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MatLandy

Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Paris
Posts: 202

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

Fuel filter orientation

Maybe I've been overthinking this ... but I had a fight changing the fuel filter on my Puma and tried to understand why it required so much force to slide the new filter up into the mounting head (before turning it into the locked position).

So here are my findings ... hopefully it makes sense.

The lock / unlock signs on the filter header are located on the side against the chassis, hence not visible.
This is not very smart of Land Rover. Picture below of the lock / unlock signs. If these were visible by the individual changing the filter, well, it would have helped a lot to ensure new filter is installed 100%

Click image to enlarge

The fuel filter has 3 lugs, that needs to be aligned with the corresponding recess on the header when pushing the filter up to install it, and before rotating it clockwise to lock it. This gives 3 possible positions to insert the filter in the header, each one 120 degree from the other.
But only 1 of the 3 position is correct and properly aligns the lock sign on the filter with the lock sign on the header. The filter also has raised “keys” (or bulge) on the upper unpainted metal area. There is one square "key" (or bulge), that "key" needs to be properly aligned with corresponding recess on the mounting head when offering the filter up in the head. Otherwise it's a fight to slide the filter up.

I made a corresponding white marker on the mounting head to align with the square "key" (or bulge) on the filter for the next time I change it. Another picture to visualize what I'm trying to explain.

Click image to enlarge

/Mat

Last edited by MatLandy on 2nd Apr 2025 8:02am. Edited 2 times in total

26th Mar 2025 5:09pm

andy63

Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 784

they can be a pain to twist and lock into position so you are confident that its right...
and because I know this im careful to take note of the orientation of the old filter when removing it and dropping it out of the head...and make sure the new one is offered up in the same orientation...
you usually feel the little give when its lined up and ready to push in, but as said the twist to lock can be a pain, and diesel on can and hands doesn't help

26th Mar 2025 5:48pm

Waka56

Member Since: 08 Nov 2023
Location: Hamburg
Posts: 171

I find it even worse removing it to be honest, to scared to pull sometimes as I'm never sure if that's the unlocked position

Making my Defender great again. (Or trying to at least xD)

26th Mar 2025 5:54pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20902

It’s a bayonet fitting, but iirc you are righ, a more clear indicator of it being locked in the correct place in a visible location would have been preferable. _\Hennessey|Venom| F5/___
___\⭐️Lone|Star|State/___
____\We|Will|Win/___
____/🇬🇧🇺🇸\____
_//*⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰*\\_

26th Mar 2025 7:51pm

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2478

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White

By the way, I got this picture for those curious how this wonderful plastic crap looks inside

Click image to enlarge Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

27th Mar 2025 12:06pm

Pat

Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 370

Informative thread.

I haven't experienced the joy of a Puma fuel filter change before, but plan to change my filter in the next day or so.

It sounds as if it may take a few attempts to get the new filter element sitting correctly, so I'm wondering, .... when the old filter is removed, does diesel continue to drain away from the filter housing or does it drain for only a short while and then stop? Trying to figure out what size container might be needed to collect the draining diesel. It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!

6th Jul 2025 9:15pm

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2478

Most if not all the fuel will be contained in the filter. Maybe you can drain it through the drain plug before removing the filter. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

6th Jul 2025 9:25pm

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3582

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Re: Fuel filter orientation

MatLandy wrote:

So here are my findings ... hopefully it makes sense.

The lock / unlock signs on the filter header are located on the side against the chassis, hence not visible.

/Mat

LandRover installed it on the wrong side of the chassis for the Tdci... but the fuel cooler is on the correct side.. but I guess no one from the JLR engineers could figure that out as thats what always was done for the Td5. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

7th Jul 2025 2:08pm

Pat

Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 370

MK wrote:
Most if not all the fuel will be contained in the filter. Maybe you can drain it through the drain plug before removing the filter.

Thanks for the response.

So, on removing the old filter, the only fuel spillage comes from the filter itself and there's no continuous flow of diesel? It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!

7th Jul 2025 9:20pm

Johan_B

Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 112

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green

That is how I remember it. No spilling of diesel whatsoever. Ideally the changeover shouldn’t take more than a few seconds and it is definitely not shooting out diesel.

7th Jul 2025 10:12pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20902

Don’t forget to pre fill the fuel filter right to the brim before fitting.

_\Hennessey|Venom| F5/___
___\⭐️Lone|Star|State/___
____\We|Will|Win/___
____/🇬🇧🇺🇸\____
_//*⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰*\\_

7th Jul 2025 10:21pm

HardCharger

Member Since: 03 Mar 2013
Location: Manila
Posts: 775

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Is there a better, metal version of the head the filter screws into? I'm not very confident of that plastic one we're using right now.

Pioneer has one for the TD5 but I don't think we can use it with the TD4 Pumas. No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy

8th Jul 2025 8:53am

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