[rxtasy]

what is the deal with this....I'm at 66k and my indie mechanic thinks it should be replaced for preventative maintenance. I looked at my bentley manual and it says lifetime too and does not give any instructions on how to replace it. I trust my mechanic as he solely works on bmws and he showed me a filter from 60k(brown color) vs 90k (black color). He said it should only take him 1/2 hour labor and the filter was like $114.

What is the procedure for replacing the filter? Why can i no find the part online? Anyone have this done at around 60K?

[Chriztofor]

Fuel filter and the fuel pump is one unit. In order to change the filter you must also change the fuel pump. Totally sucks, part costs over $250. Why did BMW do this?!

[328i]

Originally Posted by rxtasy

what is the deal with this....I'm at 66k and my indie mechanic thinks it should be replaced for preventative maintenance. I looked at my bentley manual and it says lifetime too and does not give any instructions on how to replace it. I trust my mechanic as he solely works on bmws and he showed me a filter from 60k(brown color) vs 90k (black color). He said it should only take him 1/2 hour labor and the filter was like $114.

What is the procedure for replacing the filter? Why can i no find the part online? Anyone have this done at around 60K?

As far as I know, the e90 has the fuel filter in the tank and it's almost $200, so make sure he double checks the cost and you don't get an outrageous bill. Not sure why BMW did this, as other models like my e46 have it right under the car where it is easily replaceable and cheap. At that cost I'm not sure it's worth it to be honest, especially if it's designed as "lifetime". I would probably wait till at least 80k or 100k before I'd worry about it unless your car has fuel related issues.

[rxtasy]

thanks all, i get the feeling he hasnt worked on the e90 as much as older models...I will call him to clarify

[rxtasy]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Fuel filter and the fuel pump is one unit. In order to change the filter you must also change the fuel pump. Totally sucks, part costs over $250. Why did BMW do this?!

The schematic in bentley's manual shows the fuel filter on the left side attached the the pressure regulator, the electric fuel pump is on the right side of the tank. Is this correct? So the part that would be needed is a combo of the filter and pressure regulator? thx

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by rxtasy

The schematic in bentley's manual shows the fuel filter on the left side attached the the pressure regulator, the electric fuel pump is on the right side of the tank. Is this correct? So the part that would be needed is a combo of the filter and pressure regulator? thx

You are correct, but it is expensive to replace a fuel filter for over $250.

Here is a link from realoem.com that is entitled Fuel filter/pump/fuel level sensor (too bad I still can't see the filter). Is it that small? See #2 of the link.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...01&hg=16&fg=15

[Chriztofor]

By the way here is a picture of the e46 fuel filter. You can spot it a mile away and it was easy to change.

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-Fu.../dp/B001977YNY

[rxtasy]

thanks chriztofor, looks like it would be quite time intensive for this to be replaced. I did an google search for the part and what it shows is a very small filter like realoem listed. I guess it would be best to just wait till over 100k to even contemplate this.

does fuel injector cleaner clean out the filter at all?

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by rxtasy

thanks chriztofor, looks like it would be quite time intensive for this to be replaced. I did an google search for the part and what it shows is a very small filter like realoem listed. I guess it would be best to just wait till over 100k to even contemplate this.

does fuel injector cleaner clean out the filter at all?

I am not sure if it does that, but it will help with a rough idle upon start-up.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by rxtasy

does fuel injector cleaner clean out the filter at all?

I've been using Chevron's fuel system cleaner every 4-6 months or so, because I do a lot of daily highway driving. Everytime I use the product my mpg goes up 0.3-0.5mpg. I don't plan on changing my fuel filter till well over 100K miles, because of the cost, however in the meantime, I'm using this product.

[ENINTY]

I've run my car for 122,000 miles, and have never used a drop of fuel cleaner in it. I use either Shell V-power or Exxon. Runs like the day I bought it. All gas stations filter the fuel in the pump before it goes in your tank. I doubt you'll ever have to change a fuel filter in a car in this day and age.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I've run my car for 122,000 miles, and have never used a drop of fuel cleaner in it. I use either Shell V-power or Exxon. Runs like the day I bought it. All gas stations filter the fuel in the pump before it goes in your tank. I doubt you'll ever have to change a fuel filter in a car in this day and age.

lol do you really think that filtering the gas at the pump makes it "clean?" I have never heard of this and even if it is true, I'm sure the filter only filters out large particles that can immediately clog your fuel system.

Why would the gas station filter gas at the pump, after having it processed by oil companies? Not cost effective at all.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by *********

lol do you really think that filtering the gas at the pump makes it "clean?" I have never heard of this and even if it is true, I'm sure the filter only filters out large particles that can immediately clog your fuel system.

Why would the gas station filter gas at the pump, after having it processed by oil companies? Not cost effective at all.

First off heavy particulates settle at the bottom of the storage tank and are not normally picked up by the pump. The gas pump has filters in it to protect the blending, metering, and dispensing/auto shut-off valves which are susceptible to dirt contamination. Most pumps filter to 10 Microns some up to 30 Microns.

[Richwm]

I have 136,000 miles on my car with the original filter and have always used Shell V-power or Chevron. I do have the filter but after looking at it I decided to wait to change it until I needed it BTW it took two weeks to get it after I ordered it. I got mine from Crown auto a year and a half but it was only $155 not $250 like some places were chargeing.

[Turkeybaster115]

Guys, I wonder if this is a typo, cus it seems we might be able to replace just the filter, afterall:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...8445/ES260913/

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

Guys, I wonder if this is a typo, cus it seems we might be able to replace just the filter, afterall:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...8445/ES260913/

Wrong model. The FF for the gassers is in the tank. Now the diesels have 2 filters (1 in tank and 1 along the fuel line).

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by Socom

Wrong model.

It said 3.0L N54 at the heading, although it didn't list the E90 with the rest of the models.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

It said 3.0L N54 at the heading, although it didn't list the E90 with the rest of the models.

Yeah I know but it wouldn't be the first time they were wrong.

[Chriztofor]

Just a general fyi. ALL fuel filters need to be changed. It doesn't matter what gas station you go to or the rituals you perform on your car. It is a FILTER. As such, all filters get dirty. My last car (2000 323i BMW) had a filter the size of your forearm (see post #15 above) and when I changed it, black gunk would pour out of it. The problem with our cars is that it is not economical to change a $250 filter. I think BMW took a step back, they should have stuck with the e46 design. My 2 cents.

[AlanAZ]

I think BMW took a step back, they should have stuck with the e46 design.

+1000

I've changed everything else out early, but this fuel filter is ridiculous.

[piezo]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Just a general fyi. ALL fuel filters need to be changed. It doesn't matter what gas station you go to or the rituals you perform on your car. It is a FILTER. As such, all filters get dirty. My last car (2000 323i BMW) had a filter the size of your forearm (see post #15 above) and when I changed it, black gunk would pour out of it. The problem with our cars is that it is not economical to change a $250 filter. I think BMW took a step back, they should have stuck with the e46 design. My 2 cents.

+1

I changed the "lifetime" filter on a MkIV Jetta @ 200K of mostly name-brand gasoline, and it drained BLACK like used motor oil. So yes, the fact that they integrated it with another expensive component within the tank kinda blows...