Replacing the fuel filter on a Volkswagen Polo

Clean fuel is the key to long and trouble-free operation of any car. This rule also applies to the Volkswagen Polo. The car is extremely picky about the quality of gasoline. Even minor problems with the fuel cleaning system can lead to serious engine failure. Can I change the filter myself? Yes. Let's find out how it's done.

Purpose of the fuel filter on the Volkswagen Polo

The fuel filter is the most important element of the Volkswagen Polo fuel system. Prevents dirt, rust and non-metallic impurities from entering the engine combustion chambers. The quality of gasoline offered at domestic gas stations often leaves much to be desired. In addition to the above impurities, household gasoline often also contains water, which is detrimental to any engine. The Volkswagen Polo fuel filter successfully retains this moisture, and this is another indisputable advantage of this device.

The device and resource of fuel filters

Volkswagen Polo, like most modern gasoline cars, has an injection system. The fuel in this system is supplied under enormous pressure to special gasoline injectors. Therefore, all fuel filters installed on injection vehicles have a durable steel housing. Inside the housing there is a filter element made of paper impregnated with a special composition. The filter paper is repeatedly folded "accordion". This solution allows to increase the area of ​​the filtering surface by 26 times. The principle of operation of the fuel filter is as follows:

• under the action of the fuel pump, gasoline from the tank enters the main fuel line (here it should be noted that a small filter element is built into the fuel pump of the Volkswagen Polo car. At the time of intake, it filters out large impurities with a particle size of up to 0,5 mm, which eliminates the need for separate general cleaning of the filter ); The Volkswagen Polo fuel filter is capable of retaining particles up to 0,1 mm in size
• through the tube of the main fuel line, gasoline enters the inlet fitting of the main fuel filter. There it passes through several layers of paper in the filter element, is cleaned from the smallest impurities up to 0,1 mm in size and enters the outlet connected to the main fuel rail. From there, the purified fuel is supplied under pressure to the nozzles located in the combustion chambers of the engine.

Fuel filter replacement intervals

The Volkswagen Polo manufacturer recommends changing fuel filters every 30 kilometers. It is this figure that is indicated in the operating instructions for the car. But taking into account the operating conditions and the quality of gasoline, specialists of domestic car services recommend changing filters every 20 thousand kilometers.

Location of the filter on the Volkswagen Polo

On the Volkswagen Polo, the fuel filter is located under the bottom of the car, next to the right rear wheel. To get to this device, the car will need to be installed on a flyover or viewing hole.

To get to the fuel filter on the Volkswagen Polo, the car will have to be put on a flyover

Causes of malfunction of the fuel filter

There are several reasons why a Volkswagen Polo fuel filter becomes completely unusable. Here:

• the filter has undergone internal corrosion due to excessive moisture condensation on the inner walls of the housing;

If there is too much moisture in gasoline, the fuel filter will quickly rust from the inside.

• due to low-quality gasoline, resinous deposits have accumulated on the walls of the housing and on the filter element, interfering with the purity of high-quality fuel;

The filter element suffers mainly from low-quality gasoline, clogging with viscous resin

• the water contained in gasoline freezes, and the resulting ice plug clogs the inlet fitting of the fuel filter;
• the fuel filter is just worn out. As a result, the filter element became clogged with impurities and became completely impassable.

• The filter element is completely clogged and can no longer pass gasoline

Consequences of a broken fuel filter

The above reasons that disable the fuel filter on the Volkswagen Polo have a number of consequences. Let's list them:

• the fuel consumption consumed by the car increases by one and a half, and sometimes even twice;
• the car engine runs intermittently and jerkily, which is especially noticeable on long climbs;
• the engine stops responding in a timely manner to pressing the accelerator pedal, noticeable power failures occur in its operation;
• the car stops abruptly even at idle;
• there is a “triple” of the engine, which is especially noticeable during acceleration.

If the driver observes one or more of the signs listed above, this means only one thing - it's time to change the fuel filter.

About the repair of fuel filters

Fuel filters in Volkswagen Polo vehicles are disposable devices and cannot be repaired. This is a direct consequence of its design: to date, there are no proven methods for cleaning clogged filter elements. The option of replacing a clogged element also cannot be taken seriously, since the fuel filter housing cannot be disassembled. Therefore, the filter element cannot be removed without breaking the housing. Therefore, a clogged filter can only be replaced with a new one.

Replacing the fuel filter on a Volkswagen Polo

Before changing the fuel filter for a Volkswagen Polo, let's decide on the tools and consumables. Here:

• new original gasoline filter for Volkswagen cars;
• flat screwdriver;
• crosshead screwdriver.

Sequence of work

When starting to replace the filter, you need to remember: all manipulations with the Volkswagen Polo fuel system begin with depressurization of the fuel rail. Without this preparatory stage, it is basically impossible to change the filter.

1. In the cabin, under the steering column of the Volkswagen Polo, a closed security unit with a plastic cover is installed. It is held on by two latches. You need to remove the cover and find a 15A fuse in the block and remove it. This is the fuel pump fuse (on later Volkswagen Polo models it is number 36 and blue).
2. Before replacing the filter, you must remove the fuse No. 36
3. Now that the vehicle is on the overpass, its engine will start and idle until it comes to a complete stop. This is necessary to completely relieve pressure in the fuel line.
4. Two high-pressure pipes are connected to the filter fittings, which are fastened with steel clamps with special clamps. First, the outlet fitting clamp is removed. To do this, use a screwdriver to press the latch while pulling the tube out of the filter. Similarly, the tube is removed from the inlet fitting.

1. The Volkswagen Polo fuel filter clamp is removed by simply pressing the blue lock
2. The fuel filter housing is supported by a large steel bracket. The screw holding the bracket is loosened with a Phillips screwdriver and then removed by hand. The Volkswagen Polo fuel filter mounting bracket is unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver

The filter, released from the fixture, is removed from its usual place (in addition, when removing the filter, it must be kept in a horizontal position so that the gasoline remaining in it does not spill onto the floor). When removing the fuel filter, it must be held strictly horizontally so that fuel does not spill onto the floor.

A new fuel filter is installed in its original place, after which the fuel system is reassembled.

So even a novice motorist who has held a screwdriver in his hands at least once in his life can replace the fuel filter with a Volkswagen Polo. All that is required for this is to consistently follow the recommendations given above.