Help - Fuel filter replacement - V8S
Discussion
Can anybody assist? My V8S is fitted with a fuel filter with a built in cut out switch (key operated) located on the steering column. The initials MER are printed on the key. Is this a standard V8S fuel filter? Can anyone advise me of the best way of changing the filter before I go about it for the first time. Where can I get a new replacement filter and how much will it cost? Any info will be gratefully received. Thanks. Eric Benn.
quote:
Can anybody assist? My V8S is fitted with a fuel filter with a built in cut out switch (key operated) located on the steering column. The initials MER are printed on the key. Is this a standard V8S fuel filter? Can anyone advise me of the best way of changing the filter before I go about it for the first time. Where can I get a new replacement filter and how much will it cost? Any info will be gratefully received. Thanks. Eric Benn.
Never heared of this, are you saying the fuel filter has an electrically operated cutout? Bizarre! More conventional immobiliser would be an ignition, starter or fuel pump cutout switch. Obviously the pump and filter are quite close together and look similar, except of course the pump has a couple of electrical terminals on it. That's a hint by the way!
The filter should be replaced as necessary during routine servicing, why are you touching it? Quite apart from the 'do you know what you're doing?' issues, splitting the fuel lines is potentially dangerous and not a job for casual DIY.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Peter, thanks for your reply. Yes, I`m as puzzled as you are on this. I can assure you I do know the difference between the fuel pump and the fuel filter having had plenty of mechanical experience to be able to recognise what is what. Has anyone else out there any knowledge of MED key operated immobilisers fitted to the V8S FUEL FILTER and who instals them? EB
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Peter, thanks for your reply. Yes, I`m as puzzled as you are on this. I can assure you I do know the difference between the fuel pump and the fuel filter having had plenty of mechanical experience to be able to recognise what is what. Has anyone else out there any knowledge of MED key operated immobilisers fitted to the V8S FUEL FILTER and who instals them? EB
No offense intended, I just find the idea of a fuel line immobiliser completely bizarre and think it's far more likely that you're actually looking at the pump! But if you're sure ...
A Google search for "MED immobilisers" only turned up what looks like a Dutch marine insurance company (can't be sure, the site seems to be in double Dutch) which makes me wonder if this is something intended for boats? Has your car ever lived on the continent, or been owned by a marine engineer?
Back to the car, what does the fuel filter look like? If the fuel filter installation is relatively conventional i.e. cylindrical housing, 0.5" pipe in and out at opposite ends, I'd be inclined to chuck it and replace it with a conventional in-liner filter, possibly adding a conventional Thatcham immobiliser if the fuel filter one was the only one you had.
Hope this helps,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Wednesday 28th August 12:32
Thanks for your further interest in this matter Peter.
Right now, I`ve just gone back down my custom built pit which I specially constructed to give full underside access to my V8S to keep an eye on, and maintain, the underside of the car. Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera - as they say "a picture paints a thousand words???!!!"
However, on further inspection this is what I have found. A metal in-line cylinder about 3.5 inch in diameter, 5 inch long, obviously with a rubber fuel line entering one end (coming from the fuel pump) and leaving the other end of the filter with the rubber fuel line travelling towards the engine and the fuel injection system. On this side of the cylinder there is a metal electrical box (possibly containing a solonoid of some sort?) with two wires entering it, both of which go to the steering column inside the car and where the circuit is completed by means of a seperate key. (situated adjacent to the ignition barrell). These cables have med - made in Italy stamped on the outer sheathing throughout the length of the cables. The electrical box(also with med stamped on it) is held on and bolted to the exterior of the cylinder by a central bolt and it would seem to me that the purpose of this box is to operate a solonoid which in turn must open and shut a gate valve and in turn the fuel supply.
The cylinder is bolted to the chassis at the rear nearside near to the above the axle. Does this help describe the set up?
The fuel pump on my car is situated at the rear of the fuel tank just in the cavity between it and the rear bodywork vallance and there is an inertia switch cut out for the pump mounted on the bulkhead in the engine compartment. Steve Heaths S series manual has no info on what I take to be the Fuel Filter. What do you think? EB
Right now, I`ve just gone back down my custom built pit which I specially constructed to give full underside access to my V8S to keep an eye on, and maintain, the underside of the car. Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera - as they say "a picture paints a thousand words???!!!"
However, on further inspection this is what I have found. A metal in-line cylinder about 3.5 inch in diameter, 5 inch long, obviously with a rubber fuel line entering one end (coming from the fuel pump) and leaving the other end of the filter with the rubber fuel line travelling towards the engine and the fuel injection system. On this side of the cylinder there is a metal electrical box (possibly containing a solonoid of some sort?) with two wires entering it, both of which go to the steering column inside the car and where the circuit is completed by means of a seperate key. (situated adjacent to the ignition barrell). These cables have med - made in Italy stamped on the outer sheathing throughout the length of the cables. The electrical box(also with med stamped on it) is held on and bolted to the exterior of the cylinder by a central bolt and it would seem to me that the purpose of this box is to operate a solonoid which in turn must open and shut a gate valve and in turn the fuel supply.
The cylinder is bolted to the chassis at the rear nearside near to the above the axle. Does this help describe the set up?
The fuel pump on my car is situated at the rear of the fuel tank just in the cavity between it and the rear bodywork vallance and there is an inertia switch cut out for the pump mounted on the bulkhead in the engine compartment. Steve Heaths S series manual has no info on what I take to be the Fuel Filter. What do you think? EB
quote:
Thanks for your further interest in this matter Peter.
Right now, I`ve just gone back down my custom built pit which I specially constructed to give full underside access to my V8S to keep an eye on, and maintain, the underside of the car. Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera - as they say "a picture paints a thousand words???!!!"
However, on further inspection this is what I have found. A metal in-line cylinder about 3.5 inch in diameter, 5 inch long, obviously with a rubber fuel line entering one end (coming from the fuel pump) and leaving the other end of the filter with the rubber fuel line travelling towards the engine and the fuel injection system. On this side of the cylinder there is a metal electrical box (possibly containing a solonoid of some sort?) with two wires entering it, both of which go to the steering column inside the car and where the circuit is completed by means of a seperate key. (situated adjacent to the ignition barrell). These cables have med - made in Italy stamped on the outer sheathing throughout the length of the cables. The electrical box(also with med stamped on it) is held on and bolted to the exterior of the cylinder by a central bolt and it would seem to me that the purpose of this box is to operate a solonoid which in turn must open and shut a gate valve and in turn the fuel supply.
The cylinder is bolted to the chassis at the rear nearside near to the above the axle. Does this help describe the set up?
The fuel pump on my car is situated at the rear of the fuel tank just in the cavity between it and the rear bodywork vallance and there is an inertia switch cut out for the pump mounted on the bulkhead in the engine compartment. Steve Heaths S series manual has no info on what I take to be the Fuel Filter. What do you think? EB
Sorry for doubting you, that clearly is the fuel filter exactly as you said at the outset. What you've described sounds exactly like the standard installation, just with some funny sort of fuel filter. I guess your options are (a) replace it with a standard filter, which sounds like it would be a straight swap, (b) find an MED filter from somewhere, (c) leave it alone. I'm guessing you are going for (a) and want to know the spec or part number for the standard filter? I would hope it's a standard V8 injection filter, but to confirm the part number I'll need to go grovel around under the car - which I can't do until I get home. Maybe somebody else on the list already knows it?
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
why not just remove it and throw it away and fit a simple fuel pump switch, at least as effective as what you have or better still an inertia switch to the fuel pump situated where you can reach it but not see it. this way you will have a safety cut out in the event of an accident and can also flick it whe leaving the car to immobilise the fuel pump. Not many car theives will find it or realise that it is immobilising the car
Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Peter, I will go for option A as I have just had recently installed a Cat 1 Thatcham Alarm (Meta System) and really dont see any need for further immobilisation. I will fit a standard V8 fuel filter. It would be of great assistance if at sometime you could forward a part number.Thanks again for your input as quite frankly I thought I was going "aff ma heid" when I saw this set up! EB
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It would be of great assistance if at sometime you could forward a part number.
Bad news I'm afraid, with my fuel filter in situ I can't see any part numbers on it. It if's any help, it's a cylinder a smidge over 3" diameter and 4" long, secured by a strap round its tummy, hoses both end are approx 15mm OD. My guess is they're a standard Range Rover filter. Maybe somebody else can confirm?
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
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