I own a 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD which has covered 131000 miles. I bought the vehicle earlier this year as a two-owner car with a service history.

 

In a piecemeal manner I am bringing the long-term servicing up-to-scratch. Namely, I have had a new clutch fitted; cambelt replaced; water-pump; belts; drop links on suspension; brake pads; etc., etc - all, with the hope of maintaining 100% reliability for long journeys.

 

For jobs which I am not confident of doing myself, I buy discounted parts from motor factors and have an arrangement with my local non-franchise garage to fit them for me - charging labour only.

 

I have bought a new Bosch diesel fuel filter element. My car has the cylindrical reservoir on the left of the engine bay. I wish to change the filter myself. However, I have read it may be necessary to purge the fuel pump afterwards and, expensive software may be needed to do so.

 

Please, does anyone have firsthand experience of doing this job and can advise me if it is straightforward ?

 

Or, can it only be done with the aid of the expensive software package ?

 

Someone told me, if I leave sufficient diesel in the canister, it should be ok.

 

The vehicle's service history does not mention the filter having been replaced before, and I am uncertain when it should take place.

 

On the other-hand, as American's say:- "If it isn't broken - don't fix it."

 

Hence, my dilemma.

 

 

 

 

 

No you don't need to do anything like that with the 1.9... it is self priming

And even if you have run the bowl and entire system dry as I recently deliberately did you can prime the whole system and canister by turning on the ignition repeatedly, each time you will hear the pump action for a few seconds.

 

VCDS just makes it easier to do and you can run the pump as long as you desire.

 

As has been said just changing the element will probably cause no problem as the canister will lose very little fuel and the PD pumps are self priming.

Please may I thank softscoop and J.R. for their prompt responses to my query.

 

Based on what you say, I now have confidence in doing the job myself.

 

Incidentally, if you are not aware, on YouTube the German parts supplier AutoDoc have many Skoda tutorial videos on how to do regular maintenance oneself.

 

I find them invaluable.

I don't know if it's the same on the 1.9 as the 2.0 bkd, but I changed my fuel filter and didn't need to prime the system. I did chuck some injector cleaner in the housing when I did the job though so it was full up!

Straight forward to do. Just take your time and make sure you put some diesel in the filter housing (half to two thirds full) to minimise the amount of priming required but not enough to flood everywhere. Put the filter in slowly. Make sure any seals are coated in fuel to lubricate them so they seat and seal properly. 

 

 

 

It would be a good Idea to drain the fuel canister fully.

 

That way you can check for water/debris at the bottom which if left unchecked could rust through and gives a general idea of how clean the fuel system is.

 

If you don't have a piece of hose to syphon it out just use rags or something else absorbent.

 

No need to prime other than cycle the ignition several times before attempting to start.

 

Pay close attention to the condition of the top lid, they are a water/dirt trap by design and can rust through causing all kinds of fuel system problems.

 

If it looks suspicious, small wire brush and hammerite paint works well to fend off rust.

Be careful how you lever the lid top off it is thin metal and can deform fairly easily leading to it not sealing  correctly when reattached which can lead to diesel leaking on to the area the belts are which can lead to big problems.