Got a problem on my work hog Primera. It's a '98 2.0TD the check engine light came on today whilst the missus was driving it. One of the things I checked was the water in the fuel filter, loads of the stuff came out so I shut it off as I wasn't sure if the filter may be fubarred or not? Is it normal to have a great deal of water come out if it's not been done in a very long time? Would this constitute towards the start probs we have had with it i.e water in the fuel??

Cheers

This is why you should drain the fuel filter/moisture trap on a diesel regularly!

I know that now!!!! On the plus side the beasty starts no probs now

Yes it will cause starting problems and can cause problems with the injectors etc too if too much water gets through.

You tend to get more water in there in the winter, but tbh that is why there is a drain on it. Unless you know when the thing was last changed it won't do any harm to change the fuel filter when you get a bit of time.