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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: The Hoax on 14 April 2005, 21:03

Title: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: The Hoax on 14 April 2005, 21:03
I just changed my fuel filter today and out of interest, I cut open the old one to see what it was like and guess what ? There was a little brown field mouse nesting in it. No there wasn't - but like me it was full of sh!t.

I took the car out a run and it feels far more responsive. I don't know if its the kind of performance improvement you get when you give it a good clean ie imaginery, or if it really makes a difference. What do you think?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: ...joe on 14 April 2005, 23:21
changing  the fuel filter is often over looked and does make a difference. when i did  mine i found a family of owls in it, i think they were on the hunt for a field mouse as they looked a bit skinny.
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 15 April 2005, 08:18
I am doing mine on the weekend :) lets hope i don't find any country side wildlife in their :)
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Gambit on 15 April 2005, 09:23
if it was as clogged up as you say then yeah it will make a difference
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 15 April 2005, 14:06
Well i found a grizzly bear in mine!   :laugh:
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: mjamoose on 15 April 2005, 23:34
A Grizzly Bear, Ha!
I found a moose, antlers and all in mine! How the hell it got here from Canada is anybody's guess tho!  :shocked:
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 18 April 2005, 08:39
Did mine :) simple job takes me ages though :) Damn nuts were really on tight, so had to leave it soak it good old wd40 all day, then they came of no probs, has made a slight difference, don't seem to have to put the accelerator down as much now to get the power!

left the face plate on radio on though for 3 days and the bettery was dead :)

You should see the state of my accumulator :) looks like it has been recoverd from the titanic, rust is not the word, but seems to be functioning ok! prob just surface rust!

Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: CHR15 on 18 April 2005, 10:02
awww, you got my hopes up, i was thinking i was gonna see a picture of a mouse in a filter!  :shocked:

calm down dear, its not a REAL mouse!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: The Hoax on 18 April 2005, 21:12
Hey Deefa

Watch that the accumulator does not spring a leak and cause you problems. It happened on my last valver during a holiday weekend and VAG dealer wanted about £150 for the part. I don't think that Euro do them but GSF have them for about £60. If you see a good one in a scrappie grab it as it may save you a lot of grief. Blag the pipes while you are at it.

By the way, I forgot to mention that the harvest mouse i found in my filter was lodged between the teeth of a great white shark.
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 18 April 2005, 21:38
Cheers The Hoax, I'll keep an eye out for one! it would not suprise me that it's the original one! :)
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: thedentist55 on 19 April 2005, 20:48
I feel out of place as I only found fuel in mine :angry: however I seem to remember a tale about three mice that couldn't see, maybe one lost its way and ended up in your filter.

Wheres the accumulator located? is it underneath next to the pump and filter?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 22 April 2005, 02:10
how easy is it to change a  fuel  :huh:filter
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 22 April 2005, 08:11
This is a simple job! a bit awkward with out a pit!

New filter is about £7 - gsf!

Jack the rear drivers side up and put axcels stands on the bar going across (not sure what this is called) :) then remvoe the jack

unscrew either side of the filter  (i had to soak mine in wd 40 overnight) , each side has different size bolts! use 2 spanners either side one on the bolt and one on the filter pushing against each other so you don't move the filter around to much, HAVE A BUCKET READY TO CATCH THE FUEL! there is not much about half a pint maybe a little more!

Undo the bracket holding the filter and remove, fitting is reverasal of removing! it does state to renwe the metal or rings on each side, but i did not bother, as i did not have time to get them!

hope that helps

Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 22 April 2005, 09:44
It should be a simple job but as i found out no job is ever simple! You will probably find that everything is rusted to hell and seized, but you just gotta take your time and keep your patience as you may do damages to fuel lines if you raggy it around.

This pic might help you out.

(http://img257.echo.cx/img257/8430/under0fm.jpg)
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 22 April 2005, 11:21
Your accumulator looks like mine, 90% rust :) lol
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 22 April 2005, 11:22
What exactly does it do?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Gambit on 22 April 2005, 11:53
accumulator holds the fuel pressure after the engine is switched of. if valve is knackered then it drops pressure leading to a bit of rough running on cold starts till it builds up pressure again
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 22 April 2005, 11:55
thx for that i now feel a little more confident at havin a go, so you dont have to clamp anything when you undo nuts etc?
thx
marco
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 22 April 2005, 12:02
No, no clamping involved!

you just get a bit of petrol coming out of the filter! put some sheeting down and get a bucket and of course use some plastic gloves, you know the surgical type ones!

** I got a feeling my starting probs could be all down to the accumulator! doh!
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 22 April 2005, 12:15
cheers will have a go at the weekend :) yeah think my accumalator could be blamed for my startin probs too
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 22 April 2005, 12:20
I never take precautions like gloves etc. i had petrol everywhere and i still used a blow torch to release the seized clamp. icky BOOM!  Some day im gonna regret being a doyle!
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 22 April 2005, 12:29
marcogolfo  - is your starting probs same as mine?

Here's mine, when cold, i need to hit the accelerator to start here, she will not fire up with the key alone, once warmed up, she starts fine!

Mk2GTI2.016v  - LOL
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 22 April 2005, 13:48
yeah but not always, sometimes she starts no probs when shes cold but if i havnt driven her for a day or two she struggles to start
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: John Goldick on 24 April 2005, 21:24
So which one in that pic is the actual fuel filter???
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 24 April 2005, 23:41
The silver one to the left of the pump (naked baked bean can) :)
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 05 May 2005, 11:35
welp changed the fuel filter and ever since my car will not start from cold at all
gutted
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 05 May 2005, 11:55
Oh dear. you havent put it on back to front have you?  :grin: Or maybee knocked the wire on the fuel pump? Or have you broken one of the lines and got a leak? Sounds like your loosing pressure somewhere, does you pump prime on ignition?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Gambit on 05 May 2005, 11:56
looks like your manky fuel filter was helping the accumulator keep pressure. new accumulator me thinks :sad:


just to add....

do u mean the car wont start at all?
also, you cant put the filters on back to front, plue there is an arrow telling you the correct direction
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 05 May 2005, 20:37
also the holes are slightly different! So i think it's impossible to put back to front. maybe it's a duff filter???
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 09 May 2005, 14:39
hmmm my filter didnt have an arrow on it unfortunately.  The car will start normal when its warm.  It just seems to be having a job  when its cold.  I checked and I havn't kinked the fuel lines. 
The filter was tapered I put the flat fatter end facing towards the back of the car. 

Wire on fuel pump - I may have knocked it will have to look.  How would I sort it out if this is  the case
I can hear something priming when I turn the ignition presumably this would be th epump?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Judderi on 09 May 2005, 15:00
Sounds like the pump and wire going to it are fine if you can hear it prime. What exactly is the problem? Does the car start from cold?
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 10 May 2005, 12:16
The car will eventually start from cold but after turning her over with my foot flat on the accelerator about 9 times.  She will fire up and then immediately cut out.  As if fuel wasn't getting to where it should be.  Once the car has started it will start fine all day.  Its just when I leave her over  night. :angry:
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: Deefadog on 10 May 2005, 12:28
Sounds like what  i had, i know it's stupid but put your battery on charge over night then start her up in the morning, see if that makes a difference!

you never know, i checked everthing else but the battery!
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: marcogolfo on 10 May 2005, 12:30
ok i will give that a go lol.  Its like you say ya never know
thx
Title: Re: Mouse in fuel filter
Post by: animaniac on 12 May 2005, 04:11
it will bring it back up to scratch if its full of rust and dirt!