diesel filter drain????help!!!! - Sprinter-Forum

rangerxtr! · 06-22-2012, 03:33 AM

i have a 2002 sprinter with 13.000miles(the van sat for a long time...before i got it)now i am doing 100miles a day...the filter light lights up after starting the van and then shuts of after 4 sec....it has no logic in changing the filter .....can i just drain it?......i found the drain .....and if i drain, is it a problem that i start it up with out diesel in it??? thanks!!!

autostaretx · 06-22-2012, 03:59 AM

The 2002 does not have a fuel pump back at the tank.
The only pump is on the engine side of the filter.
If you try to start with an empty filter (especially if the fuel has dropped back down to the tank through the lines) you may be faced with a LOT of cranking time, which is not nice to the starter or the battery.
It's better to refill the filter, or at least not drain it completely (the water's at the bottom, but the drain may selectively pull from there)

--dick

NelsonSprinter · 06-22-2012, 05:07 AM

If the the fuel filter light goes out 5 seconds after starting an '02, everything is in great working condition and no draining is required. It is always the last light to go out on mine.
Opening the drain screw it may just displace the O-ring and it may let in air into your fuel line and cause starting problems until the O-ring is replaced.

06-22-2012, 03:33 AM	#1
rangerxtr! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: renton,wa Posts: 35 Thanks: 25 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	diesel filter drain????help!!!! i have a 2002 sprinter with 13.000miles(the van sat for a long time...before i got it)now i am doing 100miles a day...the filter light lights up after starting the van and then shuts of after 4 sec....it has no logic in changing the filter .....can i just drain it?......i found the drain .....and if i drain, is it a problem that i start it up with out diesel in it??? thanks!!!

06-22-2012, 03:59 AM	#2
autostaretx Erratic Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,807 Thanks: 475 Thanked 1,131 Times in 900 Posts	Re: diesel filter drain????help!!!! The 2002 does not have a fuel pump back at the tank. The only pump is on the engine side of the filter. If you try to start with an empty filter (especially if the fuel has dropped back down to the tank through the lines) you may be faced with a LOT of cranking time, which is not nice to the starter or the battery. It's better to refill the filter, or at least not drain it completely (the water's at the bottom, but the drain may selectively pull from there) --dick __________________ 2005 T1N 118" Freightliner 2500 Passenger Wagon (2.7L, 15" tires, standard (short) roof)

06-22-2012, 05:07 AM	#3
NelsonSprinter Nelson BC Sprinter Owner Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Nelson, Kootenay Rockies, BC, Canada Posts: 610 Thanks: 81 Thanked 152 Times in 119 Posts	Re: diesel filter drain????help!!!! If the the fuel filter light goes out 5 seconds after starting an '02, everything is in great working condition and no draining is required. It is always the last light to go out on mine. Opening the drain screw it may just displace the O-ring and it may let in air into your fuel line and cause starting problems until the O-ring is replaced. __________________ '02 FL 2500 140WB Cargo door windows, 15" Alloys, LT235/75R15-E Nokian Rotiivas, Nokian Hakka C studded winters, Curt 4 hitch, 3.72 rear with 30MPG Canadian

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