406 HDI fuel filter renewal

[markj2210]

HI,

I'm new to this site and wondered if I get some advice.

I've just bought a 406 HDI 2.0 110bhp 53 plate. I bought a Haynes manual that lists service items so I thought i'd work through these because I can't be sure how often the car has been maintained.

I bought a new fuel filter element from Peugeot but when I came to fit it there was no drain screw on the front of the housing so I had to ring around and find out why. Turns out that mine has a Seimens filter housing which has the drain hole blanked off but underneath there is a toothed wheel that you unscrew to drain the fuel out. Anyway, I fitted it with no problems. (Thanks for tip on here about using an oil filter removal tool to get the filter housing cap off).

Problem is, before I found this site, I posted a question about how to change a fuel filter on another site and by the time I had read it I had already done it.

On the reply I got they said "DO NOT open the filter housing and change the filter element, go to your dealer and buy the whole housing". They said that by opening the fuel filter housing you risk £2500 of damage to a high power pump or something due to contamination (dirt).

Does anyone know if this is likely. The haynes manual says that the element should be changed every 24,000 miles?

Thanks for any advice

Mark

[jameslxdt]

i would always change the housing as its easier and contamination is highly likely, one micron of dirt is enough to upset the pump or injectors, the peugot guide to changing the filter element is about 5 pages long, as it requires 'decontamination' of the engine bay, extensive cleaning and other bizarre things such as changing overalls a few times,

[markj2210]

Thanks James

I didn't realise it was so clinical. I'm well scared now. Just got to hope its ok now.

If there is dirt in there will it start being sluggish or is there any test I can do?

Thanks

[mjb]

I think the main worry is that the pumps will die, causing you a massive repair bill.

[mbell666]

I've changed mine filter element a couple of times, mines still running.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[steve_earwig]

Out of interest, how much does the housing cost?

[mbell666]

~£50! the filter costs about £10!!

[Welly]

My mechanic pretty well refused to change mine because of this and said it had to be done in a sealed clean environment so I went to peugeot (who just boshed a new filter in the old housing) I didn't see any 'special' cleanliness through their reception/workshop rip-you-off viewing window though

I think the idea is not to get any dust and bits fall in there whilst you change it i.e. be very carefull. Loads of members here have changed filters without any trouble. I only got mine done at puggy land because it was in for other stuff too.

I think you will be ok.

[steve_earwig]

~£50! the filter costs about £10!!

Stuff that then. I'd reckon you run more risk of getting crap in it if you have to get the old housing off, sod about putting the new one on and then fit the new filter. Anyway, unless the new housing comes in a hermetically sealed container, you really should clean it first.

It's probably best not to change the filter when there's dust blowing about though. Or if you've got dandruff

[steve_earwig]

Oh yeah, when I got my new filter it came with plugs for the fuel lines, I thought they were a tad excessive but I thought I may as well play the game and used them anyway. Now I know why!

[markj2210]

Well the pugs still purring nicely so I must have got lucky. Might be a good idea to plug the fuel lines and clean the outside of the housing before I crack it open. And then be reeeeally careful.

Thanks for the info, its been enlgihtening.