Changing the Fuel Filter L300?

[nvanadm]

I'm going to attempt to change the fuel filter on my '93 L300 by myself for the first time. The only threads i've found haven't been that helpful (changing-the-fuel-filter-122.html, changed-fuel-filter-and-she-now-runs-like-crap-10659.html). Does anyone have a step-by-step guide out there anywhere or an old thread saved that I just haven't come across maybe?
We should really try to build a good DIY section on this site with step-by-step picture guides. If anyone has pictures to go along with changing the fuel filter that would be really appreciated as well!

Thanks!

Oh, and a list of tools needed/required would be helpful too.

[jessef]

undo the fuel line clamps and remove the fuel lines that go into the filter housing
unclip the electric connection on the bottom of the fuel filter
remove the two 12mm nuts that hold the fuel filter housing on the firewall
remove the entire unit out of the L300 *careful keeping it right side up as it's filled with diesel and will come out of the fuel lines
over a bowl/something to catch the diesel (about 3/4 liter), unscrew the bottom drain plug and let the diesel drain out
in a vise or clamp, undo the filter from the housing
take the new filter and lubricate the rubber oring at the top with diesel or oil and the supplied o-ring at the bottom. spin both on and repeat the above in reverse
if you can, fill the filter with clean diesel. will help with priming the system

[nvanadm]

Thanks Jesse,
Should I worry about air at all? Do I need to prime anything or do I just do it all in reverse and then fire it up?

[jessef]

you'll need to prime it

once the lines are back on, clamps are on and everything is good, remove the 10mm bleed bolt and pump until diesel comes out then put it back and tighten it down
pump a handful of times and then start. you may need to give it some gas to get the air out of the injectors and then drive away !

[sealica]

So I popped the fuel filter off my L300, but got hit by dark so I'm revisiting tomorrow.

The liquid which came out of my filter when I unscrewed the drain plug was blue; seemed kinda strange ad the diesel which leaked out when I tilted it slightly before getting it out of the engine bay was clear ... or so it seemed. I'm not too worried, but curious if anyone knows whats up?

I unhooked the electrical connection by unplugging a clip with about 10" of wire leading to the bottom of the fuel filter (where the drain plug is). I'm assuming you have to screw this white plastic bit off and put it on the new filter? what do you call this part if one needed to replace it in future?

Otherwise a pretty simple job, my fuel lines were held on by clamps loosened by 7mm bolt; another instance where a 1/4 inch ratched was indispensable. One of my fuel hoses has a small crack at the part attaching to the fuel filter assembly thing. Just wondering if replacing a hose is a big job? It's probably fine.

[Matt&Kim]

Make sure your upper filter housing is clear of gunk before reassembling. I had an issue recently with gunk getting trapped in the primer valve, leaving me unable to prime the fuel system! Not sure where it came from... maybe changing the filter more regularly would prevent the goo building up

[sealica]

Cool. I got it reassembled. The biggest challenge was actually dealing with the fuel hoses. The clamps (7mm bolt holding tension) were useless after being loosened enough to release the filter housing.

I used some regular hardware store plumbing hose clamps to reassemble which appears a common theme elsewhere in the engine. Unforunately some frustration was had prior to writing off the old clamps. Definitely adding these to the essentials when working on the van