Fiat Ducato Fuel Filter Failure

[Dorset Diver]

Just had an expensive and really irritating failure on our Autotrail / Fiat Ducato 130 Multijet. I had travelled about 200 miles in one hit and just before the end of the journey diesel started pouring from the fuel filter. The fault seemed to be a pipe that had become partly detached as refitting it appeared to cure the leak. In fact it held for the next 180 miles then the leak started again with a vengeance. This time it would appear that the housing is cracked. Currently the MH is at a garage where every one of the mechanics seemed to know that this is an ongoing problem / defect with these units. I am expecting quite a large bill to add to the cost of fuel lost and the need to give our wagon a good clean. Why do motor manufactures not recall, rectify the mistakes they make?

 

[Rayb182]

Cost us £250 in Montrose, with the same problem last year

 

[Techno]

Complete filter housing is £65 delivered on ebay, Do not be stiffed by the garage.
I would hazard a guess that it has recently been serviced?

 

[pappajohn]

Why do motor manufactures not recall, rectify the mistakes they make?

You have to get them to admit to a fault first......took a few years with the reversing judder issue.

 

[Techno]

There are only two trains of thought with UFI filter units.
One is the mechanic who just says it is rubbish.
Two is the anyone else who uses the correct service tool and tightening torque.

Interweb is full of tales of woe but very few incidents of leaks where the correct procedure was followed. Many on here bought their own service tool (£16.50) and avoid having it done for money.
Best option is never to replace the filter element but fit a complete new unit at £65
Dealer price times by four

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[Techno]

Bulletin service tool document
http://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/ADK85502.pdf

Blue Print’s Fuel Filter Removal Tool, ADK85502, is an OE developed tool that makes replacement of the fuel filter element on vehicles fitted with the JTD type engine a much quicker and easier job and, most importantly, greatly reduces the risk of damage to the intricate and expensive plastic filter housing or fastening ring.

 

[Rayb182]

We had the van serviced prior to going to Scotland, when came home went to the garage and said about the filter, the guy shrugged his shoulders and said "common fault", needless to say we haven't taken in back to that garage and now service the van myself.

 

[Dorset Diver]

It had not been recently serviced. You are not the only one to think that. In fact it had done a good 7000 miles since the last service. Not sure if the ebay offerings are of good quality but I suppose that they could not be worse than the original

 

[Techno]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330211348507?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

7000 is a new one on me, many go within 3k
At todays prices I carry a spare

 

[Dorset Diver]

Now the good news. I left the MH with a local tyre supplier / garage and all of the mechanics seemed to well aware of the problem. I was also assured that they had the appropriate tool with which to undo and tighten the filter housing. That was Friday today I went to see how they were getting on. The van was in their large garage in a vacant bay looking good. It had been fixed. MOT’d and much to my surprise it had been washed from top to bottom. My thoughts turned to the bill – just how much was this service going to cost? Well the surprise was £99.44 including VAT. This is the second time I have used this garage and it will not be the last. I will however be getting a spare unit just in case this one blows again.

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[Gorse Hill]

Complete filter housing is £65 delivered on ebay, Do not be stiffed by the garage.
I would hazard a guess that it has recently been serviced?

Hi techno is this a problem on recent models of the ducato couple of years old
Thks for any info

 

[Techno]

No the later models have a steel canister I believe

 

[B-well]

My 1995 Hymer has steel filter housing i think they changed to plastic approx 2002.

 

[Lenny HB]

Newer or a new Fiat replacement no longer suffer from the problem, I think the new one has an aluminum casing.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Is it possible to easily retro fit the newer filter housing?

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[Techno]

No

 

[injebreck99]

I was told by a Fiat dealer that they are not interchangeable.

 

[Dorset Diver]

An update and request.

Having complained to DVSA I now have a meeting with FIAT possibly with a DVSA rep present, for my vehicle to be examined. Leaking fuel filters seem to be quite a problem and a risk to life and limbs so I would like to get this message across to both Fiat and DVSA loud and clear. If you have first hand evidence of this problem and you are will to share please send me brief factual details to add weight to my efforts. Pictures and video would be a really good bonus.

 

[berni109]

Hi where did u get the spanner kit from for such a good price?
Cheapest I could find was on Amazon

 

[Techno]

How much was that?

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[Larby]

Now the good news. I left the MH with a local tyre supplier / garage and all of the mechanics seemed to well aware of the problem. I was also assured that they had the appropriate tool with which to undo and tighten the filter housing. That was Friday today I went to see how they were getting on. The van was in their large garage in a vacant bay looking good. It had been fixed. MOT’d and much to my surprise it had been washed from top to bottom. My thoughts turned to the bill – just how much was this service going to cost? Well the surprise was £99.44 including VAT. This is the second time I have used this garage and it will not be the last. I will however be getting a spare unit just in case this one blows again.

I'm sure that garage deserves a plug, tell the world..............
Not all garages are rip-off merchants.

 

[dave newell]

I had a few instances of these filters leaking after service so I bought the proper tool and have not had a single one reported to me as leaking since then. To my mind this means it is not a design fault but the fault of service personnel not being aware of/using the appropriate equipment.

D.

 

[Techno]

Agreed Dave and Fiat etal have only moved away from these filter units because they have no control over how "mechanics" do the job and have reverted to a throw away canister that ought to be "idiot" proof.

 

[berni109]

techno the one that matches the reference number is 36 and one that looks the same is 25

 

[dave newell]

Agreed Dave and Fiat etal have only moved away from these filter units because they have no control over how "mechanics" do the job and have reverted to a throw away canister that ought to be "idiot" proof.

Agreed Andy, the new canister filter is horribly expensive to boot!

D.

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[Techno]

£16.50
Broken Link Removed

 

[Lee Fryer]

Hi Andy
Do you know if the 2.0l jdt engine use this filter.
Lee.

 

[dave newell]

£16.50
Broken Link Removed

Is this reply to me? If so I'll repeat the NEW CANNISTER FILTER is horribly expensive. If not I apologise for shouting .

D.

 

[Techno]

Hi Andy
Do you know if the 2.0l jdt engine use this filter.
Lee.

Should be a screw on canister as centre picture here
Broken Link Removed

 

[Techno]

Is this reply to me? If so I'll repeat the NEW CANNISTER FILTER is horribly expensive. If not I apologise for shouting .

D.

No, reply t0 @berni109

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