Outstanding pre-filter performance

[3DB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 3DB]

I knew I had some crud in the tank of my Mercedes and based on this it might be time to pull the tank and clean it.

https://instagram.com/p/BiIzfutFfE7/

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: Outstanding pre-filter performance

It looks like there is no problem in the tank if that is all it caught in "how long?"
The correct prefilter for the Mercedes diesels (that you have used) is very strong and has done a sterling job in your case.
I have tried the cheap paper element pre-filters and they collapse with far less crud, and sometimes tear, allowing the crud into the fuel pump. Fortunately, the main filter will catch it before it gets to the IP.

Put a new OEM prefilter on it and check it often.
I blow the crud out of mine with compressed air, then rinse with stale petrol to clean it up. Allow to dry, ten put in ziplok bag and put it back into the car for roadside filter changes. The Ziploc bag is for the used filter, to prevent oil staining of the car interior.

[3DB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 3DB]

Re: Outstanding pre-filter performance

That particular filter has been on the car for 5 months. I doubt the car has travelled more than 1000km in that time.

I change the main filter once a year and carry a spare of each just in case.

I've had my eye on that one for a while and thought I'd see how far I could push it before changing.

The car never had one on when I bought it and I'm surprised I hadn't suffered main filter blockage prior to installing one.

A good investment at <$5 each.

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: Outstanding pre-filter performance

Even better when you change and clean them, ready for reinstallation!

[Dr Mark Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dr Mark]

Re: Outstanding pre-filter performance

It looks like there is no problem in the tank if that is all it caught in "how long?"
The correct prefilter for the Mercedes diesels (that you have used) is very strong and has done a sterling job in your case.
I have tried the cheap paper element pre-filters and they collapse with far less crud, and sometimes tear, allowing the crud into the fuel pump. Fortunately, the main filter will catch it before it gets to the IP.

Put a new OEM prefilter on it and check it often.
I blow the crud out of mine with compressed air, then rinse with stale petrol to clean it up. Allow to dry, ten put in ziplok bag and put it back into the car for roadside filter changes. The Ziploc bag is for the used filter, to prevent oil staining of the car interior.

My experience is that some filters, particularly the cheap paper ones, clog with SVO even if it's clean.

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: Outstanding pre-filter performance

My experience is that some filters, particularly the cheap paper ones, clog with SVO even if it's clean.

Mark, I have found that cheap filters, of any variety, are just not worth the purchase price, or the potential costs.
There have been instances of filters, where the adhesive used in assembly of the element has dissolved in biodiesel or other fuels and large particles then found their way into the IP.
More likely, the filter just blocks up and leaves you stranded.