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Changing fuel filter leaky woes
#1
So I am trying to do some routine servicing on my D including new filters and oil.
As my main fuel filter does not appear to have been replaced in a few years I thought I would tackle that first.

It's in a hard-to-reach area and was stuck hard to the rigid fuel line but with a couple of attempts and skinned knuckles I was finally able to remove it, the bracket and finally unscrew the line coming out the top -Getting sprayed with a trickle of fuel at the same time!


Once out I re-used and fitted the bottom hard-line elbow and securing bracket, with new rubber strip to it to the new filter purchased from deloreango.


Re-fitting I connected the top hose with two new brass washers, replacing what was there before, loosely fitted the filter and bracket back to the frame and then with a bit of PTF tape around the bottom connector screwed in the hard line.

Now I have tried this 3 times, making everything as tight as possible, but when I start her up and check for drips I have fuel pissing out from the top and bottom connectors.
I managed to get the bottom one to almost completely stop but the top connector continues to leak. I've tried with a different combination of washers etc but still it leaks.
WHY IS THIS SO HARD!

Frustrated I tried today to do an oil change, something I have done before in the past. Unfortuenelty my oil drain plug must have got a bit mangled up the last time I did it and the tool I used before no longer fits. After trying to fashion various other tools to budge it I have had to give up.  I have a new plug from deloreango that takes a simple spanner fitting but need to get this one out first.

So much for tackling the 'simple' service tasks.

Anyway, just wanted to vent. I will try again once the smell of petrol, oil and frustration goes away! Rolleyes

S
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
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#2
What model fuel filter did you buy?

There's well renowned "Don't buy this for the life of your sanity! DO NOT GO HERE!" ones and "This is perfect! what a relief! GO HERE!" ones.

One of the latter ones is a well tested and proven MAHLE: KL204
Rissy
(Forum Member 288)
(DOC Member 663)

May 1981 vin#1458 "LEX"
Grey, Flapped, Black
Chassis: #1073
Engine: #2839

Main Car(s):
2005 BMW M3 in Velvet Blue
2010 Honda Civic Type R in Sapphire Blue (1 of 115 made)
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#3
I understand you shouldn't use any sort of 'sealing aids' as it can bung things up in the metering head / Injectors.

I know they are a pig to get at ..even on a lift.

Speaking drain bungs....I had to weld a large nut on one of mine to get it off! a right horrible job .
Chris Parnham

Ex RHD Auto's etc.etc

Main Car.. Kia E Niro 4+
Skoda Yetil 4X4.
Toyota Vitz 4X4 1999 (the smallest 4X4 by far!.
1970 Jago Jeep.

DOC Club Historian 
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#4
Hi Rissy, it's this one: https://www.deloreango.com/uk/fuel-filter.html

They say you can use PTFE tape on the bottom fitting only to make a good seal, not that its made a lot of difference on mine!
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
Reply
#5
Quote:They say you can use PTFE tape on the bottom fitting only to make a good seal
But you shouldn't need to................ Can you get the car to mine so it's up on some higher ramps?
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
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#6
Not without pissing a trail of fuel all the way!
The last time it seemed to be mainly the top connector, and with that I was trying to tighten it to the dangling pipe whilst underneath the car. Maybe if I trace the pipe (back to the distributor?) and disconnect it there I can tighten the whole thing on a workbench?
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
Reply
#7
Quote:Maybe if I trace the pipe (back to the distributor?) and disconnect it there I can tighten the whole thing on a workbench
IIRC (though I have always changed mine to S/S ones) yes it is just one long pipe to the metering head. Though ideally you will need new copper washers to re-fit this pipe to the metering head. There is always a chance it may have had it's fittings changed from OE to the ones you have now on the top of the filter?
What make is the filter they sent you btw? I have one though not got around to fitting it yet.
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
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#8
Not sure will, will have to check next time I'm at the lockup.
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
Reply
#9
(15 Feb 2018, 15:35)TheScAtMaN Wrote: Hi Rissy, it's this one: https://www.deloreango.com/uk/fuel-filter.html

They say you can use PTFE tape on the bottom fitting only to make a good seal, not that its made a lot of difference on mine!

I'm sure you'll be fine with the filter Arran has sent you out. Those lads know like most people what to use and what not to use.

I'm trying to remember back now. I have a photo somewhere, but i'm not sure how much that would tell me of my fitting, but i'm almost certain i used PTFE on both my fuel filter AND my hardline fittings on my fuel accumulator after i took it off the car to replace the short hose sections from it. The difference though, is that I would have used liquid PTFE rather than tape. Much better in my opinion. I'm sure i would have actually; as the number of horror stories, a bit like yours, which i've heard, would probably have promoted that idea in my head to make sure i got it right first time, which i inevitably did, fortunately.

Like these guys say, you probably shouldn't have to use PTFE, but if you're careful with it, and don't contaminate your fuel lines to the distributor with it, then I see no harm. Just be careful. Like most things, common sense is half the battle.
Rissy
(Forum Member 288)
(DOC Member 663)

May 1981 vin#1458 "LEX"
Grey, Flapped, Black
Chassis: #1073
Engine: #2839

Main Car(s):
2005 BMW M3 in Velvet Blue
2010 Honda Civic Type R in Sapphire Blue (1 of 115 made)
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#10
Hmm. Will try and have a go again in the next few days.
If you find yourself with time on your hands Mr Williams you are welcome to come over and laugh at me! ;-)
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
Reply
#11
Quote:If you find yourself with time on your hands Mr Williams you are welcome to come over and laugh at me! ;-)
That is something I'm desperately lacking at the mo, but if you can limp it to me then happy to help even if it's just with the sump plug, I can get the car 4' off the ground so much easier to work on.... hang on I still need to do my own fuel filter, wonder if I will have the same issues as I have got the same one you have. Sad
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
Reply
#12
(16 Feb 2018, 19:13)Chris Williams Wrote:
Quote:If you find yourself with time on your hands Mr Williams you are welcome to come over and laugh at me! ;-)
That is something I'm desperately lacking at the mo, but if you can limp it to me then happy to help even if it's just with the sump plug, I can get the car 4' off the ground so much easier to work on.... hang on I still need to do my own fuel filter, wonder if I will have the same issues as I have got the same one you have. Sad

Hi
I posted this on the “other forum” that details how to get round the issue of the leaking bottom connector and no need for any PTFE tape.

The top connector isn’t normally an issue I thought.

http://www.deloreaneurotec.uk/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5570

Hope it helps.

Andy Smith
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#13
Thanks AndyS

I will give this a try. Do you remember where you got the M14x1.5 Die from?
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
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#14
(18 Feb 2018, 14:05)TheScAtMaN Wrote: Thanks AndyS

I will give this a try. Do you remember where you got the M14x1.5 Die from?

Ebay - cost about £6.50 if i remember correctly
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#15
I assume I will also need a holder for the die cutter.

Would this die:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connect-Worksho...dpSrc=srch

[/url]
And this holder work?
[url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-Diestock-Holder-1-1-2IN/dp/B0001IWU18/ref=pd_cp_60_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=1E5YRQC4DE0AQX8S4PN1&th=1]https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-Diestock-Holder-1-1-2IN/dp/B0001IWU18/ref=pd_cp_60_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=1E5YRQC4DE0AQX8S4PN1&th=1
Vin: 4468
DOC No: 758
www.theportlandarms.co.uk
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