C5 X7 diesel fuel filter issue

[Bandit12]

Hi guys

As part of servicing my x7 136bhp 2.0 diesel I decided to replace the fuel filter. Only problem is I cannot get the lid of the cannister off!! tried the recommended 27mm socket as per citroen.doc service notes which just rounded the plastic "nut" on the top. Ended up resorting to using an oil filter wrench combined with the 27mm socket. only got the lid to turn 1/4 anti-clockwise before fear of breaking the entire plastic lid forced me to slowly tighten it back down and walk away!
Is this normal? Any ideas? Very tempted to buy another lid just in case I break the darn thing!

Oh and then utterly failed in locating and replacing the pollen filter too!

Not one of my finest hours

Bandit

[Hell Razor5543]

When I dropped my C5 Mk1 in to the garage to have some work done I asked them to change the fuel filter (as I had not been able to get in). The way they did it was to dismount the filter housing, secure it in a vice, and then take the lid off.

[bobins]

A couple of posts for you to briefly browse over to reassure you / frighten you about changing the filter. Details of a good tool to use included in the posts.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54885
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57224

...and by the way - the filter lids are done up FT

[RichardW]

And Marc's excellent post on the pollen filter: viewtopic.php?t=56904

[Bandit12]

Thanks guys, firstly top job with the links and I have ordered that special 27mm tool thingy off fleabay for the fuel filter.

Secondly that pic from Marc upside down in the passenger seat changing the pollen filter had me crying with laughter! Not feeling a total loser now as I got as far as removing the side panel held in with the single torx head but was baffled from that point in as it looked different enough from my old 2.2 to confuse me.

Many thanks for the tips, links and for the photo gymnastic positions that any Russian athlete would be proud of achieving
I can see replacing the pollen filter on a c5 being a new olympic sport chuckle
Tell me Marc was that pollen filter change achieved without using any performance enhancing drugs?

Bandit

[GiveMeABreak]

It certainly was!

I dread to think what anyone driving past thought was going on though.

[EDC5]

Might be a bit late if you've already rounded it off

But this is the tool: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fuel-Diesel- ... 1438.l2649

[petef]

As one of those caught up in the second thread that bobins references above - I had exactly the same problem as Bandit, and couldn't shift for love nor money the fuel filter cover on my 138hp X7 - I can now report a successful outcome. I did buy the Laser cut away special socket last year, but still couldn't shift the cover at the time, even with a 40cm bar on it.
I decided today to have another go, and stop being a big girls blouse and pull harder on the bar. Finally came off when I was just about to give up again. Maybe something to do with the colder weather?
Job done.

[Bandit12]

Thanks fr link to fuel filter tool n yes successfully used it a few days ago. What a pain! Used a 3/4 metre long torque wrench n finally got the cap off. It had an orange seal n seemed to me it may have swollen a bit over time cos once I'd completed a couple of turns n seal was clear of the housing it was loose enough to spin off with fingers. Anyway thanks guys n both jobs completed n ego restored