TheSamba.com :: View topic - Can a diesel fuel filter be used with gasoline?

Sat Mar 05, 2011 10:16 am

Just wondering if I could use a remote mount diesel fuel filter set-up, like this one:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1052181

but run gasoline through it?

It would seem like a neat solution. Larger, easily changeable, no clamps to undo. wear out, leak fuel when changing the filter, and the assembly could be remote mounted to get it farther away from the engine, reduce potential fire and fumes.

Think that it might work? Is a diesel filter element so very different from one used for gasoline?

I don't know, but sure wondering.

Thanks !

TC

Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:21 am

I'm not really an engine guy ..but I've been around a number of diesels. Dirt is an issue, but water separation seems to be a major component of most 'diesel' fuel filters I have seen (and currently have on a J-D tractor) .. the one pictured does not seem to have that feature. (not obvious to me anyway...)

I'd also think F.I. needs a better filter than these crude little carbs we tend to have.. Why not add it tho'?! .. looks interesting.

Jim

Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:48 pm

That's kind of what I was thinking. Since the screw-on filter element would either have a water drain built in (cool if I got bad gas) or not (no biggie since most gas filters don't have a water separator anyway) I'd be ahead of things.

Plus, as you say, fuel injection (as in a diesel) requires a finer filter than the usual paper one in those clear plastic in-line filters that most VW guys use, so the diesel filter ought to work better.

I guess that I was most concerned with fuel pressure. Would the 3 PSI VW pump push the gas through the finer diesel filter?

Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:50 pm

I have been using these for years with really good results. Replacment filters available at just about any autoparts store.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-HPG1/

Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:02 pm

that's what we use on boats where it's a big problem and even bigger problem to be stranded by crud in your fuel.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/se..._separator

Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:56 am

The filter head that you picture, together with a spin-on diesel filter will work fine for gasoline. If you choose a filter with a water drain all the better but water ingress isn't really an issue using pump gas, not like it is for marine and for other users.