Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
Post 07 Fuel filter question
I'm just about to change my fuel filter but it looks like the water sensor and drain pipe are missing from the old one. Does any one know if this is correct or do I need to obtain the bits from the dealer? The engine runs fine but I do get water in fuel messages occasionally...
28th Dec 2013 1:55 pm
Adigorn
Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 546
There should be a sensor
someone has obviously replaced it (possibly because your intermittent message)
If you are getting a message fro time to time means there is a short wire in filter housing (common fault)
and fitting just a sensor is not going to fix it
28th Dec 2013 2:00 pm
Airbus321
Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
Thanks for the quick reply! Would it be OK to just swap the filters and carry on as before? If so, do I need to use any of the new rubber O rings that come with the new filter? I'm guessing it will work like the drain on the early type filters.
Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
So, I fitted the new filter and it was fine. This is how I did it:
Low range, off-road height, up on ramps, PARK, Hand brake ON, chocks under back wheels.
28th Dec 2013 7:17 pm
Airbus321
Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
oops, pressed submit too soon
Removed gearbox undertray - not heavy as it's plastic.
28th Dec 2013 7:19 pm
Airbus321
Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
Removed heat shield in front of filter
Unscrewed filter 90 degrees - a bit rusty after 41,000 miles
Drained out the fuel - not too much debris and no water at all
Put it all back together and bled the system - ignition on for 30 secs and off again, about 3 or 4 times. Started engine, checked for leaks, let it idle for a couple of mins. Replaced the heat shield and transmission cover, took her for a test drive. All pretty easy if anyone else wants to do their own.
Thanks to all the posters for your help! Oh yes, nearly forgot - didn't use 2 stroke on last fill as I want to do the MOT on raw fuel and absolutely no trace of any 'red', as you can see!
28th Dec 2013 7:28 pm
tomtom86
Member Since: 09 Mar 2013
Location: Here and there
Posts: 590
You are a braver man than I working under a d3 supported only by those flimsy ramps, always best to use decent axle stands too :
We'll done on the filter change though
Member Since: 15 Oct 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 16
The ramps are about 25 years old now and were bought when I first started working on Minis! They must have saved me thousands in garage bills over the years so yes, it's probably time to upgrade to a more solid set and also some decent axle stands. Santa did bring an orange and black coloured voucher so I'll see what they have to offer and will also search the site for other people's advice.
And yes, they are slightly bent but not from yesterday - they were like it before...!
29th Dec 2013 1:04 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Think this post might save me a load of hassle. I've just broken my water sensor, so seeing these without the sensor in should do the trick temporarily. Bodsys Brake Bible
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