Hengst Diesel Filters - A warning...

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Nov 2006, 16:38

For a while now I have been trying to understand why I've been experiencing starting difficulties after an overnight stop on the 205D.

I am posting this in the Citroen part of forum as the Xantia uses the same type of filter, as do many Pugs.

All the symptoms I had pointed to air in the fuel lines.

Here, in the end, was the cause. A pattern Hengst fuel filter. It was pushing up the lid of the fuel filter and admitting air.

The pictures show a new one and the old one on the right. The old one was very difficult to remove from the housing as it had swollen out of shape and the filter element had spilled out of the bottom. A disctinct bow can be seen in the top of the filter. The discolouration and distortion of the plastic suggests the body is made of something that is not very diesel resistant.

I have posted large pictures to make the swelling and distortion clear.

I just hope the swelling has not fractured the filter housing

This particucular one was bought from ECP about four months ago and has seen no more than about 900 miles use as the car is very lightly used.

So, if you have one of these in your car get it replaced very rapidly. If you are offered one refuse it! The brand-new example I still have will be thrown away pronto.

It has now been replaced by a traditional metal type.

I'm worried now as all my fleet have Hengst oil filters fitted. They are going to be changed tomorrow.

Any one else seen anything like this?

np · Post by np » 18 Nov 2006, 17:02

I`ve been using them for yonks on my Xantia,& now have 1 to fit to my 406.All from ECP`s.I`ve never had any trouble myself with them.But interesting photos.Will keep an eye out on mine.
Maybe it came from a bad batch.

Post by **philhoward** » 18 Nov 2006, 21:05

I'm rather worried about the fact that the glue from the bottom looks like it's about to be "let loose"...I've only ever used Purflux and don't intend using anything else.

I'm a bit of a GSF man myself - their closest store is convenient for me and i find their website easier to navigate..the ECP one seems to offer 238,000 categories of parts, but most them seem empty!

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Nov 2006, 21:42

philhoward wrote:I'm rather worried about the fact that the glue from the bottom looks like it's about to be "let loose"...

Quite. In fact it HAD let loose and had gone distinctly soft like RTV silicone.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 18 Nov 2006, 23:38

Jim -

Please contact your UK Hengst agent :
http://www.hengst.de/conpresso/en_start/index.php

There is a fair risc that you have got a cheap far-east (illegal) copy product not holding the specs.

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 19 Nov 2006, 13:02

Looks like a bootleg one even from this distance.

You would expect Hengst to be able to write in French.
Fuel filter is ‘Filtre à carburant’, not ‘Filtre á carburant’.
Actually, ‘á’ doesn’t exist in French, but the bootleggers don’t know that.
In this context, it’s also ‘Qualité d’équipement original’, not ‘originale’,
because the original refers to the equipment, which is male in French,
while the quality is female.

You should be able to take the lot back, but the supplier has probably been had too.

Post by **philhoward** » 19 Nov 2006, 13:08

Do bootleggers like to get caught out? Or is it one of those "its slightly different so copyright on the box design doesn't count" tricks?

I'd play safe and take them back...

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 19 Nov 2006, 23:35

Right -

After consultations with AlanS & BernieLugg I've decided to unlock this thread.
It will of course be in the interest of all members to know the outcome of this very serious issue.
But please folks - no nagging on the company or product as this could violate legislation.

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 20 Nov 2006, 01:18

http://www.hengst.de/conpresso/en_news/ ... ie=en_news

Hengst deals a successful blow against brand piracy
More than 200,000 filters released for destruction

Münster/Malta – The customs authorities in Malta destroyed more than 200,000 car filters last Monday. This concerned Chinese
plagiarisms of the Hengst brand. The court in Malta ordered the destruction of the filters, so that the forged products could not enter the market.

"This is a major success for us. Through the trading of fakes, not only significant losses occur, but also the reputation of our brand is at stake, when inferior fakes are sold under our name", explains Rolf Sudmann, Member of the Board of Hengst and responsible for the Sales Aftermarket division. "To secure long-term sales for the entire independent aftermarket (spare part business), it is important that we, as brand manufacturers, proceed against product piracy consequentially and with intense toughness", emphasised the Sales Director.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 20 Nov 2006, 08:33

Clogzz wrote:Looks like a bootleg one even from this distance.
You would expect Hengst to be able to write in French.
Fuel filter is ‘Filtre à carburant’, not ‘Filtre á carburant’.
Actually, ‘á’ doesn’t exist in French, but the bootleggers don’t know that.
In this context, it’s also ‘Qualité d’équipement original’, not ‘originale’,
because the original refers to the equipment, which is male in French,
while the quality is female.
You should be able to take the lot back, but the supplier has probably been had too.

http://www.diediy.com/DIYMATEDB/shop/image3/3376.jpg

I realise this isn't a french version but even so, there's a few notable
packaging differences - which is newest!!?

Andrew

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 20 Nov 2006, 13:20

You could only tell it’s an imitation of the newest design if you’re already familiar with it.
Otherwise, the only clues may be the messy brand lettering and number on the filter.
Most would not notice.

Goods that are produced in Germany generally do not come from China to Europe by sea

Like the sarcasm !

China has a long-established record in bootlegging.
With all the talk of globalisation and ‘free trade’,

we’ll see a lot more bootleg.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 21 Nov 2006, 14:54

Original company logo :

Compare this (including the colours !) with the box seen on Jim's photo :

(B u m p

)

np · Post by np » 21 Nov 2006, 20:49

Took a photo of my filter box but cant upload it.
Anyway,the top of the box logo is per Anders pic above,in dark blue.As is the lower blue on the box.Also the wording is per Clogzz`s post.Shame i cant upload it,must be my acount.Will try again & post it if i can.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 21 Nov 2006, 21:15

Don't jump to conclusions over minor graphic changes! As I've said here
earlier, which is the definitive OEM packaging AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME!

Is this an old pic, a wonky copy or the correct as-bought-from a 100% genuine supplier's filter!?

Graphic Design agencies spend all their time reinventing existing client logos
and product packaging where a layman may not even notice a difference.
Some companies don't like a radical change in direction with the 'feel' or look
of their literature and other communication media, and a whole brand image
may take years to hone and build - though some clients DO prefer to review/
upgrade everything every 4-5 years as a matter of policy.

Money for old rope you may say, but it does help pay for my Citroen addiction...

Andrew
Profeshnial Grafik DeZignUr

np · Post by np » 21 Nov 2006, 21:26