Can't remove fuel filter from MK5 Golf TDI

JustAnotherSaver

I was going to change all the filters on my sisters car today as it was due. We're about a month overdue for some of them (fuel filter included).

I went at it today and just couldn't get the damn thing out. I've done it before, once, using a genuine VAG filter.

IIRC there's different filter housing on these so for any doubt then this is the one that looks like hers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz6whvncByw&t=

It has a screw in the centre of the lid. I actually didn't unscrew this as it was starting to round off so i just left it. Not sure if failing to unscrew it will contribute to this issue but i wouldn't have thought so.

Undid all the outer bolts, took the lid off, the canister was total full of diesel. I don't remember it being so full last time round but that was 2 years ago so maybe it was.

I tried pulling on it, no go. Wouldn't shift. I was pulling on it so much i ended up pulling the filter housing off its bracket, still wouldn't budge.

Pulling & levering i then managed to snap the bit at the top of the filter itself. I don't know how you'd describe it but it's a plastic ring that is sort of raised up from the filter itself. If you get me then fine if not then i can edit an image to show it.

So i put it all back together & gave up doing all the other filters instead.

Why would this be so bloody tight when it wasn't nearly as bad last time round?

More importantly, how on earth do you get the thing out, especially now that plastic part has snapped?

I've told her she'll likely have to get it booked in for a mechanic to do it but if i can still get it done then i'll try. As it's not my car i'm just weary of causing damage.

JustAnotherSaver

Was just thinking ... i've no idea how a mechanic would get this out but since the canister can be removed and the chamber itself isn't actually connected to anything then what about just going all in on the filter & beating the crap out of it? Pour the diesel out to be reused but then mash up the filter inside to try and somehow lever it out? Hammer a big flat head screwdriver in to it, push the plastic through to get a good grip on it? I don't know, i'm just throwing out wild ideas while i wait on a suggestion.

The_Rainmaker

Sounds like you are almost there already.  Double check how much the whole unit costs first before you go all in

Mercdriver

Ask one of the Freds.  He, sorry, they are experts at this...

JustAnotherSaver

The_Rainmaker said:

Sounds like you are almost there already.  Double check how much the whole unit costs first before you go all in

Are you saying that’s the approach you’d take?

yeah I saw, about £25. If it was my car i’d have just had at it anyway, but it’s not. 

Mercdriver said:

Ask one of the Freds.  He, sorry, they are experts at this...

Eh?

fred246

I've never done of these because mine aren't like that. That screw looks like it's there to locate the position for the four pipes? You need to know what it's there for. What does it screw into? The second hand filter housings on ebay don't seem to have it. I think you will have to take that screw out. You shouldn't have a problem if you use the correct torx bit. If it's wrecked you might get it out with mole grips tightly applied. If you have a new filter you should be able to work out what needs removing because you can safely destroy the old one. Flat blade screwdriver through the paper filter and lift it up or pull it upwards with pliers. Hopefully the lower plastic ring will come out with the paper. Don't panic. You can always get a new or second hand filter housing if that one is damaged. A mechanic would just put it back together and tell you he'd changed it or wouldn't have even attempted it but still charged you.

facade

The centre screw is a bleed screw, so probably helpful if you can move it when you come to restart the engine.

The filter cartridge is supposed to be tight, and you lever it up under the top flange of the cartridge as you have been doing, and it comes out before the flange breaks, maybe the aftermarket ones are even tighter

I can't suggest anything, except to take the housing off, empty the fuel out and butcher the cartridge out. (Or as suggested, screw the lid back on, hide the new cartridge and hope she gets rid before it blocks up  )

The_Rainmaker

JustAnotherSaver said:

The_Rainmaker said:

Sounds like you are almost there already.  Double check how much the whole unit costs first before you go all in

Are you saying that’s the approach you’d take?

Yes, the only difference being in the days of my youth I would have got in about and then worried about the consequences of a total SNAFU.  These days I would think twice and price up the cost if it all went Pete Tong.

An interesting discussion with my lorry mechanic when I arrived at his doorstep with the wagon and a new headlight.  He asked why I hadn't just done it myself.  I replied that I had taken the headlight out to do the job looked at the light looked at what was required and said ...........sod that.  He then muttered aye they can be a bit of a bu$$er.

red_eye

JustAnotherSaver said:

I was going to change all the filters on my sisters car today as it was due. We're about a month overdue for some of them (fuel filter included).

I went at it today and just couldn't get the damn thing out. I've done it before, once, using a genuine VAG filter.

IIRC there's different filter housing on these so for any doubt then this is the one that looks like hers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz6whvncByw&t=

It has a screw in the centre of the lid. I actually didn't unscrew this as it was starting to round off so i just left it. Not sure if failing to unscrew it will contribute to this issue but i wouldn't have thought so.

Undid all the outer bolts, took the lid off, the canister was total full of diesel. I don't remember it being so full last time round but that was 2 years ago so maybe it was.

I tried pulling on it, no go. Wouldn't shift. I was pulling on it so much i ended up pulling the filter housing off its bracket, still wouldn't budge.

Pulling & levering i then managed to snap the bit at the top of the filter itself. I don't know how you'd describe it but it's a plastic ring that is sort of raised up from the filter itself. If you get me then fine if not then i can edit an image to show it.

So i put it all back together & gave up doing all the other filters instead.

Why would this be so bloody tight when it wasn't nearly as bad last time round?

More importantly, how on earth do you get the thing out, especially now that plastic part has snapped?

I've told her she'll likely have to get it booked in for a mechanic to do it but if i can still get it done then i'll try. As it's not my car i'm just weary of causing damage.

Do not remove the center bolt just the outer ring, if you look there’s a little space for a screwdriver to pry the top off. Gently pry it you don’t want to bend it as it will leak. Little finger in the filter hole pull the filter out and turn it upside down to empty. Dunk the o ring in the fuel and it and drop the filter in and let it sink by itself. You can push it in but you’ll make a mess. Finger tight the bolts and nip up with tool. These have a pump in the tank so Should start right away you can prime it by turning the ing on until dash’s go out a few times.

JustAnotherSaver

I really think that either some people have:

1) misunderstood my post (probably most likely one)

2) Skim read my post and came to the wrong conclusion

3) Not read my post, gone off the thread title and answered that.

Allow me to have another bash at making the issue clearer...

First off, i am not having trouble getting the top of the fuel filter housing off as in the metal 'lid'.

I can separate 8 from 13 not a problem.

When i pull on the filter (11) it will not come out of 13 but by pulling on it it lifts 13 up and away from 15 (and off the car).

The bit that has broken off is the lip of 11 where the arrows are pointing so this is now no longer on the filter so basically it sits around 12 but no plastic lip on it at all any more.

4 as has been said is a bleed screw. The canisters (13) can vary. Some have the screw, some do not. Not that those without the screw just have an 'unbunged' hole, just the canister appears to be designed without the bleed screw in place. Maybe it's elsewhere on those canisters, i don't know, but the one i'm working on has the bleed screw as shown in the diagram.

Hope that makes things clearer because reading through the replies some people seem to have gotten what i was describing whereas others seem to not have.

red_eye

JustAnotherSaver said:

I really think that either some people have:

1) misunderstood my post (probably most likely one)

2) Skim read my post and came to the wrong conclusion

3) Not read my post, gone off the thread title and answered that.

Allow me to have another bash at making the issue clearer...

First off, i am not having trouble getting the top of the fuel filter housing off as in the metal 'lid'.

I can separate 8 from 13 not a problem.

When i pull on the filter (11) it will not come out of 13 but by pulling on it it lifts 13 up and away from 15 (and off the car).

The bit that has broken off is the lip of 11 where the arrows are pointing so this is now no longer on the filter so basically it sits around 12 but no plastic lip on it at all any more.

4 as has been said is a bleed screw. The canisters (13) can vary. Some have the screw, some do not. Not that those without the screw just have an 'unbunged' hole, just the canister appears to be designed without the bleed screw in place. Maybe it's elsewhere on those canisters, i don't know, but the one i'm working on has the bleed screw as shown in the diagram.

Hope that makes things clearer because reading through the replies some people seem to have gotten what i was describing whereas others seem to not have.

You put up the easy one.
ok for this you need to spin the filter to brake “the seal” oring at the top and bottom, pry the filter out two picks or screwdrivers will help eathernet side on the outer side of the filter Gently or it will break. To be frank these are a pita
If the plastic top has come off then you’ll have to pull the filter eliment and hope for the best if that comes away then you’ll have to use the picks to pull the plastic bottom. Clean all debris fit new filter, coat the O-Rings in fuel might help it come of in the future