[Vwdiesel] Fuel filter weirdness

[Scott Kair]

>Is it worth replacing the valve or should I just use an older filter?<

    The newer style filter is at least $10 US more than the older ones, from
aftermarket sources.  The valve isn't excruciatingly expensive- under $20
for two- but they are a dealer only item.  The plastic tends to crack with
age when you change filters, but it doesn't become apparent immediately- you
just develop aggravating symptoms of a fuel leak or sucking air that are
difficult to track down the first time it happens.
    The valve is a metallic disk that opens or closes at around +50F; it
sends warmer return fuel from the pump back to the pump.
    I replaced the valve and stayed with the newer style filter.  It only
got down to about -5 or -10F last winter, but the engine didn't seem to
stumble nearly as much at colder temp startup.
    HTH,
    Scott Kair