Fuel filter on 2.5tdi

[fargo]

Hi
I am wanting to change the fuel filter on my 2001 TDI.
My vehicle awoke with a noisy motor. A sort of pinging chattering noise & quite possibly a drop in power. Took it to an injector specialist who pointed out immediately that there was bubbles in onne of the fuel lines. This apparently causes detonation issues & affects the timing advance etc, thus , more noise.
Upon inspection, there seems to be at least 5 fuel lines running to & from the filter.
My first job is to replace the filter & see if there is still problems(eg split fuel line).
My questions are on the procedure to change the filter.
a. How do you bleed the fuel line on one of these things?
b. are after market fuel filters any good?
c. any known additives for injector cleaners that actually work?

Thanks

[jets]

Does your van have ABS? If it does, it's hard to see let alone work on. You will probably need to remove the headlight as well as the battery to get enough access.
If the filter has not been changed before you will need a couple of hose clamps to replace the factory ones. The filter is pushed up from the bottom & after cleaning the "R "clip is slid out sideways & the insert pulled up & out. Make a note of which pipe goes where.
No need to prime but you should fill the new filter with fuel before installing. I would stay with a branded German filter although I believe the Italian one is OK.
I have not changed one myself but thats how I understand to do the job.
Forgot to mention, wipe away any spilled fuel on rubber components-- it will rot them.

[David Morris]

Yep just like Jets says take out the left head lamp assembly then you can get a hand down & get the clips off the hoses& undo the wire hold down clamp from the valve box . but you may have to remove the radiator grill to do this that is a chore that is worth while .
It will come out even with a ambo style bull bar in place as you can then clean the buggs & grass from the radiators & I mean between the cooling cores air con & water because they will have lots of junk stored in there thats a pain to get out But worth the trouble Be carefull as they damage real easy just take your time .
I stick an old reare earth magnet out of a computer hard drive on the outside of my filters where they hang down near the water drain cap this draws the rusty bits that we get floating about in one place& keeps them there out of harms way ,
Cut my last filter open to see what it had collected & was amazed what 30K had found & stored for me .
TC