Freelander 1 TD4 2001/2002 fuel filter removal (engine compartment) resolved

Greetings all,

There are a number of threads here regarding the fuel filter removal for the Freelander but what little discussion I've seen regarding the earlier engine compartment version hasn't helped me. I did remove the ECU box and could get to the filter/pump assembly easily enough but there is no way to bring just the filter out vertically thanks to a flat metal bracket just above it that supports the ECU box. This bracket seems unremovable. Nor can I separate the filter housing from the pump housing as they are joined in one unit. If I unbolt the filter/pump assembly from the wheel well it is somewhat free except for the incoming fuel line at the bottom of the pump. It looks like disconnecting that hose would free the whole assembly but the hose is connected with a crimped metal collar which I'd have to break and there's no room to work with down there, and I'd be reluctant to even try given my skill set. So I'm stuck with no way to get the filter out even though I have reasonable access to it with tools.

For now I've just reassembled everything while I cast about for a solution.

Has anyone been there already and can give me some advice? I would be very appreciative. And as I just bought the filter from the Land dealer yesterday, finding a solution would mean not having to return asking them to install it!

Here are a few images to show situ. The red cap is on the offending bracket.

ETA: this is a LHD vehicle

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/fuel-filter-on-td4.24449/

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/td4-removing-an-under-bonnet-fuel-pump-filter.170336/

http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f11/td4-fuel-filter-removal-5611/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sou.......0...1.2.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.RAeyg1Z09_o

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yootoob search was fruitless .. :-

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hd3, thanks for the links, had seen the Landyzone ones already but they didn't seem to address my situation. For one thing I simply couldn't find that small screw that seems to be so important. But after reviewing your links I went out again with a mirror and flashlight and by golly I found the screw. So I guess I'll be taking another stab at it next week, but I'm sceptical that this little screw is what's keeping the filter in place. I must be missing something. Guess I'll know better next week. I'll be sure to post again when I know more.

When the screw is removed you have to lift the housing and filter of its bracket.
The screw stops the housing from jumping off.
A long magnetic screwdriver and patience to replace.

+1 There is a screw that you can't see. Maybe a mirror and light would help.

Happy to report that I managed to replace the fuel filter today. Following a suggestion by Nodge in another thread that removing the fusebox would give me access to the bolts holding the ECU bracket in, I dug into it again this morning. After removing the ECU box I undid the three 10 mm nuts holding down the fusebox. After disconnecting the main incoming lead I was able to move the fusebox above and back just enough to get to the three 15 mm nuts holding the bracket in place (after removing the black plastic cover and undoing two or three simple wire connections for better access). Once the offending bracket was removed the space directly above the filter opened up completely and with little further ado I was able to remove the filter from its plastic housing. Following advice I'd seen in an earlier thread I had sprayed some WD40 into the housing the other day hoping it would make a difference; maybe it had because the filter came right out on the first good tug. Once I had everything back together the engine started up after only two or three turns which surprised me a bit given what I'd read, but I did leave the key on for several seconds before engaging the starter, maybe this helped prime the filter. Nor, luckily, had I lost much if any fuel when disconnecting the hoses.

Webley and Alibro, as for that small screw, even if I had removed it I would not have been able to get the filter out because the short incoming fuel line to the pump doesn't allow for enough lateral movement. All in all, looking back it really wasn't that bad. It's just that an awful lot of stuff had to come out first and I kept thinking that there had to be a better way. In fact, there may well be, but at least it's done. Thank you one and all for your input, every little bit helped I assure you.

Here are a couple of photos -- the empty filter housing, and the removed ECU bracket on the bench.

Been a long time since I did it!!!!!

That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Well done for sticking at it.

Alibro, ha ha, it's just that you do this sort of stuff in your sleep, that's why you don't remember. Besides, my setup might be a little different than the RHD vehicles you have.

Thanks for updating the thread with how you solved the problem - lots don’t. This can make a thread search a frustrating exercise.

You're very welcome. Given the amount of help I got it was the least I could do.