CAV 296 pre-filter

As is common knowledge here, we had a fuel pre-filter fitted in June. Yes, I did have Racor in mind, but TW Marine persuaded me a Lucas/Delphi/CAV/296 was what I should go for, and the boatyard where we were had these in stock and said they'd fit one no problem, and so it went.  Good job too, as they noticed one of the fuel pipe ends was faulty, so got that whole pipe replaced.  Our fuel seems to be clean and the first filter might go for 2 years, but me being me, this afternoon I popped into a local car parts shop to ask if they have any of these "universally available" filters. They had a SCTurbo for 2.50 Euros, but these are made in Turkey by a Turkish company and I have read negative comments about their filters (and anyway I have no intention of supporting Erdogan's regime/dictatorship).
They also had Hengst filters, German (but made where? -looks like some are Made in China, probably out of cat fur & cardboard) for 3.50 Euros.
I read that a shop right next to where I work should have original Delphi 296 filters for 6.35 Euros, so I might pop in there tomorrow to see if that's true.

I thought, after many hours running (200?), I might amuse myself and have a go at changing this little 296 filter just to see how dirty it is, and have looked at videos about this, and read some instructions from t'Net, but I'm not sure about how to bleed it all.  First, anyways, I thought I'd turn off the main tap from the fuel tank to reduce dripping before removing the filter; but when the new one is on, do I have to re-fill the new 296 by using a funnel and pouring diesel into it (from an old plastic Coke bottle?), or can I just open the bleed screw on the main fuel filter (that's the thing with the silver bowl below) and run the engine to pump fuel through (or turn the engine by hand?)?  And is the bleed screw on that the screw-thingy (for flat-head screwdriver) or the nut in the middle between the pipes?
Our lift pump priming lever does not seem to work 'in the normal way', so I am dubious as to whether pressing that is going to draw the fuel through.  Having never done this myself before, I thought I'd ask for advice.



There is a possiblity that your lift pump priming lever doesn't seem to work because the cam on the camshaft that's making this pump work is in the highest lifting position, and if that's the case the lever can't work.

Try it again when your crankshaft is in a different position, like after a 360° turn, but gazza's advise should do the trick too, it may be good to know if your pump is really not working with then handlever thought.

I must say that I'm worried that you're slowly killing that lovely engine with too many unneccesary oil changes, and now the fuel-filter, what's the next job going to be ?

Taking the cylinderhead off to check if the piston is still there ? 


Peter.

ps. that € 6.35 filter may be a re-branded Turkish or Chinese one in a Delphi box made by slimy Indians.

Try here www.ssldieselparts.co.uk/fuel-filter-delphi-hdf296-pk10-p-802.html

£2 a chuck, change em every other week 👌🔨🔨🍻