Fuel Filter and E-Brake!

**hoganalley** · 10-04-2008 05:28 PM

Just did the swap for the E-brake cables and the fuel filter.

2 things......

1. Who the hell runs the Passenger Side E-Brake up and over the diff mount so whe you take the cable out the front of it won't go past the mount? I ended up having to cut the cable in half and pull one half out the back and the other half out the front. Stupid design.

2. Why did they jam that filter up there? I ended up using one of the methods given by a user here where I put the banjo bolt back in and yanked down on the filter. Once it was out, I cut the bracket so it was easier to get back in.

Needless to say, I messed up the banjo bolt. Didn't have a replacement so I used silicone on the crush washers to help seal them up. Worked like a charm! I blew into the filter before I put it in....blew through no problem. Blew through the used filter....almost popped a blood vessel. Life time filter my ass.

E-brake feels awesome! I'll let you know if the fuel filter makes a difference.

**biketsai** · 10-04-2008 05:47 PM

Yes, please keep us updated on the fuel filter difference. How long did it take to install the filter?

**hoganalley** · 10-04-2008 06:10 PM

because I ran into the bolt problem, about 1hr 30min....most of that was spent on phone calls and stuff. If it was all I was doing.....30-45min....

**generik777** · 10-04-2008 08:10 PM

The easiest way to change the fuel filter is when you are low on gas. Then just lower the fuel tank, cut the filter strap, and put the new one in. When you re-tighten the fuel tank it holds the filter in place on it's own just because it's so wedged up in there. Also I don't know if I would trust silicone unless you got fuel resistant silicone, won't the fuel eat away at it otherwise?

**passatkid** · 10-04-2008 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by generik777

The easiest way to change the fuel filter is when you are low on gas. Then just lower the fuel tank, cut the filter strap, and put the new one in. When you re-tighten the fuel tank it holds the filter in place on it's own just because it's so wedged up in there. Also I don't know if I would trust silicone unless you got fuel resistant silicone, won't the fuel eat away at it otherwise?

Yes gas will cause more auto silicones to break down, hence the reason gas is great for washing parts in.

**hoganalley** · 10-04-2008 11:29 PM

^^^you guys are absolutely right. I ran a few errands this evening....probably 10km in all and by the time I ran the 11th km, it was leaking. Now I have to take everything apart and file down the bolt to make sure it all fits. Lesson learned I guess. I thought the silicone may hold up knowing it doesn't mix too well with gas. Oh well. I only lost 1/4 of a tank....not the end of the world. It's just hard to torque that bolt with the setup Audi has. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

Any suggestions though?

**generik777** · 10-04-2008 11:36 PM

Just get a new banjo bolt. Shouldn't cost too much.

**hoganalley** · 10-05-2008 03:23 AM

dealer item. Nobody has it in stock. It's going to be at least 2 days before I can get one and this is my DD. It's not a bolt that's carried standard in any hardware store around here. I'm going to try and file it down to get it flat, but other than that is there another sealant I can use?

**manufan** · 10-05-2008 07:11 AM

You don't need a sealant at all, you need new crush washers.

**hoganalley** · 10-05-2008 08:07 AM

Crush washers are brand new. I just took off the bolt and the washers are fine. When I took out the filter I mauled the banjo bolt and I've put a lip on the surface where the washer goes so it doesn't sit flat. I'm going to file down the bolt and make it work, I just wanted to use sealant as a precaution.....

**hoganalley** · 10-05-2008 10:11 AM

Well that didn't work. No one has any suggestions on a sealant that might work and not dissolve in gas?

**generik777** · 10-05-2008 11:25 AM

They do sell stuff at auto stores thats meant for sealing cracked fuel tanks. Just go to the auto store and ask for something like that. It might work. I'm not sure how long that type of stuff takes to cure though so it might defeat the purpose.

**hoganalley** · 10-05-2008 01:20 PM

I got some stuff from Canadian Tire....it's a grey epoxy mix basically so I mixed it up and put it where the leak is. Seems to have fixed it. I did notice that after I ran for about 10min there was gas on the outside, but it's not dripping. I'll drive it until I notice it gets worse or get my mechanic to fix it when I go in for the CV Boot.

Turns out the inlet end of the seal somehow got damaged. I don't know if it was when I tightened the bolt the first time or what but the depression that the crush washer fits into was completely smooth at one point. The only fix is to get a new filter and install it. If I really notice gas dissapearing fast, then I'll do it sooner than later.

Thanks for your help guys

**hoganalley** · 10-05-2008 06:00 PM

Ok....so after driving about 50km with the new filter I'd say there's a noticeable improvement in delivery. I used to have a small shudder when accelerating slowly in second gear. That's gone now. The whole car feels smoother, like it's not struggling. I'd say that's the original filter with 198k km on it! I'd definately reccommend doing this!