Have an A3/B4 TDI with air in the fuel? Here's a cheap quick fix

[GTiTDi]

I had persistent air in my 98 Jetta TDI's fuel lines, a constant stream of bubbles.  Instead of buying a new 40 dollar "thermo tee" I swapped in a filter meant for an 86 diesel. Spliced the return lines with 1/4" brake line. No more air.

edit* ANY YEAR MK2 diesel filter will work in this application. I used 1986 as a reference point to simplify the ordering process for people like me who are used to dealing with the auto parts store robot parts people...

THERE ISN"T ANYTHING PARTICULARLY SPECIAL ABOUT AN 86 M.Y. FILTER!!!!!!!!
 

[410]

I did this on an ahu converted to a mechanical pump but I always wondered if this would trip a low fuel temp code.  Please let us know your long term results!

[GTiTDi]

so far no noticeable issues except FLAWLESS STARTING!!! A fellow TDI club member has been running an 86 Jetta filter in his 98 AHU for 8 years no problems...

[410]

so far no noticeable issues except FLAWLESS STARTING!!! A fellow TDI club member has been running an 86 Jetta filter in his 98 AHU for 8 years no problems...

Good to know, thanks.

[R.O.R-2.0]

whats soo special about the 86 jetta filter in particular?

[410]

whats soo special about the 86 jetta filter in particular?

It's the older style filter with only one inlet and outlet.  I'm sure you've seen them.  The return goes to the tank instead of going to the filter.

[R.O.R-2.0]

whats soo special about the 86 jetta filter in particular?

It's the older style filter with only one inlet and outlet.  I'm sure you've seen them.  The return goes to the tank instead of going to the filter.

so, its just a mk1/earlymk2 filter then? nothing specific to an 86 jetta?

i thought it may have been, since everyone was talking about the 86 jetta filter IN PARTICULAR..

[Baron VonZeppelin]

85-87 Jetta Golf Dzl

I've been swapping them into the later Mk2's routinely - ridding the thermo T's - that none have worked when tested afterwards anyhow.

Good to know that no complications follow when used on AHU.
I just put a new fuel filter on my friends AHU.
Next time it will get the 85-87 filter swap !

[GTiTDi]

whats soo special about the 86 jetta filter in particular?

It's the older style filter with only one inlet and outlet.  I'm sure you've seen them.  The return goes to the tank instead of going to the filter.

so, its just a mk1/earlymk2 filter then? nothing specific to an 86 jetta?

i thought it may have been, since everyone was talking about the 86 jetta filter IN PARTICULAR..

Don't start getting loud on my thread kevin, RELAX there is nothing PARTICULARLY special about an 86 m.y. filter, it is just a way of being specific so when someone is ordering one from a typical supplier who demands to know "year make and model" will have a quick answer. Try ordering parts from Autozone of advanced by part number. They are usually like