Elusive diesel filter

[Jofang]

We have a 2016 Hymer with a 3 litre Fiat motor. I have a warning on the dash to give attention to the fuel filter, but can I find it! I've watched YouTube videos of removing & replacing the element just to find out where it's located but none of videos is for the 3 litre motor. At present I cannot even see the filter let alone proceed to remove it. It's quite apparent I shall need to dismantle other components to get at it but which components? Is the filter located above the engine or below, is it on the nearside or offside, or is it not in the engine compartment at all?

 

[gus-lopez]

Hopefully someone with a 3 litre will be along to help.

 

[tonka]

Are you trying to look for a metal filter ?? Some year models had a plastic cover fitted so i may be there and inside the plastic housing.
I didnt think the location would be any different but stand to be corrected

 

[Nirvanauk]

looking at the engine bay mine is top right.

 

[Gromett]

Are you trying to look for a metal filter ?? Some year models had a plastic cover fitted so i may be there and inside the plastic housing.
I didnt think the location would be any different but stand to be corrected

I think every vehicle designer should be forced to do each of the regular maintenance tasks on vehicle they design 100 times before it can go into production.
So they have to change the cabin filter, the air filter, the fuel filter and the oil filter (minimum) 100 times before a vehicle is released.

I am sure they would then try to make maintenance tasks as easy as possible rather than as hard as possible. Jeez.

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[Jofang]

I'm a retired engineer and I restore BMW motorbikes as a hobby. I have a garage full of Snap-on and I'm well capable of replacing the fikter/element if I could only find it. I'm assuming it's in the engine compartment but two in depth searches with a torch have failed to find it. It's so crammed under the bonnet I know I'm going to have to remove some components to get at it, if only I knew where it was.

 

[Stoosal]

Is it top right as you look at engine, right on bulkhead under windscreen?

 

[TheBig1]

on the firewall right of centre above the engine. As it's 2016 should be the metal cannister not the PITA plastic one that leaks for fun

 

[Nirvanauk]

Top right on mine and its the 3L

 

[gus-lopez]

I am sure they would then try to make maintenance tasks as easy as possible rather than as hard as possible. Jeez.

but the companies have no interest in making it easy do they? They want you to take it to a main dealer & pay them again.

I had a vehicle where the manufacturer stated the engine had to come out on the front subframe to change the cam belt???. Fortunately it was just possible to do in the 40mm gap between engine & chassis rail

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[Jofang]

I've watched the YouTube videos of changing a filter element on a Ducato and you can see the filter unit in the video clearly, against the right hand side of the bulkhead. However, on the 3 litre I can't even see or get my hand in there to trace the fuel lines, as it's so jam parked under the bonnet, unlike the smaller Ducato's on YouTube.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I think every vehicle designer should be forced to do each of the regular maintenance tasks on vehicle they design 100 times before it can go into production.
So they have to change the cabin filter, the air filter, the fuel filter and the oil filter (minimum) 100 times before a vehicle is released.

I am sure they would then try to make maintenance tasks as easy as possible rather than as hard as possible. Jeez.

If only it was down to the designers unfortunately, the bean counters (accountants) have had a input on layout by trying to save pennies on the factory build so saving a few minutes labour time, once it's sold its down to the dealers to pass on the extended labour times, this is why on quite a few newer vehicles you have to remove a bumper and headlight just to fit a bulb.

 

[Two on Tour]

The OP has an "A" class so may not be mounted in the same place as a coach built or PVC.

 

[eurajohn]

I'm presuming yours is an A class, on the standard cab version it is easier to remove the left hand headlamp for easier view / access.

 

[Jofang]

Our Hymer is a 2016 coachbuilt B878SL, 9 metres long, 5 tons, 3 litre Fiat.

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[Jofang]

Correction, our Hymer is an A class.

 

[Nigel P]

Albeit a much older model ours is a 3L Fiat A class and the filter sits against the bulkhead more or less above the nearside wheel arch. The inlet/outlet pipes are push lock types and the sensor plug sits underneath the unit. Easy to unbolt the whole unit, disconnect fuel lines and sensor plug, mine has the plastic body with a screw top which is notorious for leaks! Granted not much access on an A class but fairly straight forward job, 30 mins tops for a simple filter element swap.
You just need arms that bend both ways and eyes that see round corners!

 

[Jofang]

Great information, thank you. I doubt if mine will be any different than yours.