Fuel filter. Not seen this type before?

[MrBen]

Hello all. Anybody seen this type of filter before? There is no drain off screw at the bottom? How would you get rid of any Trapped water? Seems a bit pointless, all previous vehicles I have had, had the drain off type filter.... chaps

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Hello Mr Ben!

I suspect itââ,¬â,,¢s a cheapo filter which doesnââ,¬â,,¢t have the drain part, in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

Nobody really uses the drain thing anyway.

I for one just replace the filter. Theyââ,¬â,,¢re cheap as chips and then you know everything is in tip top condition.

You can get them from Euros for about Ã,£7 I think. I usually use the Bosch ones.

[brianh]

Looks like one of these to me
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fuel-Filter-Valve-Bleed-Diesel-For-Ford-Galaxy-Sharan-Alhambra-1-9tdi-2000-On/264489432986

If they are cheapskate enough to not have a drain when the proper one does, would you really trust the filters effectiveness? I've seen how bad some of the off-brand ones on ECP are compared to Bosch/Mann etc for oil, and I don't trust them anymore. Particually ones where they are brands like crosland which is a brand they purchased that used to have quite a respected reputation, and is now used to badge their own products instead. Given the cost if it doesn't do its job (diesel pump or injectors potentially) I'd replace it with one of the better ones available personally.

Is there nothing stamped or printed onto it to identify it?

[SirDavidAlhambra]

This has got me wondering, how important is it to use that little drain tap periodically?

Also how does one drain it, just twist the big blue screw thing and let it run for a bit?

Does a lot of water typically build up in these things?

Thank you very much.

[johnnyroper]

Water in fuel not really an issue these days like it used to be, in fact thereââ,¬â,,¢s not many filters that have water drain tap. Not that they ever get used anyway. Beemer and Audi fit fuel filters under the body like old type petrol filters were so for joe public draining wouldnââ,¬â,,¢t be an option anyway unless they want to jack it up and remove about 20 screws to drop belly panels off.

Back in the day when I was in the trade on Peugeot if it wasnââ,¬â,,¢t a fuel filter replace service then it had water drain on service sheet instead. Bet that doesnââ,¬â,,¢t crop up on any manufacturers service schedule these days.

[brianh]

Depends how contaminated your diesel is. Which you generally can't tell until you have a problem. Like it freezing as the filter is full of water for example. But I'd be more concerned with not using crappy fuel rather than draining the water out if that was the case.

I think its in the service schedule to drain it (Don't have the diesel myself so not sure how often offhand). If your buying fuel from reputable well maintained stations it shouldn't be an issue. If your filling out of jerry cans or stations where the diesel isn't turned over quickly or is stored in leaky tanks, maybe it would be an issue. At least the Galaxy/Alhambara has a proper fuel cap, newer ones have largely dispensed with the cap, using a door and flap in some cases that you open by sticking the nozzle into it.

[MrBen]

Yes maybe that is the case then, not much water in fuel nowadays, so why have a drain screw which could develop a fault,  and let air in. It was just strange as its the first time I have seen a filter without. I used to drain every couple of months, as taught by the garage I worked at when I was a young man. Seems a lifetime ago now.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Thank you all. I always fill up with Shell Nitro+ quality fuel so I imagine itââ,¬â,,¢s not worth draining the fuel filter. Also I change the fuel filter every year, maximum of 2 years at most. The little o-ring on the return valve seems to be more of an issue, I donââ,¬â,,¢t think the garages ever replace that even though it seems to be quite an important service item.