Changing Fuel Filters

[akopac]

<div>Along the same line as Alan's message, when the fuel filter
that's located on the engine gets changed, does the fuel line
have to be bled?Eric
</div>

 

[don]

Eric-- Yes, mine does. (I have a Yanmar 3JH.) And I think any engine would. You're putting a big air void in the line when you install a new filter. And I have read that, unlike a remote filter, your engine mounted filter should not be pre-filled, because any contamination in the fuel you pour into it will go directly into the engine.

 

[dgh462]

This may sound a bit rediculous, but I do it this way: First I start the engine, let it warm up a bit then shut it down. Before I remove the old engine mounted filter I first use a pair of vise grips to squeeze shut the fuel line hose at a position about two inches before it goes into the filter. I then disconnect the fuel line, remove the old filter, completely fill the new filter with clean fuel and install it, reconnect the fuel line, remove vise grips, start the engine, fast idle it (reason for first warming engine) so any small air bubbles will pass through without stalling the engine. So far, this has worked without having to bleed the fuel lines.