Hi,

 

is the fuel filter without a regulator interchangable wth the filter with a built in regulator?

 

I ask as I have a new filter without and upon separating the reg from the old filter it's toast (Almost rusted through) and I can not find a supplier for a new separate one...

 

Cheers

 

Frogz

 

 

I would hazard a guess that the resultant fuel pressure would be the same, no reason why it would be different.

Well, first issue will be that there will be three pipes at the site of the fuel filter/regulator, a supply, a blow over return and a delivery to the injectors.

 

Second issue will be quality and pressure of delivered fuel if you do manage to terminate(block) the "blow over" fuel pipe.

 

So, why not try to buy another filter/regulator assembly as it seems that they are available via the aftermarket - failing that, order in a new regulator complete with seals from a VAG dealer.

 

I bought a VAG filter, then thought about this, and bought a new regulator, seals and clip.

 

I think that on cars without the regulator coupled to the filter, there is a regulator further back nearer the pump, the quality of fuel coming from one of these pumps without being regulated, will be higher and rougher than ideal I'd expect.

Well, first issue will be that there will be three pipes at the site of the fuel filter/regulator, a supply, a blow over return and a delivery to the injectors.

 

Second issue will be quality and pressure of delivered fuel if you do manage to terminate(block) the "blow over" fuel pipe.

 

So, why not try to buy another filter/regulator assembly as it seems that they are available via the aftermarket - failing that, order in a new regulator complete with seals from a VAG dealer.

 

I bought a VAG filter, then thought about this, and bought a new regulator, seals and clip.

 

I think that on cars without the regulator coupled to the filter, there is a regulator further back nearer the pump, the quality of fuel coming from one of these pumps without being regulated, will be higher and rougher than ideal I'd expect.

 

Are you quite sure about this, I can only see the regulator inline with the filter under my car, the pump is in the tank and the return line seems to be from the fuel rail.

Are you quite sure about this, I can only see the regulator inline with the filter under my car, the pump is in the tank and the return line seems to be from the fuel rail.

 

Yes I see what you are saying, so that just means that you have the filter/regulator close coupled combo. I looked into this a lot before committing myself to buying a filter, ie trying to buy the correct filter first time so as not to create a VOR situation that would force me into letting/getting my wife to borrow my car!! I examined a parts catalogue - ETOS and discovered that there were two pressure options, when in fact (I think) there is what you and most others have, and the set up the 1.2 engine gets - which seems to be a remote regulator back near the tank and filter forward where our one lives. Someone on one these VAG forums, bought a new filter aftermarket, maybe Bosch, and it came complete with regulator and looked exactly like all the individual parts that I bought, but his was preassembled. Now this might be typical aftermarket where the supplier has worked out that with time this lot gets rusty so in reality replacing just the filter element is not viable - as the OP to this thread has discovered. In my case, I was just trying to remove another possible reason for pinking in this BBY 1.4 16V 75PS engine - although things might have moved on and the original problem could have been down to a malfunctioning oil separator. (assembled VAG filter+regulator still keeping warm and dry in airing cupboard!)

Thanks for the thoughts folks

 

Frogz