Can't remove fuel filter from MK5 Golf TDI

red_eye

Don’t remove the bleed screw your don’t need to 

452

fred246 said:

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.

If mechanics never change them and there's not 1000's broken down at the side of the road then it makes you wonder why the owners bother. 

JustAnotherSaver

red_eye said:

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 

Which O ring at the top needs breaking? The plastic one that i've already broken? Because if you mean the rubber seal then that's on the lid that comes away from the canister.

There's very little room down the sides of the canister between the filter itself and the metal canister. I used a small screwdriver and even that didn't get down there much.

You say it's a PITA. The last/first time i did it it wasn't that bad actually. I don't recall it giving me any trouble when i did it but this time round, yeah it's a PITA.

Not quite sure how i can pull the filter element as now the plastic thing has broken off there's nothing really to grip, which is why i suggested just butchering the damn thing and then wiping the inside of the canister out. I've some old rubber gloves which may be better than the latex gloves i was using that just went to crap the instant diesel touched them.

452

If the whole of the plastic top has come off I'd use a pick in either side and it should come out. If the plastic top is still there drill it at each side and push a pick through on either side. 

esmerobbo

I have in the past screwed two self tappers into the plastic top and then used levers to gentle pry the filter out. Once you get it up a bit if you twist as you pull they normally come out. 

red_eye

JustAnotherSaver said:

red_eye said:

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 

Which O ring at the top needs breaking? The plastic one that i've already broken? Because if you mean the rubber seal then that's on the lid that comes away from the canister.

There's very little room down the sides of the canister between the filter itself and the metal canister. I used a small screwdriver and even that didn't get down there much.

You say it's a PITA. The last/first time i did it it wasn't that bad actually. I don't recall it giving me any trouble when i did it but this time round, yeah it's a PITA.

Not quite sure how i can pull the filter element as now the plastic thing has broken off there's nothing really to grip, which is why i suggested just butchering the damn thing and then wiping the inside of the canister out. I've some old rubber gloves which may be better than the latex gloves i was using that just went to crap the instant diesel touched them.

There’s should be two at each end it will be inside. Out of all the ones I have done only a few have given me more trouble the twist and pull. I have had one where the like yours the top broke but also the filter eliment I had to use picks you pull the bottom out. Try and twist the filter to brake the seal on the bottom once it starts to spin pull and twist.

good luck your past the point of no return I feel for you🥺 

for gloves you want nitrile 

JustAnotherSaver

This pulling the bottom out thing makes me curious. I feel like it’s one of those lateral thinking puzzles. Pulling the bottom out when you can only access the top. 

I may do as has been mentioned, screw a couple self rappers in there and then use this to twist and pull on, hopefully it’ll come out then. 
Failing that, just mash the crap out of it. 

DoaM

JustAnotherSaver said:

a couple self rappers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuBnN1IOdDE ???

Sorry - couldn't resist.

452

JustAnotherSaver said:

Failing that, just mash the crap out of it. 

I bet that's how Fred does it. 

JustAnotherSaver

DoaM said:

JustAnotherSaver said:

a couple self rappers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuBnN1IOdDE ???

Sorry - couldn't resist.

Seriously, I actually give up autocorrecting the autocorrect on my phone. If i went back and redid what it 'corrected' i'd be there all day. On my phone it'll randomly double up on words. So if i say something like the cat sat on the mat ... not a problem on the PC as i am now but if it's on my phone it'll do something stupid like the cat cat sat on the mat. Very annoying.

Anyway i got a hook like thing and was able to pull it out but it wasn't half stuck! Filled up a jerry can after work as i figured i'd have to pour the old diesel out anyway else i'd splash myself.

Poured the old stuff which was jet black. Hooked the cartridge which really struggled coming out. Cleaned the inside of the canister out so it was shiny instead of black.

the new cartridge struggled going back over the centre piece thing so no wonder it wouldn't come out - it's such a tight fit.