How to replace fuel filter (GTI 1.8)

Hello all,

As the title suggests really, I have been to GSF and bought the fuel filter for my car:

FUEL FILTER PART NO : 121VG0050

I was trying to look for a guide on how to replace as I've read some strange things around the net, such as wrapping your wrists in rag to stop petrol getting everywhere !! To top my confusion, I've found a historic thread on this site saying:

"The arrow is a flow direction indicator, if your car is gti/injection dont use this type of filter as they cant handle the pressure and tend to burst which can be very bad ."

The part I've been supplied with has said arrow so now I'm even more nervous about giving this a go.

As always people - I need some help, I really don't want to run to a mechanic for everything 

I think you have the wrong filter. Can you post a picture of what is fitted to your car, I think the one you have is for a Mk2 Golf.
I think you need
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/121vg0070
that's what is fitted to my DX GTi engine.

mark1gls said

I think you have the wrong filter. Can you post a picture of what is fitted to your car, I think the one you have is for a Mk2 Golf.
I think you need
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/121vg0070
that's what is fitted to my DX GTi engine.

Evening Mark… Thank you for coming to my rescue again! Having seen the one on your link it looks 100 times more like mine on the car, will get you a photo tomorrow, thanks again as always.

It is a problem with the Mk1 Cabriolet, alot of places list Mk2 golf parts not just Mk1 parts.
If it is the type I posted the link to you will also need some copper washers as well, 2 the same size as a sump washer. I think SUMP PLUG SEAL
and you should get one with the filter, you need another some the same size. So 4 in total, 2 smaller that a sump washer and 2 the same size, 2 ether side of the filter, you don't need to change them every time but if the car is new to you its a good idea to fit some new ones.
The filter is under pressure so when you undo the bolts fuel will spray out for a short time then hold the hoses up, also worth undoing your fuel filler cap before you start then put it back on as the fuel tank can hold some pressure.
Post a pic just to make sure Im taking about he right filter, they should be changed every 20,000 miles so its a good thing to learn how to do it to save a bit of cash!

Hey Mark,

Have a look at the pics' let me know your thoughts : )

Well it looks like the larger fuel filter.
Here is mine, you can see the Mann part number 834/1 and the direction of the fuel flow from the arrow.

close up of end near battery. You should get one washer in the box with the filter and will need another one

Close up end near strut. You will need 2 copper washers for this end.


Put a cloth under the fuel filter when you undo the bolts at the ends as petrol will spray out, leave the filter attacted when you undo the bolts, you can hold the filter with a large spanner, I think one end is 22mm cant remmeber the other end. undo the bolts both ends, undo the jubilee clip, remove the filter but KEEP IT HORIZONTAL as fuel will spill out, I pour whats left in the filter into a jerry can or use the petrol as a cleaner, its great for getting rid of dirt and grease.
Put new filter in place, fit the 4 new washers and tighten up the jubilee clip, tighten up the bolts at the ends of the filter being careful not to bend the fuel pipes going to the filter, takes a bit of pratice getting them in the right place when tightening up the bolts.
Start the car, it will start then stall as there is no fuel in the filter, keep turning it over until it starts then check for leaks. Always worth checking for leaks for the next few days just to make sure. Job done!

I have always used a directional ones on my cabby GTI had it 20 years and never had any issues with the filter.

mark1gls said

Well it looks like the larger fuel filter.
Here is mine, you can see the Mann part number 834/1 and the direction of the fuel flow from the arrow.

Massive thank you Mark )

I'm doing a spot of decorating this week, but will nip over to GSF tomorrow and swap part over ready for my 1st attempt at swapping this over.

Cheers for the time taken out to help me on this one.

CraigSherriff said

mark1gls said

Well it looks like the larger fuel filter.
Here is mine, you can see the Mann part number 834/1 and the direction of the fuel flow from the arrow.

Massive thank you Mark )

I'm doing a spot of decorating this week, but will nip over to GSF tomorrow and swap part over ready for my 1st attempt at swapping this over.

Cheers for the time taken out to help me on this one.

Mark,

I'm ahead on the decorating so will be attempting this tomorrow - Does it matter which end of the fuel filter I undo first? Probably a daft question I know !

Also, I will be covering the area with a spare towel as an extra precaution… That would be ok wouldn't it?

I'm guessing you can sense I'm a little nervous about this, but I genuinely want to learn !!

Any end you like first just undo the holding strap last as it will help keep it still. 
you will get a bit of fuel out of it if you tip it up so keep it level and put in in something like a coke bottle with the top cut off. 

If it makes you feel better take the battery out first, no battery no spark lol 

pearcestu said

Any end you like first just undo the holding strap last as it will help keep it still. 
you will get a bit of fuel out of it if you tip it up so keep it level and put in in something like a coke bottle with the top cut off. 

If it makes you feel better take the battery out first, no battery no spark lol 

Thank you : )

I might just take the battery out for piece of mind or thoroughly cover it with rags' etc… I am a bit nervous about this one but I'm commited to giving this a go! Cheers for your advice. Craig

It does not matter which end to undo first but looking at your filter I would losen the end where the fuel goes in (furtherest from the battery) as there is a sort of nut made from the filter, hold that with a spanner on undo the bolt with a ring spanner, it will be tight, watch out from spraying petrol, then nip it back up then try the other end. You might need to undo the battery clamp (the thing that holds the battery in) as there does not seem much room the get a ring spanner in there, you should be able undo that end while still holding the filter in place (stopping it spinning) with a spanner on the other end filter where you held it when undo the first bolt.
hope you know what I mean by this?
just make sure when putting the new one it is the right way.

Evening Mark,

It does make sense : )

Presumably once the fuel from the pipes has all trickled / squirted out it will stop and the petrol in the tank will stay put (providing I don't turn the engine on of course)

I've let the fuel run quite low to (just an extra precaution).

The petrol will stop coming out just keep the fuel in pipe up (the end nearest the strut)

mark1gls said

The petrol will stop coming out just keep the fuel in pipe up (the end nearest the strut)

Hey Mark,
Just wanted to pop back and say thank you again, I followed everything as advised, got the correct filter and washers and all is swapped over now : )

I'm feeling a little more confident in my ability, as such, I'm going to attempt my oil filter change myself (with engine flush)

Have done it before but never with a flush….

Cheers for everything.

Glad you got it sorted.I would not use engine flush with an oil and filter change as you can get problems with oil leaks afterwards as the engine has build up deposits stopping leaks.
Might be worth starting another thread on weather to flush or not!

oil flush is a ht and miss subject, some do some dont.
I do and also use slick 50 too.

Some people drain out 1L of oil and drop 1L of ATF in before the oil change to help clean the engine too.

mark1gls said

Glad you got it sorted.I would not use engine flush with an oil and filter change as you can get problems with oil leaks afterwards as the engine has build up deposits stopping leaks.
Might be worth starting another thread on weather to flush or not!

 
I fear though from what I've seen of the car that the previous million owners have not looked after the car that well.

But now I'm a little nervous about unsettling deposits that maybe blocking little holes etc…  

pearcestu said

oil flush is a ht and miss subject, some do some dont.
I do and also use slick 50 too.

Some people drain out 1L of oil and drop 1L of ATF in before the oil change to help clean the engine too.

Cheers for info.

How long have you had your car? Did you know the history of the car well upon purchase? I'm a little nervous about doing flush as I don't think previous owners cared to much for car  

pearcestu said

oil flush is a ht and miss subject, some do some dont.
I do and also use slick 50 too.

Some people drain out 1L of oil and drop 1L of ATF in before the oil change to help clean the engine too.

Decided to give it a bash, flushed and replaced… Will know soon if leaks start to appear