DIY Fuel Filter Change

pish180 · Tue, Sep-29-2009, 07:42:41 PM

How many miles does the M3 Fuel filter last? e46

Remi M. · Sat, Oct-03-2009, 10:00:26 PM

Thanks to the OP for the DIY.

A few things to note:

If you forget to buy the copper washer (like me), or you mangle the one you bought. The copper washer that comes with a new oil filter has the same inside diameter and is a mm thicker, worked great.

If you have someone helping you pull the filter off the rear fuel line. Have them yank hard, instead of trying to twist it or continuously pull on it. And keep your face well away......(burning eyelids...not fun...)

GR///M3 · Sat, Oct-03-2009, 11:08:31 PM

remind me to put out the cigarette in my mouth b4 i open that drain valve.....he he

MarqE46 · Sun, Oct-04-2009, 01:47:29 AM

thanks for the write up! might have to do this soon since I don't know if the previous owner(s) ever replaced the fuel filter.

**Obioban** · Sun, Oct-04-2009, 11:45:27 AM

Nice!

Adding a link in the maintenance sticky!

**Donovan** · Mon, Oct-05-2009, 04:46:28 PM

I officially love you LOL
doing this at the weekend along with the springs and tires

Reach · Mon, Oct-05-2009, 05:19:53 PM

Thanks for posting a great step-by-step DIY.

I was already planning on doing this and had the parts around for a few weeks now. I did it over the weekend, but unfortunately I munged the rear fuel line connector in the process of getting it off the old fuel filter.

The single largest tip I can give: Be careful and certain of how you remove the rear fuel supply line. There is very little tolerance to move the plastic connector back into the fuel supply line to disconnect it. If it feels like you're forcing it or if its not going back, stop and try again. You have to push it straight back into the line. Any slight angle and it will either not release, or if you push it hard enough, you'll break it as I did mine.

The good news is its not catastrophic, but it was an expensive mistake. I ended up paying $48 for a new rear supply line to be shipped to me from Tischer, and I'm still waiting on the part to get my M3 back up and running.

If you do manage to screw it up and need a new one as I did, the rear supply part # is 16122229409

pish180 · Mon, Oct-12-2009, 04:41:36 AM

Quote:

The single largest tip I can give: Be careful and certain of how you remove the rear fuel supply line. There is very little tolerance to move the plastic connector back into the fuel supply line to disconnect it. If it feels like you're forcing it or if its not going back, stop and try again. You have to push it straight back into the line. Any slight angle and it will either not release, or if you push it hard enough, you'll break it as I did mine.

DITTO

I just did mine this weekend. It was pretty easy. I just had some bastard fittings. Fitting 2 didnt want to come off with the quick disconnect. Almost broke the white release clip.

You will need to clamp the other hose that goes to the Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR) that (not shown connected on the image above). It is on the Rt side of fitting 1. Fuel will continue to flow out if you do not pinch off the end (I used vice grips). It is connected using a hose clamp.

I used a table vice grip and a 19mm to remove the FPR from the fuel filter. Dont lose the crush washers either.

GL

aznbo187 · Tue, Oct-13-2009, 10:55:48 PM

Thanks guys, included some of your suggestions into the original post to make it more inclusive.

cheungms · Wed, Oct-14-2009, 02:29:35 PM

awesome DIY! Does it really matter if you buy a BMW crush washer or if you just go to your local autoparts store for one? what is the ID/OD?

thanks for the write-up!

Sat, Oct-03-2009, 11:08:31 PM	#23
GR///M3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,050 Reputation: 0 Location: NY/NJ	remind me to put out the cigarette in my mouth b4 i open that drain valve.....he he __________________ ///M fan

Sun, Oct-04-2009, 01:47:29 AM	#24
MarqE46 Wolverinium Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,326 Reputation: 0 Location: Las Vegas	thanks for the write up! might have to do this soon since I don't know if the previous owner(s) ever replaced the fuel filter. __________________

Sun, Oct-04-2009, 11:45:27 AM	#25
Obioban M3Forum Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 23,581 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: SE PA	Nice! Adding a link in the maintenance sticky! __________________ Current Cars: 2005 IR/IR M3, 2003 TiAg M5, 1995 S50 B32 GT3 RS Green M3 Race Car _____Former Cars: 2004 TiAg/IR M3, 1996 TV/black M3, 1995 AW M3 shell Useful stuff: Objective suspension comparison, DIY suspension install VIDEOS (e36 version), Stick Driving Basics, e46 Climate Control, Better Fuel Economy 101, 10W-60 TWS Everything on the car: Mod List __________ HighRes M Wallpapers (Misc collected pics) <--- save target to desktop Selling: Suspensions, brakes, safety equipment, etc (ask away!) Renting: Valve shim adjustment kit, RTAB tool, Ball joint tool Clearing out the garage: Used TCK camber plates, Imperfect fitment Scorza CSL trunk, CHEAP snow tires

Mon, Oct-05-2009, 05:19:53 PM	#27
Reach Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,149 Reputation: 0 Location: Raleigh NC	Thanks for posting a great step-by-step DIY. I was already planning on doing this and had the parts around for a few weeks now. I did it over the weekend, but unfortunately I munged the rear fuel line connector in the process of getting it off the old fuel filter. The single largest tip I can give: Be careful and certain of how you remove the rear fuel supply line. There is very little tolerance to move the plastic connector back into the fuel supply line to disconnect it. If it feels like you're forcing it or if its not going back, stop and try again. You have to push it straight back into the line. Any slight angle and it will either not release, or if you push it hard enough, you'll break it as I did mine. The good news is its not catastrophic, but it was an expensive mistake. I ended up paying $48 for a new rear supply line to be shipped to me from Tischer, and I'm still waiting on the part to get my M3 back up and running. If you do manage to screw it up and need a new one as I did, the rear supply part # is 16122229409 __________________

Wed, Oct-14-2009, 02:29:35 PM	#30
cheungms Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 663 In the garage: '05 LOTUS ELISE Reputation: 0 Location: Philadelphia	awesome DIY! Does it really matter if you buy a BMW crush washer or if you just go to your local autoparts store for one? what is the ID/OD? thanks for the write-up! __________________ sold: 2005 Lotus Elise 2005 BMW M3 Searching for E30 / E9x M3

Tue, Sep-29-2009, 07:42:41 PM	#21
pish180 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 84 Reputation: 0 Location: Northern VA	How many miles does the M3 Fuel filter last? e46

Sat, Oct-03-2009, 10:00:26 PM	#22
Remi M. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 14 Reputation: 0 Location: Vancouver	Thanks to the OP for the DIY. A few things to note: If you forget to buy the copper washer (like me), or you mangle the one you bought. The copper washer that comes with a new oil filter has the same inside diameter and is a mm thicker, worked great. If you have someone helping you pull the filter off the rear fuel line. Have them yank hard, instead of trying to twist it or continuously pull on it. And keep your face well away......(burning eyelids...not fun...)

Mon, Oct-05-2009, 04:46:28 PM	#26
Donovan Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,731 Reputation: 0 Location: D.C. , Germany	I officially love you LOL doing this at the weekend along with the springs and tires

Tue, Oct-13-2009, 10:55:48 PM	#29
aznbo187 MCLA Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,388 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: West Hills, CA	Thanks guys, included some of your suggestions into the original post to make it more inclusive.

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