

I was thinking the same thing and wondering how much non solid fuel line is being used. Older VW's had IP pulling vacuum from their tanks through plastic lines with rubber hose connectors without problems.

I imagine if the boots are short enough it shouldn't be an issue for most. The line that concerns me the most goes from the filter to the pump. That is relatively long on snakes around a bit. I could see this being an easy impolde if the filter starts to plug. It's also the one that implodes on a Detroit in buses. Starve that pump, it will get expensive. There aren't enough pages in this forum to go into the priming issues I've seen with systems of this type over the years. Just have to take them as they come.

Well the driver from the Jeep dealer is just arrived, got to go & get mine back.

Hey here is an idea see about getting a replacement line that would be better, you have the skill and/or contacts to get it done correct?