Been getting a burning smell on and off while driving around. Opened up the lid and there's a fine layer of what looks like oil all over the fuel filter housing. Probably diesel + muck. I didn't have a camera handy at the time but it looks like the following (excuse mspaint crude drawing on nicked screenshot off youtube):

http://i.imgur.com/0QCwzsj.png

(same part, oil deposited all over it). I wiped it up with a wet wipe to see how much and it wasn't a lot. Just a fine spray coating. Doesn't look like it has come from any of the lines connecting to it and there are no error codes being reported.

Should I just replace the fuel filter and clean it up or look at getting the whole assembly replaced?

I had a similar issue years ago on a Land Rover 200TDi engine and replacing the filter worked but these 1.3JTDs are tetchy sods from experience (timing chain, EGR valve, entire exhaust so far in 3 years)

About to do a 1k mile round trip in it so any imminent explosions would be nice to be aware of as well

Took a photo of the actual thing quick...

http://i.imgur.com/deilYzQ.jpg

Mine has leaked from the fuel filter twice in 8 years - both times after the fuel filter case had been opened at a service. It's a plastic housing with a plastic collar nut and it seems when it gets coated in diesel (inevitable!) there's "stiction" when doing it up so it feels like it's tight but it isn't quite.

My local garage which does the servicing now cleans both parts of the thread and puts it back together very carefully and it seems to be OK (so far...).

Hope this helps.

Phil

Thanks appreciated - this might have been post-(muppet dealer)-service actually so that would explain things. I'll get someone reputable to have a look at it quick. Thanks again