Quick 05 TDI 90 fuel filter question

TAABVW

A2OC Donor
I've got my TDI90 rescue back together and driving again. It stutters badly at mid and higher revs so I suspect the fuel filter. I have read on here about breaking off the bleed screw being very likely. My question is: Is there any requirement to touch the bleed screw at all? In other words, Is it possible to undo the bottom of the filter canister to replace the filter without touching the bleed screw?
 
Yes.

My filter bleed screw was already changed with some allen thread set screw and nut........ Didn't dare to tamper with it cause it's leak free and wanted to keep it like that (leak free that is).
Screwed the cap/bottom of, inserted new filter, new O ring and happy day's.
 
I've got my TDI90 rescue back together and driving again. It stutters badly at mid and higher revs so I suspect the fuel filter. I have read on here about breaking off the bleed screw being very likely. My question is: Is there any requirement to touch the bleed screw at all? In other words, Is it possible to undo the bottom of the filter canister to replace the filter without touching the bleed screw?

I manufacture an aluminium drain screw
Machines from aircraft grade aluminium bar
It’s a direct replacement for the plastic screw
And will never break
£23 plus £3 postage if you want one around 60members on here have bought one and everyone is delighted
PM me if you want one

Cheers. Paul


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Yes.

My filter bleed screw was already changed with some allen thread set screw and nut........ Didn't dare to tamper with it cause it's leak free and wanted to keep it like that (leak free that is).
Screwed the cap/bottom of, inserted new filter, new O ring and happy day's.
Thanks Menno, I think that is the answer I was hoping for. I was worried the bleed screw went a long way inside the filter and might have been part of securing the casing on. From your answer it seems this is not the case.

Trevor

I manufacture an aluminium drain screw
Machines from aircraft grade aluminium bar
It’s a direct replacement for the plastic screw
And will never break
£23 plus £3 postage if you want one around 60members on here have bought one and everyone is delighted
PM me if you want one

Cheers. Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi Paul. I've been around on this forum for long enough to know exactly who/where I am going to if I snapped the bleed screw but obviously I was trying to avoid this. Big swerve but could you post or direct me to a photo of your wiper cover?

Thanks

Trevor
 
Quick update.

I successfully changed the fuel filter. The fuel was very black and sludgy on the dirty side of the filter, no wonder it hesitated a bit. It looks like this might have been its first fuel filter change at 132k miles. Does anyone know if it is possible for a TDI fuel filter to last 132k miles???

I did not touch the original plastic bleed screw so Paul's services will not be required on this occasion (thanks). To avoid clamping the fuel pipes and possibly damaging them I disconnected the fuel lines at the top of the tank to prevent the tank emptying on filter removal. I unscrewed the bottom of the filter on the tabs using a pair of adjustable pliers. Used vacuum pump on fuel return line in engine bay to suck out the inevitable air.

All good thanks.

Trevor
 
The screws that hold the heatshield in are very easy to damage, when I did my car last year most of these had been swapped for self tapers, and the filter was filthy.

So I guess that was my 2nd or 3rd at 175K.
If your screws and heatshield looked untouched then yes, that may have been the original.
 
Good point, yes the screws and heat shield did look untouched. And yes two of the studs snapped off on removal. I've just zip tied up the heat shield for now. So one for the record in case anyone is interested. Depending on the quality of the fuel it is possible for a fuel filter on a TDI 90 to last well over 100k miles though it probably doesn't do the tandem pump too much good sucking against the resistance.
 
The filter could have been in a here since car was new. As long as fuel in sufficient volume can be sucked from the tank by the tandem pump then the engine will run
However the tandem pump will have a progressively harder job to get fuel and the filters ability to remove dirt will gradually get worse
It’s not unheard of on the A2 because it is out of sight and out of mind
Most vag cars have the filter in the engine bay and as a result I have heard of mechanics believing there is no fuel filter on a A2

The bleed screw to give it is correct name is there to bleed any water out of the fuel system and should be done every 6 months
If your screw is none operational then you cannot do this fuel/water drain which is bad news for the injection and tandem pump

Cheers
Paul


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Fair enough Mark, you can only say what you see and I respect that. Personally never had an issue with Paul (Depronman) and seen many happy customers.

I didn't need the drain screw in the end as I just removed the bottom of the filter with pliers. I used to drain the bottom of the fuel filter off years ago but never got more than a teaspoon of water out so I don't bother anymore.

T
 
@Mark B please send a pm to @depronman regarding this issue.
I've never did any business with depronman, but if I'm correct he's a long time runner on this forum. For sure there's reason and solution.
Be careful that people are being placed in a bad spot, before you know it they're banned and valuable help and info is disappeared for A2 owners.

Cheers, Menno.
 
I manufacture an aluminium drain screw
Machines from aircraft grade aluminium bar
It’s a direct replacement for the plastic screw
And will never break
£23 plus £3 postage if you want one around 60members on here have bought one and everyone is delighted
PM me if you want one

Cheers. Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They really are excellent highly recommended


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
@Mark B please send a pm to @depronman regarding this issue.
I've never did any business with depronman, but if I'm correct he's a long time runner on this forum. For sure there's reason and solution.
Be careful that people are being placed in a bad spot, before you know it they're banned and valuable help and info is disappeared for A2 owners.

Cheers, Menno.

I have apologised to depronman because I over reacted. It would seem that the fault lies with Royal Mail and not Paul (I really should have known better than to trust RM). I have no reason to doubt Paul's craftmanship and integrity.
 
My fuel filter came off last year and the state of the filter suggests it was the original one. 220,000 miles. I didn’t have any noticeable fuel starvation issues.

I have one of Paul’s screws even though my filter type doesn’t need it because the filter screw was such a huge issue that everyone was having that I figured it would be good for a FUTURE car.




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