I changed my diesel fuel filter yesterday.  To put it in perspective, I have
owned "Sammy" a 1982 Westfalia Diesel 1.6 NA for about 10 years and used it
maybe 6 times for short camping trips. The previous owner had the motor
rebuilt in 1995 and put 200 miles on it before moving it by flatbed to
Lincoln Nebraska. It sat for 5 years until I acquired it. Total mileage on a
rebuilt  motor 700 miles max. This year we undertook the project of making
it ready to become a daily driver.  New MC and Slave cylinder, brake
booster, new brake fluid, checked all the brakes, new 8 ply tires (properly
rated for a Vanagon Camper) and of course and oil and filter change. I had
been changing the oil on a regular basis even if we were not driving it. I
was looking for a little project and I relied I didn't remember changing the
fuel filter so I did. When I took it out it was a bosch with a date code of
1984 !  I have seen a definite increase in power and drivability J.  It is
interesting that we took a 400 mile camping trip this summer and averaged
about 28 GPM. I bet things work a little better now!!

Mike Wasserstein

Proud owner of "Sammy"

1982 Vanagon Diesel Westfalia Camper