Has anyone replaced the fuel filters yet?

[808MGuy]

I notice its not included in any scheduled maintenance but I know there is no such thing as a lifetime filter. Just curious how often they should be replaced and how hard is it to change them. I wouldn't want excess fuel dripping onto the back seat area since they are located under the rear seat bottoms.

[DivideBYZero]

The fuel filter on my E46 M3 was a lifetime filter, so it's very likely to be the same on the e92.

[M3PO]

Some cars don't even have one. My 350Z had a "sock" that covered the whole pump assembly and never needed to be replaced.

[Silvertige]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I notice its not included in any scheduled maintenance but I know there is no such thing as a lifetime filter. Just curious how often they should be replaced and how hard is it to change them. I wouldn't want excess fuel dripping onto the back seat area since they are located under the rear seat bottoms.

Sorry man, the fuel filter is inside the fuel tank. Current BMW thinking is that this is a "lifetime" part. All that means is its never replaced and when, not if, it gets clogged the car gets towed to your local dealer or independent shop. Nice, huh?

[corrado79]

Originally Posted by Silvertige

Sorry man, the fuel filter is inside the fuel tank. Current BMW thinking is that this is a "lifetime" part. All that means is its never replaced and when, not if, it gets clogged the car gets towed to your local dealer or independent shop. Nice, huh?

That's dumb BMW. When replacing these items after even 25-30k miles, you almost always can feel a noticeable difference.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by Silvertige

Sorry man, the fuel filter is inside the fuel tank. Current BMW thinking is that this is a "lifetime" part. All that means is its never replaced and when, not if, it gets clogged the car gets towed to your local dealer or independent shop. Nice, huh?

I thought the fuel filter was that skinny cylinder located under the bottom of the rear seat?

[piloto]

I think the OP is right. I believe the filter is on top of the fuel tank, not inside of it. It wouldn't make sense for it to be inside the tank, as it would be damn near impossible to access.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by piloto

I think the OP is right. I believe the filter is on top of the fuel tank, not inside of it. It wouldn't make sense for it to be inside the tank, as it would be damn near impossible to access.

There are some cars that are like that. My wife's old Sentra had that. The filter was part of the pump assembly so you pretty much had to replace the pump to replace the filter.

I don't think our cars are one of them though. I saw the cylinder when I took to rear seat bottoms out to install my stereo so I looked up what it was and it came back as a fuel filter. I just thought it was odd that replacement is not listed in the maintenance manual.

[Silvertige]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I thought the fuel filter was that skinny cylinder located under the bottom of the rear seat?

I looked up all associated parts for the fuel system and the the only thing I could find outside the tank was the charcoal filter for emissions, not a fuel filter. I did find this part number for a filter/regulator 16117163295 that's about 180 from tischer. This is located within the tank, however.

Information that I have read and have been told by my BMW mechanic.

"Replacing the fuel filter in an E90 is not DIY friendly.
You need special tools and the experience of a real mechanic to be able to do it.
The filter is inside the fuel tank (which is underneath the rear seat).
Replacement involves removal of both the left and right pump/sensor units, and the hoses that connect the left and right fuel tanks. Even real BMW technicians would hate to do this job."

I do wish it was as easy as on my e28... or the e30, e36, e46. Its a 50 dollar part that anyone can do. I've been told that fuel filters and pumps are within the tanks now primarily due to environmental concerns. Not sure if that's a wise move. Anyways, no crappy gas for me, lest my filter clog up sooner.

[Silvertige]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

There are some cars that are like that. My wife's old Sentra had that. The filter was part of the pump assembly so you pretty much had to replace the pump to replace the filter.

I don't think our cars are one of them though. I saw the cylinder when I took to rear seat bottoms out to install my stereo so I looked up what it was and it came back as a fuel filter. I just thought it was odd that replacement is not listed in the maintenance manual.

Do you have the part number for that? Thanks.

[VictorH]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I saw the cylinder when I took to rear seat bottoms out to install my stereo so I looked up what it was and it came back as a fuel filter. I just thought it was odd that replacement is not listed in the maintenance manual.

If that's true, and I have no reason to think otherwise, isn't it a bit odd that you would have a fuel filter and fuel lines (to and from the filter) in the passenger compartment? Seems like that would be a serious safety issue, and generally things like fuel, oil, coolant and such are kept behind firewalls/bulkheads.

[elp_jc]

I've seen several fuel filters in cars and motorcycles, and it's practically impossible that you'd ever clog one. The worst that could happen is that you might have a bit less usable fuel, but that's it. The filter is a long strainer, and the most I've seen being dirty is a few millimeters at the bottom. And I bet that's mostly from assembly crap. Don't know why people think there's a ton of stuff in gas tanks; there're several independent tests debunking that old wives' tale. Maybe in crappy stations, but if you fuel up in major gas stations, a dirty fuel filter is one of the few things I wouldn't worry about . And I'm a maintenance freak . Good day folks.