Replace the fuel filter?

Nate4641 · 11-12-2014, 10:22 PM

I have my car in the shop for inspection 2 right now and the mechanic is telling me that it is recommended that I have the fuel filter replaced.

Quote:

At the current mileage interval, replacement of the fuel filter is recommended, however, BMW did not make it easy to get to. The filter is physically attached to the fuel pump. Parts and labor will run approx. $600. I ordered the filter in so it would be on hand as no one local had it. Please let me know if you would like to have it installed.

I never had any issues that would lead me to think the fuel filter needs to be replaced so I'm not sure if I should try to have it done now, or wait for another time to get it done. This service is getting expensive as it is with repairs to cracked wheels and some other issues being fixed.

pokeybritches · 11-12-2014, 10:43 PM

It's not required unless you have issues. You have to drop the tank, and I would consider replacing the pump too if you go that route. How many miles do you have on the car?

ZStig · 11-12-2014, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

It's not required unless you have issues. You have to drop the tank, and I would consider replacing the pump too if you go that route. How many miles do you have on the car?

You don't have to drop the tank, you can reach in through the access hole on the side. The driveshaft needs to be moved out of the way though. But yes, very time consuming and you might as well do the pump too. I wouldn't do either until you're throwing a code

Nate4641 · 11-12-2014, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

It's not required unless you have issues. You have to drop the tank, and I would consider replacing the pump too if you go that route. How many miles do you have on the car?

Honestly I can't remember how many miles, I havent driven the car since July when I was home last. Should be around 45-50 thousand at most though. No codes were being thrown and had no fuel related issues when I drove the car last.

pokeybritches · 11-12-2014, 11:06 PM

Good to know. I did mine because I was already doing the pump.

Nate4641 · 11-12-2014, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Good to know. I did mine because I was already doing the pump.

So is this something I should be fine holding off on? I don't recall seeing many threads of people having issues with their fuel filters. Or should I bite the bullet and get it done now while the car is already in the shop and no issues have come up yet? The money is the biggest issue for me right now.

pokeybritches · 11-12-2014, 11:55 PM

My response was meant for Zstig, but you are correct - no need for it now unless you have issues. You can always do some fuel system cleaner if you're concerned.

elerner61 · 11-13-2014, 10:18 AM

This is all good information. Can anyone identify other typical service that would require the driveshaft being removed (e.g. replacing rear diff. bushings?)? Would seem to make sense to do the fuel filter at the same time.

ZStig · 11-13-2014, 05:55 PM

yeah, the rear differential seal is a common leaking point. Needs some special tools to do if I remember correctly

jdoublehcubed · 11-13-2014, 07:38 PM

He's full of shit, its a lifetime filter, and BMW gives no recommendations to replace it at any time, especially based on mileage. Replace only when symptoms indicate a problem.

If he's selling this as "recommended maintenance" he's either shaking you down or doesn't know what he's doing.

ZStig · 11-13-2014, 07:57 PM

my 80k mile filter barely had anything in it

elerner61 · 11-14-2014, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZStig

my 80k mile filter barely had anything in it

Why did you replace it and then dissect the old one? Sheer curiosity?

pokeybritches · 11-14-2014, 08:44 AM

I replaced it because I was doing the pump too, so zero additional labor to replace a filter with 115k miles on it.

jdoublehcubed · 11-14-2014, 03:45 PM

I suppose if you buy really cheap and/or questionable gas that might be a reason to do it.

pokeybritches · 11-14-2014, 04:04 PM

The filter is a wear item with an undefined interval for which to change it, like the clutch. Crap will get built up in it over time. Whether or not it will outlast the car depends on all kinds of things. Every time you insert a nozzle to fill up, you're exposing the car's tank to FOD.

Bottom line, if you are already doing the labor, go ahead and replace it. I wouldn't go out of my way to do it unless I was having issues.

By the way, certain fuel system additives do work. As fuel sits, the ethanol can separate. Ethanol is very hygroscopic, and that water/ethanol mix can cause all kinds of issues. The additives can prevent this from happening, and they can be used to correct problems that are already occurring. So, I would look to additives first if I ran into filter issues.

Nate4641 · 11-14-2014, 04:12 PM

I told the shop to hold off on changing the filter. After Inspection II, repairing my non-working parking brake and repairing minor damage to all 4 wheels, $600 to fix something that isn't broken isn't worth the extra cost at this time. They were also really encouraging me to have them do a clear bra, but I'm still not sold on those (I hate seeing the line across the hood)

ZStig · 11-15-2014, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

Why did you replace it and then dissect the old one? Sheer curiosity?

I was un-necessarily upgrading to an Aeromotive fuel pump

Dalecan · 11-18-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate4641

They were also really encouraging me to have them do a clear bra, but I'm still not sold on those (I hate seeing the line across the hood)

I have a full hood clear bra (xpel). Expensive, but I think worth it.

DerrickO · 05-02-2015, 09:00 AM

In March 2015, my 2006 M Roadster hit 100k and I had the fuel filter replaced at the independent garage that I take my car for service. The tank does not need to be dropped, but the muffler does need to be removed in order to access the fuel filter. You also need to have about 1/8 of a tank of gas in your tank.

Total labor was 5 hours @ $89.00 = $445.00
Fuel filter part was $116.62

Total = $561.62

During the service they discovered that my pinion seal was leaking on the diff and that added another $224 to the repair as well.

Sterling Roadster · 08-11-2015, 02:20 PM

Yup, I was wondering this too. I thought it would be a maitenance part like on my e36. That car's fuel filter was an aluminun canister that sat between two fuel lines underneath the car. All told replacing it would take about 25 minutes for an average joe and it was a nice piece of mind. However less maintenance required the better I suppose. Definitley will do it when I have to do my fuel pump though. 150,000 miles on mine.

11-12-2014, 10:43 PM	#2
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	It's not required unless you have issues. You have to drop the tank, and I would consider replacing the pump too if you go that route. How many miles do you have on the car? __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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11-12-2014, 11:06 PM	#5
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Good to know. I did mine because I was already doing the pump. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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11-12-2014, 11:55 PM	#7
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	My response was meant for Zstig, but you are correct - no need for it now unless you have issues. You can always do some fuel system cleaner if you're concerned. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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11-13-2014, 10:18 AM	#8
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	This is all good information. Can anyone identify other typical service that would require the driveshaft being removed (e.g. replacing rear diff. bushings?)? Would seem to make sense to do the fuel filter at the same time.
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11-13-2014, 05:55 PM	#9
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	yeah, the rear differential seal is a common leaking point. Needs some special tools to do if I remember correctly __________________
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11-13-2014, 07:38 PM	#10
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	He's full of shit, its a lifetime filter, and BMW gives no recommendations to replace it at any time, especially based on mileage. Replace only when symptoms indicate a problem. If he's selling this as "recommended maintenance" he's either shaking you down or doesn't know what he's doing.
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11-13-2014, 07:57 PM	#11
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	my 80k mile filter barely had anything in it __________________
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11-14-2014, 08:44 AM	#13
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	I replaced it because I was doing the pump too, so zero additional labor to replace a filter with 115k miles on it. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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11-14-2014, 03:45 PM	#14
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	I suppose if you buy really cheap and/or questionable gas that might be a reason to do it.
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11-14-2014, 04:04 PM	#15
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	The filter is a wear item with an undefined interval for which to change it, like the clutch. Crap will get built up in it over time. Whether or not it will outlast the car depends on all kinds of things. Every time you insert a nozzle to fill up, you're exposing the car's tank to FOD. Bottom line, if you are already doing the labor, go ahead and replace it. I wouldn't go out of my way to do it unless I was having issues. By the way, certain fuel system additives do work. As fuel sits, the ethanol can separate. Ethanol is very hygroscopic, and that water/ethanol mix can cause all kinds of issues. The additives can prevent this from happening, and they can be used to correct problems that are already occurring. So, I would look to additives first if I ran into filter issues. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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11-14-2014, 04:12 PM	#16
Nate4641 Major 151 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: '07 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Warner Robins, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	I told the shop to hold off on changing the filter. After Inspection II, repairing my non-working parking brake and repairing minor damage to all 4 wheels, $600 to fix something that isn't broken isn't worth the extra cost at this time. They were also really encouraging me to have them do a clear bra, but I'm still not sold on those (I hate seeing the line across the hood) __________________ My build/adventure thread
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05-02-2015, 09:00 AM	#19
DerrickO New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: E85 Z4M Convertible Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	I Had My Fuel Filter Repaced In March 2015, my 2006 M Roadster hit 100k and I had the fuel filter replaced at the independent garage that I take my car for service. The tank does not need to be dropped, but the muffler does need to be removed in order to access the fuel filter. You also need to have about 1/8 of a tank of gas in your tank. Total labor was 5 hours @ $89.00 = $445.00 Fuel filter part was $116.62 Total = $561.62 During the service they discovered that my pinion seal was leaking on the diff and that added another $224 to the repair as well.
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08-11-2015, 02:20 PM	#20
Sterling Roadster Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 279 Posts Drives: e85 Z4 3.0i & e92 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Yup, I was wondering this too. I thought it would be a maitenance part like on my e36. That car's fuel filter was an aluminun canister that sat between two fuel lines underneath the car. All told replacing it would take about 25 minutes for an average joe and it was a nice piece of mind. However less maintenance required the better I suppose. Definitley will do it when I have to do my fuel pump though. 150,000 miles on mine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote