Freezing Diesel inline filter

Went to use the Defender this morning and as usual it started first time, but very lump. A quick check under the bonnet and the inline fuel filter I have added just before the lift pump is solid with wax.

I fitted the filter as a precaution following the rebuild, and it has proved to be a good idea.

It was minus 9degrees C this week and over a few days never above freezing. The cause is obviously the cold weather and that the car has sat most of the week.

my question to the great Sage’s of Landyzone is, should I remove the inline filter or what can I insulate it with that won’t result in a fire ?

Tirran said:

Went to use the Defender this morning and as usual it started first time, but very lump. A quick check under the bonnet and the inline fuel filter I have added just before the lift pump is solid with wax.

I fitted the filter as a precaution following the rebuild, and it has proved to be a good idea.

It was minus 9degrees C this week and over a few days never above freezing. The cause is obviously the cold weather and that the car has sat most of the week.

my question to the great Sage’s of Landyzone is, should I remove the inline filter or what can I insulate it with that won’t result in a fire ?

View attachment 303958View attachment 303958

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If you bring the filter inside, you may be able to warm it up and melt the wax. Or just open the housing and scrape it out.
Not sure what engine you have? The standard filtration systems on Defenders are usually adequate provided you change the filter elements regularly, so I don't really think the extra one is needed, especially as it looks like a cheapie.

Not quite sure why this has happened. Winter diesel should be OK to lower temperatures than that. If you don't use the vehicle much, maybe you have summer diesel still in the tank, so less additive than needed.
You can buy bottles of extra additive from farm suppliers and fuel merchants. so when you have got it going, maybe put a bit of that in the tank, be on the safe side.

Is the filter mesh too fine & stopping the wax?
Is the filter in the air flow from the engine fan causing more wind chill?
Piece of pipe lagging making a jacket will help.

Where is it actually situated under the bonnet?

But I would look around for a better fuel source, We use a premium brand in the winter as it supposedly goes to -30.

But there are many insulation products available for under bonnet use, But would you move the problem elsewhere not so easily fixed .

J

Thanks for the replies.

They are cheap eBay filters and really only a temporary solution. The fuel is from a good source and is new so not the summer type.

I’ve replaced it and if it happens again I‘ll probably remove it.

Tirran said:

Thanks for the replies.

They are cheap eBay filters and really only a temporary solution. The fuel is from a good source and is new so not the summer type.

I’ve replaced it and if it happens again I‘ll probably remove it.

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Best of luck. Keep us informed of how you get on.

Turboman said:

Best of luck. Keep us informed of how you get on.

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Fitting an extended heater pipe and wrapping it around the fuel line/filter may help, especially if you live out in the sticks ...

Dippypud said:

Fitting an extended heater pipe and wrapping it around the fuel line/filter may help, especially if you live out in the sticks ...

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I wonder if it could be to do with water in the fuel freezing.

I haven't had any problems with fuel waxing for decades, I think because the winter diesel is pretty good now.

When we use 1 of them filters on petrol engines they never seem to fill up.
Could the lack of fluid be a cause?

We Have 1 of these fitted & you can dismantle to remove the filter to clean
But also these don’t fill up to the brim

Hicap phill said:

When we use 1 of them filters on petrol engines they never seem to fill up.
Could the lack of fluid be a cause?

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We put one on the Series petrol, always looked half empty.

What engine is it?
My son's 200tdi is always a little rough when cold, also has a habit of blocking the fuel filter for some reason.

Anaconda said:

What engine is it?
My son's 200tdi is always a little rough when cold, also has a habit of blocking the fuel filter for some reason.

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A 200TDi can have a Baby Bottle warmer fitted to the filter housing, 12V too ...

It wouldn't solve other issues but if you were to just boil your kettle and dribble it over that filter, it would have resolved that (single) issue, without even having to remove it.

Hicap phill said:

When we use 1 of them filters on petrol engines they never seem to fill up.
Could the lack of fluid be a cause?

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They fill up almost instantly from empty, the lift pump is new so down to the waxing in the filter being the cause.
i’ll check the new filter I fitted yesterday before I start it this morning as it was Baltic last night.

Tirran said:

They fill up almost instantly from empty, the lift pump is new so down to the waxing in the filter being the cause.
i’ll check the new filter I fitted yesterday before I start it this morning as it was Baltic last night.

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All ok this morning, and ran well when used.