New fuel filter...now it won't start? WTF!

[ziggituning]

I changed the timing belt etc, then ran the car a few times, all was OK, then I had the brite idea of taking more care of my wife's car and changing the fuel filter (70K miles), now it will not start.

I reconnected the filter as it was:

-Arrow pointing towards the front of the car
-thin line in the center on side facing the front of the car, larger feed line connected to the side.
-linne passing under the filter off to the side, and last line in the midle (on side facing the rear of the car).

I am not hearing it prime the system (as it does when you initially turn the ignition to on), I wonder if by coincidence the fiel pump just died? I know it is an issue with higher milage A4.

Any sugestions?

[A4_Joe]

did you check the fuse??

[mattman]

deffinately check the lines again! when i did mine i was 99% sure i put them back on as they were....but i was in a rush to avoid spilling fuel....and accidentally reversed the feed line with the vent line. mine didn't start either.

[ziggituning]

I checked the fuse and all is OK, I am pretty sure the lines are at the right place, can anyone clarify the positions of the lines just to be sure, I had reversed the 2 lines on the sde facing the front, but swithched them back, the car seemed to want to start but would not catch, so now......

[kastro]

uh.. usssualllyyy when u change a fuel filter you have to turn the key to "before full ignition" do that 5 times to let the fuel go through.. what's happening is fuel hasn't gone through the new filter yet.. hope it works.. did for me

[ziggituning]

tried that more than 5 times, no luck, I will try and see if the fuel pump is working by jumping it at the fuse box, also found a note from audi saying to line up the direction arrow with a marking on the bracket, I do not think I am too off, but did not pay attention to the alignment. I hope the pump is still good...

I am open to any other ideas

thanks

[teg2audi]

tried that more than 5 times, no luck, I will try and see if the fuel pump is working by jumping it at the fuse box, also found a note from audi saying to line up the direction arrow with a marking on the bracket, I do not think I am too off, but did not pay attention to the alignment. I hope the pump is still good...

I am open to any other ideas

thanks

I would be very surprised if the pump died unless it had been humming for some time and it just happened to die after you changed the filter. When i changed my filter i switched the lines and it didn't start. I would strongly recommend switching the lines and trying to start it, it definitely sounds like the lines where switched.

[ziggituning]

Found some info in the audi books, they say to align the arrow on the filter with a mark on the bracket, could this be an issue? would it be that sensitive? I will see if ti makes a diff tomorrow.

[HIERLEVELZ]

Why dont you switch the lines like everyone suggests? I too have personally switched my lines and the car wouldnt start.

[ziggituning]

I am going to switch the lines today, however there are a few combinations possible and if someone had a proper pic or idea of which one goes where that would be a great help.. Which lines do you usually mix up? the ones going to the engine or the ones coming from the tank. Thanks.

[risc427]

You may have already seen these, but since I haven't seen them posted in this thread -

Audizine Fuel Filter DIY

Audiworld Fuel Filter DIY

[mattman]

I am going to switch the lines today, however there are a few combinations possible and if someone had a proper pic or idea of which one goes where that would be a great help.. Which lines do you usually mix up? the ones going to the engine or the ones coming from the tank. Thanks.

i mixed up the ones coming from the tank. i don't know how i did...but i did.

[Frey7190]

Read my DIY and make sure your have the "FLOW" going in the right direction.. otherwise it wont pump to the motor!

[akaEsCo01]

I'm sure you have your lines crossed, but it seems you are reluctant to believe you can make such a simple mistake.

[MikTip]

Is your gas tank empty?

[wolfdog]

deffinately check the lines again! when i did mine i was 99% sure i put them back on as they were....but i was in a rush to avoid spilling fuel....and accidentally reversed the feed line with the vent line. mine didn't start either.

+1

I was also 100% sure I did it correctly - and I didn't. It wouldn't start so I swapped the two on the side facing the rear and it started right up.

[dirtybrd]

Update?

[ziggituning]

I'm sure you have your lines crossed, but it seems you are reluctant to believe you can make such a simple mistake.

I'll try anything, but if I quadruple check it and it is OK, then I nedd to keep looking for the answer to the problem.


Thanks for all the input, I have the ELSA software, so I looked up the line config, and all was OK, the tank was full, I bypassed the fuse and ran the pump off the batt to be sure it was OK, I picked up a fuel pump relay and changed the plugs, car started up! Looks like the sudi gods were on my side, thanks for the help!

[dirtybrd]

Good to know.

[B00sted20VUSP]

Nice! So it was just the Fuel Pump Relay? Too bad my pump shit on me while driving, had to change it on the side of the road the next day. Beats a tow bill.

[ziggituning]

Nice! So it was just the Fuel Pump Relay? Too bad my pump shit on me while driving, had to change it on the side of the road the next day. Beats a tow bill.

I get the feeling you need to keep a few supplies on hand with the B6:

-coil packs
-fuel pumps
-spark plugs
-tools
-maybe a coolant flange or two!

feels like my onl VW Jetta days....no one drove a VW in the 90's without a tool box in the trunk!

Just kidding...kinda...