I'm so proud of myself, I changed the air filter in my Volvo Dl 240 1989. I saved $40.00 doing it myself. Now I want to change the fuel filter, but I can not find it underneath my car. Where is it?

Thanks,
-Darin

 

Congrats! But why would you want to change the fuel filter? I never change a fuel filter unless there is a symptom that would indicate a need to change it. I'll probably get many opposing views and I welcome the discussion... But over the years I've rarely changed a fuel filter just because the "book" says so. Usually a fuel filter change is done as the "shotgun" approach to a poorly running engine, i.e. "I have no idea what's wrong but let's just do everything and hope that the problem is one of those things". This approach is of course great for mechanics who get someone else to pay for their explorations, but as DIYer it rarely makes sense.

 

Its right next to the main pump, under the car, if front of the rear driver's side tire. The fittings will be VERY tight. Use new copper washers.

A better choice for replacement may be the "sock" on the in-tank fuel pump.

 

Congratulation Darin, you not only saved money, you know it was done with quality parts and done right, more than I can say for some jiffy type places.

I would agree with both the above post but with a caveat which is, I may not be the only person driving the car. While I know an errant noise and how the car should sound, my two girls don't (plus the radio is always full blast anyway).

What I try to avoid is the "Dad the car won't start" phone call at 11 pm on a rainy Saturday night. To me it's well worth $20 and half an hour on a nice spring afternoon.

Filters do clog and the in tank sock can rot away letting obstruction into the fuel line. Clogged filters also make the pumps work harder which shortens the pumps life and an overloaded pump also pulls higher current through the 20 year old wiring harness.

On the other hand, the learning curve is short but steep on some of these PMs tasks. Getting the pump out of the tank can be tricky and the pump under the the car is a bear the first time you try to break those nuts, plus you're usually on your back with about 6 inches of clearance, gas dripping everywhere. But that's were these BBs come in, advice and counsel.

Does Volvo have a conservative maintenance schedule? Could you get by with half the PMs they recommend? Some say yes including some fleet managers I know, but I say that's one of the main reasons the car last so long. Conservative PMs, including proactive part replacement.

OK... now I'll get off the soap box..

 

I'm going to wait on the in tank fuel pump because I suck and it'll take awhile for me to get that courage.

Concerning the outter fuel filter, where do I buy these copper washers? And since the fittings are very tight, how do I get them off?

 

The fuel filter and copper washers are available from FCP and other sources.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/category-ex...116/by_year/39

 

I always change fuel filters when I buy a used car unless documentation tells me it's recently ben done. Every time I have changed a fuel filter in an EFI vehicle, I have noticed better running, particularly under load and generally smootehr running. Bear in mind this pertains to highe rmileage older vehicles. I've cut a couple of filters open that I've replaced and the insides tell me I did the right thing. Filter restriction affects fuel flow and is hard on pumps.
I tend to change fuel filters every 100k kms (60k miles) or so.

Regards, Andrew.

 

I can summarize by saying you use to wrenches, but what you really need to know can be found in the Bentley manual:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe.../category_id/1

The procedure they give is pretty good. Its worth the money!!

 

Copper washers come with the filter.

 

:-) .....

 

Mine's right above my engine mounted at the top of the cowl. But that's only on '75s, so I'm more bragging than anything else.

 

Wow, you are so cool.

includes the 4 copper washers which are required
Manufacturer
Bosch
Part Number
71039
OEM Number
71039, 1389562
Condition
New
MSRP
$28.14
Price Each $10.97
Availability In Stock

 

It's no fun replacing the under-car main fuel filter. Go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com and read the humor article, "Can an Ex-Physicist Fix His Volvo No-Start?" My problem was the main fuel pump for the no-start and, of course, I replaced the main fuel filter alongside it.

 

Man, I already bought a fuel filter. Is Bosch brand the best to use for this, or is a 3rd party brand ok?