I sure have, it's a typical folded paper filter element inside.

It's good to cut fuel filters open once in a while,
and I always empty them out backwards to see what's in them ..
that part is as more useful as putting on a new filter.

Scott
turbovans
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 3:04 PM
Subject: Re: Fuel Filters vs Fuel Strainers

>  OK. Has anyone ever cut one of each of these filters open and looked
> inside? I have not, so can't really address nor compare the issue of
> filter type.material.
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
> On 10/6/2010 4:26 PM, Old Volks Home wrote:
>> The Square "Pre-Filter" is just that - a FILTER, not a strainer as you
>> would
>> be led to believe by that Digifant Book.  VW 133 133 511.  This was used
>> as
>> the ONLY filter on 75-79 Fuel Injection L-Jet engines on Beetles and
>> Buses.
>>
>> In a difference of opinion with Scott, a Pre-Filter and the downstream
>> Cannister Filter was used on 82-later Air 2.0&  Water Boxer 1.9 engines
>> through at least 85, particularly on the California Models.  I know
>> because
>> I have owned both in the past 18 years. Only an 80 2.0 I once owned just
>> had
>> the plastic Square Filter.  And I continue to run both on both my 84 GL
>> and
>> 84 Westy as they originally came with.
>>
>> VW did away with the Pre Filter on the Digifants because the Fuel Pumps
>> of
>> the era and replacements since then have a screen mesh inside the Fuel
>> Pump
>> Inlet.  Not really comfortable with the adequacy of that, so I would run
>> a
>> Pre Filter anyway if I had a choice.
>>
>> My nickel's worth and YMMV
>> --
>> Jim Thompson
>> 84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
>> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
>> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
>> 75 914 1.8 "Nancy"
>> Full Timing Since March 1999
>> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
>> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
>> ***********************************
>> On Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 1:26 PM, John Rodgers<inua@charter.net>  wrote:
>>
>>>   In working with my two vans that were stored for 10 years, I have had
>>> to deal with many issues. One was getting the fuel delivery system
>>> working again. This included opening it up, and flushing all the old
>>> fuel and junk from it. The injectors were frozen and would not work, so
>>> had to send them out for servicing. They work fine now. And the fuel
>>> pump on my Carat was seized so that had to be dealt with. By removing
>>> the pump, and spraying carburetor cleaner into it and allowing it to sit
>>> over night, then repeating the process, the pump freed up and now works
>>> just fine.Then there was the issue of the fuel filters.
>>>
>>> In as much as I'm having idling problems, I got out the Digifant Fuel
>>> Injection System manual to study. I found interesting remarks concerning
>>> the fuel filters. In as much as there has been a good bit of talk on
>>> this list about the large filter after the pump, and the small filter in
>>> front of the pump - here is what the book has to say about them.
>>>
>>> ************************
>>>
>>> *Fuel Filters*
>>>
>>> Two types of filters are used on the Digifant system.
>>>
>>> One is a square _*plastic fuel  strainer*_ which is mounted before the
>>> fuel pump *_to __protect the pump_* from foreign particles.
>>>
>>> The *_main fuel filter_* is a metal cylinder which mounts behind the
>>> fuel pump. *_It has a finer filtering mesh to protect the fuel injection
>>> components._*
>>>
>>> Both are lifetime filters and do not require replacement under normal
>>> circumstances.
>>>
>>> *********************
>>>
>>> Of interest to me is the different function of the two filters - the
>>> first to protect the pump. the second to protect the FI components, ie,
>>> the injectors.
>>>
>>> I note that one is  a fuel STRAINER, while the other is a fuel FILTER.
>>> Quite a different between a strainer and a filter.
>>>
>>> I have read that the square strainer  can be left out, but after reading
>>> this - I would not. Each filter/strainer serves a different and distinct
>>> purpose and therefore both need to be in the fuel system..
>>>
>>> Just my $0.02.
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Rodgers
>>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>>> Chelsea, AL
>>> Http://www.moldhaus.com<http://www.moldhaus.com/>
>>>
>>