Defender TD5 fuel filter issue WJN000020

On my regular check over of the truck where I look for stuff hanging off or missing I spotted what looked like fuel weeping from around the fuel filter. On closer investigation it looked as if the fuel was leaking from around the top seal of the filter where the filter screws onto the fuel head (that's what I'm calling it, Part number WJN000020 on mine) The whole head unit is now £179, a big change from £80 a few years ago. The part number for mine is WJN000020 but double check yours as there are so many variants.
I didn't want to pay that so wondered if I could repair it.
When the fuel filter was removed it seemed as if there was corrosion on the sealing face of the fuel head. This has happened before and I managed to cleaned it with a bit of wet n' dry paper. Today though I've cut a disc from very flat MDF and stuck 180grit and 400grit wet n' dry paper onto it and used this to improve the sealing surface by offering it up to the face and rotating it. The size I found best for the MDF, second time round, is O/D of 75mm and a hole in the middle of 16mm. This gives enough coverage for the sealing area without protruding onto the rest of the casting. I started with the 80grit side and moved onto the 400grit when I was getting close to the desired finish. I used WD40 throughout to lubricate the paper.
Try to maintain a clean environment around the filter area as you don't want debris to get into the fuel system.

*Update* A few days on its still looking good with no leaks!

I find https://www.lrworkshop.com is a great source for part numbers and diagrams and the a good forum for all things Land Rover is is https://www.defender2.net

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