DIY Fuel Filter Change

soslower82 · Wed, Dec-30-2009, 02:41:49 PM

need to add this to my long list of upcoming maintenance.

20ducks · Thu, Jan-21-2010, 11:10:25 PM

Finished in little time thanks to PerkM3 for giving me the link.

MarqE46 · Sat, Feb-27-2010, 04:04:17 AM

Great write-up! I will be tackling the fuel filter tomorrow

neuralracing · Mon, Mar-15-2010, 08:03:47 PM

Is OEM the way to go for the filter? Or are their aftermarket alternatives that are proven to be better?

20ducks · Mon, Mar-15-2010, 08:32:54 PM

Buying a fuel filter from an authorized BMW dealer gets you 2 years warranty. I don't know what an aftermarket filter costs nor do I know what warranty is offered. Your choice.

Highpower11 · Sun, Mar-28-2010, 05:37:18 PM

Just completed the DIY. A couple of added notes...

I used a 15/16 open-end wrench to hold the pressure regulator housing while I unscrewed the filter from the housing. I used a 3/4-inch open end wrench on the filter (can be used in place of 19mm if you don't have one as the dimensions are very very close) and used the two wrenches as leverage. Luckily mine was not on too tight.

The inlet section was a bit more difficult but the key here as the OP mentioned is to pull the white collar straight back and it will come right off. I had a drip pan at the ready as there will be some spillage from the filter once removed.

I reused the original copper washer, performed a leak test and all went well. During restart it ran rough for about 30-seconds then immediately smoothed out. I did pressurize the system as the OP advised (3-times) but still ran rough. I'll have to check later to see if it threw any codes.

Great DIY!

bongsau · Wed, Apr-07-2010, 02:50:46 AM

Just though id share my fuel filter change experience. The front was a mother to unscrew but some WD40 did the trick along with a pair of vice grips. The back of the filter was tricky too, i used a small open ended wrench to push the white clip back evenly. I managed to get fuel everywhere, rookie mistake. It was PITA for me but i got it done. After a rough start for about 30 seconds the car ran fine.

MadeInPhilly · Wed, Apr-07-2010, 12:03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongsau

Just though id share my fuel filter change experience. The front was a mother to unscrew but some WD40 did the trick along with a pair of vice grips. The back of the filter was tricky too, i used a small open ended wrench to push the white clip back evenly. I managed to get fuel everywhere, rookie mistake. It was PITA for me but i got it done. After a rough start for about 30 seconds the car ran fine.

Couldn't you just pinch the rubber fuel line behind the filter to avoid fuel spillage?

GotM? · Wed, Apr-07-2010, 05:38:48 PM

I'm not sure you should need to. If you pull the fuse and start the car it dies and I think at that point de-pressurizes the line. I did it that way like the DIY suggests and then when I bled it barely any pressure was relieved as there wasn't much left. A little did come out when I finally got it all disconnected, about 1/4 a cup. However, getting the back of the filter off was an f'ing nightmare. For whatever reason it took me like 30 minutes and I was sure I had broken it but in the end it came off and the new one went on quickly and I had no leaks. Not sure if it will survive another replacement though without breaking the white clip in the back, it took a beating when I took the filter off.

bongsau · Fri, Apr-09-2010, 05:38:00 AM

Well i started the car twice like in the DIY and bled the filter for about 10 seconds and it was still full of fuel. Yes I could have pinched the lines but like i said rookie mistake.

Thu, Jan-21-2010, 11:10:25 PM	#42
20ducks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 436 In the garage: '07 BMW M6 Reputation: 0 Location: Born & raised in a/c 312	Finished in little time thanks to PerkM3 for giving me the link. Last edited by 20ducks; Thu, Jan-21-2010 at 11:27:21 PM.

Sat, Feb-27-2010, 04:04:17 AM	#43
MarqE46 Wolverinium Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,325 Reputation: 0 Location: Las Vegas	Great write-up! I will be tackling the fuel filter tomorrow __________________

Mon, Mar-15-2010, 08:03:47 PM	#44
neuralracing Player making Plays! Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 37 Posts: 1,090 Reputation: 0 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico	Is OEM the way to go for the filter? Or are their aftermarket alternatives that are proven to be better? __________________ 2002 CB on Black SMG - Dinan Stage 1 Software, Euro Rotors w/ Axxis

Sun, Mar-28-2010, 05:37:18 PM	#46
Highpower11 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 605 Reputation: 0 Location: NH	Just completed the DIY. A couple of added notes... I used a 15/16 open-end wrench to hold the pressure regulator housing while I unscrewed the filter from the housing. I used a 3/4-inch open end wrench on the filter (can be used in place of 19mm if you don't have one as the dimensions are very very close) and used the two wrenches as leverage. Luckily mine was not on too tight. The inlet section was a bit more difficult but the key here as the OP mentioned is to pull the white collar straight back and it will come right off. I had a drip pan at the ready as there will be some spillage from the filter once removed. I reused the original copper washer, performed a leak test and all went well. During restart it ran rough for about 30-seconds then immediately smoothed out. I did pressurize the system as the OP advised (3-times) but still ran rough. I'll have to check later to see if it threw any codes. Great DIY! __________________ ___________________ 06 /// M3 ZCP, 6MT, Interlagos Blau Metallic \ M-Alcantara\ Volk RE30\ VMR 701 (winter)\ CDV delete\ ESS ECU Tune\ RPI Scoops\ BMC Filter\ Turner aluminum Race Pedals\ Rogue FR 10mm spacers\ Rogue RSM\ Vogtland Springs\ \ V1 Hardwire\ DICE/iPhone\ Smoked corners\ painted reflectors\ ZHP illuminated Alcantara shift knob\ HID fog's\ LightWerkz TFX\ Nav, Power seats & Sunroof delete\ Coming Soon: Euro Headers & Cats

Wed, Apr-07-2010, 05:38:48 PM	#49
GotM? Admiral Douchington Join Date: Jul 2008 Age: 12 Posts: 2,930 In the garage: '98 FORD RANGER '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	I'm not sure you should need to. If you pull the fuse and start the car it dies and I think at that point de-pressurizes the line. I did it that way like the DIY suggests and then when I bled it barely any pressure was relieved as there wasn't much left. A little did come out when I finally got it all disconnected, about 1/4 a cup. However, getting the back of the filter off was an f'ing nightmare. For whatever reason it took me like 30 minutes and I was sure I had broken it but in the end it came off and the new one went on quickly and I had no leaks. Not sure if it will survive another replacement though without breaking the white clip in the back, it took a beating when I took the filter off. __________________ - Chris 2004 Mystic Blue Metallic Convertible

Wed, Dec-30-2009, 02:41:49 PM	#41
soslower82 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 660 Reputation: 0	need to add this to my long list of upcoming maintenance.

Mon, Mar-15-2010, 08:32:54 PM	#45
20ducks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 436 In the garage: '07 BMW M6 Reputation: 0 Location: Born & raised in a/c 312	Buying a fuel filter from an authorized BMW dealer gets you 2 years warranty. I don't know what an aftermarket filter costs nor do I know what warranty is offered. Your choice.

Wed, Apr-07-2010, 02:50:46 AM	#47
bongsau Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 Reputation: 0 Location: Fullerton	Just though id share my fuel filter change experience. The front was a mother to unscrew but some WD40 did the trick along with a pair of vice grips. The back of the filter was tricky too, i used a small open ended wrench to push the white clip back evenly. I managed to get fuel everywhere, rookie mistake. It was PITA for me but i got it done. After a rough start for about 30 seconds the car ran fine.

Fri, Apr-09-2010, 05:38:00 AM	#50
bongsau Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 Reputation: 0 Location: Fullerton	Well i started the car twice like in the DIY and bled the filter for about 10 seconds and it was still full of fuel. Yes I could have pinched the lines but like i said rookie mistake.

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