New Fuel Filter Not Sealing

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi all

I have just fitted a new fuel filter, and now can't get the tank end of it to seal again.

I've tried cleaning both copper washers up with fine sandpaper, I've tried heating them up as best I can on an electric hob and plunging them into cold water and just brute force humping it up all to no avail.

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? The leak itself is between the bolt and fuel line fixing (ie not the filter washer side). I've also tried swapping the washers over but no good...

Any help appreciated...

[phillpot]

Are you using new washers?

I'd take a good look at the faces on the bolt and fuel pipe that the washer seats onto for any imperfections?

Changed a fuel filter recently and it only came with one washer for each end!

I was lucky, old washers sealed ok.

[Lewis's Friend]

I don't have any new washers - I'll try that tomorrow as a friend is going to bring some into work with him.

The bolt head had a little bit of corrosion round it, but only where the washer stopped. Where it sealed before was nice and clean. I've cleaned what corrosion there was off though, and on the union but still no joy.

Hopefully new washers will sort it, but it's a bit unnerving - I don't like leaky fuel systems...!

[mk1fan]

I had similar issues when I change my filter - can't find the thread. The new filter was short of copper washers too. I reused a couple and replaced the new ones I had. Turned out the new ones were wider in overall diameter - although the central hole was the same diameter.

This fouled on some corrosion on the fuel line banjo so wouldn't fully seal. I cleaned up the old washers and re-fitted them. All was good again.

[Lewis's Friend]

This filter didn't come with any new washers annoyingly. I would have thought it would, but nevermind!

Hopefully two new ones tomorrow will see me right.