Disco 2 ACE Filter Replacement

One job that I know has never been done on my 2003 Disco 2 Td5 is changing the ACE filter. Some questions I have:

• Has anyone just removed and cleaned the (stainless steel?) filter? Is it okay to just clean and re-use (assume you would ideally need to get a new o-ring if doing so) rather than buying a new filter which seems to be a bit pricey?
• Genuine LR filter is over three times the price of OEM (c. AUD160 vs AUD50 - rimmer brothers as an example), so would be good to keep original and thoroughly clean and then buy an o-ring seal?
• Is there no filter in the power steering system like there is with the ACE?
• Looks like there is a weir in the combined ACE/Power Steering dual reservoir which allows the fluids to mix - is that right? (Would explain then how the steel filter on the ACE side would also ultimately filter the PAS fluid from the power steering reservoir)

I see from the www.discovery2.co.uk website that the drain hex plug on the ACE block can be very hard to remove (steel plug in aluminium housing). The best I have is a 30cm long breaker bar, so will have to try that and some penetrating fluid to start with and buy a can of butane for some heat if necessary.

Intestinalworm said:

Is it okay to just clean and re-use (assume you would ideally need to get a new o-ring if doing so) rather than buying a new filter which seems to be a bit pricey?

Click to expand...

It's good enough if you clean the filter with petrol or something

Intestinalworm said:

Looks like there is a weir in the combined ACE/Power Steering dual reservoir which allows the fluids to mix - is that right?

Click to expand...

No, the fluids are not mixing, there is a permannent filter in the tank's outlet so you can try to clean that together with the tank or replace the tank(maybe that's why they sheduled it as maintainance to be replaced at iirc 200k km)

from WSM - STEERING - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 57-7
......
A filter of fine polyester mesh is moulded into the base of the chamber. The filter removes particulate matter from the
fluid before it is drawn into the supply connection and is non-serviceable
......

When I had my TD5 I replaced the ACE filter, was most psisied when I realised it was just a gauze affair and could be cleaned, bloody expensive Iirc!

I fitted one to the block I first used but just cleaned the original once that was converted.

sierrafery said:

It's good enough if you clean the filter with petrol or something
No, the fluids are not mixing, there is a permannent filter in the tank's outlet so you can try to clean that together with the tank or replace the tank(maybe that's why they sheduled it as maintainance to be replaced at iirc 200k km)

from WSM - STEERING - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 57-7
......
A filter of fine polyester mesh is moulded into the base of the chamber. The filter removes particulate matter from the
fluid before it is drawn into the supply connection and is non-serviceable
......

Click to expand...

Okay, will see if I can extract the filter - bit of penetrating fluid and maybe heat if required (several descriptions out there of what to do - looks like removing the seal is potentially the hard bit). Will clean it up with petrol and a toothbrush and let it thoroughly dry as you suggested. Thing is, just wondered re O-ring(s). Part RVJ100010 (filter) looks like it comes with two O-rings: one fitted on filter and one free. I've looked around and can't find the O-ring(s) for sale separately and can't find part numbers or specs for them. It would be good if I could purchase the correct size O-ring(s) - assuming they're Viton - before I remove the filter? Of course, I could just re-use the existing O-ring(s) and hopefully there is no leak after I reinstall the cleaned filter?

Any suggestions anyone/specs on O-ring(s)?

I bought something like this made in germany years ago: https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/seal-o-ring-kits/7058958/ and i remember that i found the proper o-ring in it for the filter, it was usefull when i replaced the aircon compressor and condenser too and for many other purposes but friends of mine removed and refitted the filter without changing the o-ring and nobody complained.