Starting problems after filter change

Hey everyone.
I've had my 2003 Disco 2 for a year tomorrow and so far its never given me a problem. Finally got around to replacing the fuel filter last week, should have been done with the service a couple of months ago but I've only just gotten around to it. Filter changed, for a couple of days not a problem. Then in the morning it was taking a moment to start, cranking fine but taking a bit longer to fire. Its started getting worse until one night last week it cut out after stopping at the end of the motorway exit slip road and wouldn't start, bled the fuel system and it started up fine. I figured the only things that's changed since this started is the filter so I've got a new one and replaced it again yesterday. Done 3 trips today and around 80 miles trouble free but I've just come to start it again, with no joy. Bled the fuel system and cranked it with the accelerator down and eventually it started.

Any ideas what could be causing this? There's a million threads on similar issues but half of them seem to contradict each other. Just wondering if anyone who knows the discos better than me can give me a checklist to go through. Any helps appreciated!

Often corrosion on top of the fuel sender unit letting in air, or further down on the pickup pipe
If the latter then putting more fuel in her will help until it drops below the hole,

Europa486 said:

Often corrosion on top of the fuel sender unit letting in air, or further down on the pickup pipe
If the latter then putting more fuel in her will help until it drops below the hole,

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TD5 sender & pick up is part of the pump and plastic?

Did you make sure the old center seal came off with the old filter ?

First of all change the air bleed valve in the rear wheel side port of the filter housing (WJN500110) and if after that is still making tricks it's time for injector copper washers IMO

Always good to go back over what you have done with new issues, ie remove filter and check everything, if it was okay before it is 99 percent something you have done/touched/disturbed.

sierrafery said:

First of all change the air bleed valve in the rear wheel side port of the filter housing (WJN500110) and if after that is still making tricks it's time for injector copper washers IMO

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yep, I’d go for this also

100% try the air bleed valve first. If you have not had any issues with air in the lines, and the air bleed is faulty, you wont notice. Changing the fuel filter introduces a load of air, and it cant be expelled, as the bleed valve isnt working. I replaced the whole filter head as the fixing holes had broken off. If you have a fuel pressure tester, connect that and use it to bleed off the fuel gallery in the head... Mine was full of foamy fuel.

Hi guys, quick question. Can I remove the air bleed valve to check without removing the fuel filter? I see I can manually do it, but is it ok to do? We have just gone into lock down and I have the same problem as above but no spare fuel filter to put back on if I remove the current one. Thanks

Disconzbop said:

Can I remove the air bleed valve to check without removing the fuel filter?

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Hi, yes you can