I changed the fuel filter last weekend on the Wife's CRD and we've been having problems with air in the fuel. It appears that (from remote phone diagnositics) that the drain tap is leaking... I've asked her to put the vehicle in the garage with a pot under the filter to gauge the severity of the leak.

Did I just screw up (or rather not screw up enough) the drain valve, or is there another issue that can cause this problem? Has anyone had a 'duff' filter...

I had previously explained about bleeding the air, which she did this morning with engine running... I assume that this has pulled a whole load of air into the system. Is it likely that this has caused any more (permanent) problems?

Simon.

There is a rubber gasket on top of the fuel filter, one time it stayed on the filter head when I changed the filter and did not notice it.

There was only the two fixed/concetric gaskets on the filter removed and new filter. Should there have been another? If so where should it be seated when positioning the new filter....

Do I assume that this 3rd gasket could have damaged by not fitting properly?
Simon.

What your calling a drain is actually a water in fuel sensor on our CRD's and the filter comes with a regular drain plug so you swap them. At least thats how my spare NAPA/WIX fuel filter is and the seal for the drain/sensor is the plastic threaded part that's part of the filter and the drain plug has no seal. Unless he Chrysler filter is different??

You've indicated both the new and removed filters had 2 gaskets each and that's good. As click23 indicated it's very common for one fom the old filter to say on the filter head and cause leaks.

Did you replace the fuel filter because of air in the fuel problems or has that started since you replaced the filter?

Did you pull the fuel heater plug and check for fuel seepage when you replace the filter? The heater plug can melt and start leaking both fuel and air.

_________________
Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

These problems are only occuring after a 'routine' service... just the first time I've done it...



Didn't look before, will check this out. We are in a cold enviroment (-36'C yesterday morning), so it seems likely that the fuel heater is/was running.

Thanks.
Simon.

More information.... After being parked up for a while the dripping stopped, with not much being leaked. When the air bleed was opened, the dripping restarted, so I guess this means that either:
1). Water in fuel sensor is not screwed in properly.
2). Water in fuel sensor is cracked/broken.
3). Replacement filter was somehow faulty.

I assume that there is no issue running the filter with original drain tap (rather than the sensor) apart for the potential for a CEL. Looks like the Libby is parked up for the week until I can get to it at the weekend.
Simon.

I don't understand. Is the fuel leaking from the bottom of the filter or is it leaking from the little metal nipple on the drivers side of the filter head?

Did you unplug the wire from the bottom of the old filter before you unscrewed it? Did you rip it out by mistake? You said that it was the first time you did it.

_________________
2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

Allegedly leaking from the bottom of the filter.... Jeep is 200km away, "resting" in the garage.

I have a new filter in hand for the weekend, but the sensor is 1week lead item so if that's faulty I'll leave the 'white drain value' in place for the time being or just glue the faulty sensor in place (both items would be trash at the next service anyhow).

One question is whether there should be a gasket between filter and WIF sensor? Memory tells me there wasn't, but I'll confirm at the weekend.

Yes sensor was unplugged first, had to unbolt the pump head from the chassis to do this as the release tab was right up against cable loom.
Simon.

Don't know if you could say that I'm happy, but I am relieved that I worked out what was wrong. Long story short... I screwed up.

When I re-primed the filter this morning it started leaking from the bottom of the filter/WIF sensor (even without opening the bleed screw). So I removed the filter and checked the sensor to find the gasket missing... Where's the missing gasket?

In the garbage with the old filter/white drain valve.


Seems perfectly logical that this is the cause of all my problems. Maybe worth adding a note to the newbie guide so others don't get caught out.
Simon.

Glad you found and it wasn't a serious fail - it's nice to have an easy fix.

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2005 CRD
stuff
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