Fuel Filter DIY Question

[kayger12]

Crawled under the ZHP to do some recon for changing out the fuel filter.

I noticed that the old one has a rubber sleeve around it. The replacement filter I have is one I bought for my 325 a little over a year ago. It has no rubber sleeve on it, yet is the same brand and part# as the OEM filter that's on the car now.

Did even more digging and saw that the OEM filter sold on Autohaus is pictured with the rubber sleeve...

Is the sleeve easy to transfer? It didn't really seem like it wanted to move. Or should I just buy the filter from Autohaus?

Most likely going to tackle this later this week when I can put her up on my friend's lift so I have some room to work.

All thoughts appreciated.

[Hornung418]

They should transfer. When you have it out, apply pressure at two points opposite each other and it should wriggle free. Don't forget to pull the fuel pump fuse and run your car out of gas before you pull the unit :)

[kayger12]

Good deal. Thanks, Justin.

Sorry your ride is giving you headaches...

[Hornung418]

I'll get over it soon enough. I need to do the fuel filter...I've been putting it off for too long. Hard starts are killing my poor starter motor.

[kayger12]

I got under the car and was gonna bang it out. Then all I could think of was being stuck not being able to transfer the sleeve with fuel draining all over the place (and me) with no room to maneuver.

Decided to just button her up and wait until she's on the lift. At least then I'll have some room to work and the fuel will be spilling in someone else's garage....

[danewilson77]

Same part numbers check out. I think you'll be fine.

[echo46]

Weird, I replaced the fuel filter on my old 330i and the ZHP and both came with the rubber sleeve. I would think that it would transfer but I remember it being on there pretty good.

[kayger12]

Weird, I replaced the fuel filter on my old 330i and the ZHP and both came with the rubber sleeve. I would think that it would transfer but I remember it being on there pretty good.

That's what i was worried about. Good info.

[SoarinZHP]

I recently did my fuel filter. My replacement had the rubber sleeve... If I was going to transfer the rubber sleeve I would lube the filter casing with some liquid soap or silicone to aid movement along the filter housing.

[kayger12]

I'm just gonna buy a new one. Appreciate the info, gents.

[danewilson77]

I'm just gonna buy a new one. Appreciate the info, gents.

I think it's a good decision KG.

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[kayger12]

Bought the one I have from Pelican. It's Kayser (OEM) but is the only one I can find that doesn't come with the frieken sleeve...

Autohaus has a Mann for $47. OEM was Kayser.

Opinions?

[SoarinZHP]

I got a Mahle from Pelican when I did mine. It had the rubber sleeve.

[kayger12]

Ok, all squared away. Ordered the Mann from AutohausAZ.com (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-4193730-10701773) so the Mafia could get their cut. :mafia

Bought 3 new fuel line clamps to get over the $50 line for free shipping.

Thanks for the help, gents. It's appreciated.

[MrMaico]

When I did mine, just for a little added peace of mind, I put two hose clamps on all the fittings.

[zj96sc]

Yeah, the clamps should almost come with the filter. Mine were garbage but I was in process and couldn't do anything about it. Ended up using vicegrips to spin them down again.

[jayjay_dee]

Ok, all squared away. Ordered the Mann from AutohausAZ.com (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-4193730-10701773) so the Mafia could get their cut. :mafia

Bought 3 new fuel line clamps to get over the $50 line for free shipping.

Thanks for the help, gents. It's appreciated.

Were you able to do this project? Any feedback?

I have a brand new fuel filter sitting in my garage for more than a month now, i wanna install it...

[kayger12]

Funny timing-- heading over to my friend's garage in about an hour to throw her up on the lift and bang it out.

I'll report back.

[kayger12]

Lift is still tied up. My buddy has his Nissan in 1K pieces.

Will be a few more days.

[danewilson77]

Damn. FTL.

[kayger12]

Was helping the poor guy out. He was working on the top end of the motor and slipped the timing chain a few links-- and then couldn't get it back to where it needed to be. Lined up the top end and was 180 degrees out on the balancer.

Had to pull the cams and then the bottom plate to get to the crank sprocket and tensioners. Complete mess. He's got about 3 hours ahead of him to put it back together.

[zj96sc]

If you're up against it I've done the filter twice just on ramps. Close quarters but it can be done.

[danewilson77]

I did it with my jack.....and stands.

[kayger12]

If you're up against it I've done the filter twice just on ramps. Close quarters but it can be done.


I did it with my jack.....and stands.

Given the tight space, I figured I would take the easy way out and use the lift-- but if it's not available by the weekend I'll just do it here.

Appreciate the info.

[echo46]

Yea, I also did three fuel filters on stands but if you have a lift much easier job. Still get ready for a slight fuel bath.

[Mtnman]

I did mine on Jack stands. Fuel Filter change FTL. prob the worst thing ive done. It was not hard, but even with having a bowl there to collect the dripping fuel it was a nasty job. I let about 1/2 gallon drip out. it never stopped. I just sucked it up and put on the new one to hasten the process. IDK how much would have dripped out if i hadnt. I did run the car with the pump off till it died too. I would recommend having a soft jaw vice grip, or some similar clamping machanism to pinch the fuel hoses when you do it. have fun!
D

[danewilson77]

I found four appropriately sized bolts, to stick in the hoses, as I disconnected each one. Then... I installed filter, and pulled each bolt as I installed the hoses.

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[Hornung418]

The key to avoid losing a lot of gas is to pull the fuel pump fuse and run the car til it dies from starvation. Then you can plug the hoses as you pull them, as Dane has stated above. I need to do this soon.

[Mtnman]

Dane....ur so frieken resourceful!

Horney, I pulled my fuse and ran it out....it still leaks a lot of fuel! I had a gallon equivalent bowl down, but when it got near the top, I had to change tactics quickly!

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[Hornung418]

Dane....ur so frieken resourceful!

Horney, I pulled my fuse and ran it out....it still leaks a lot of fuel! I had a gallon equivalent bowl down, but when it got near the top, I had to change tactics quickly!

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Wow...that's unexpected! Good tip then...

[kayger12]

I found four appropriately sized bolts, to stick in the hoses, as I disconnected each one. Then... I installed filter, and pulled each bolt as I installed the hoses.

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Supposedly the plastic cap protectors that are on the new pump can be shoved into the fuel hoses as a plug. :dunno

We'll see.

[jayjay_dee]

Ive read on e46F that you can use a golf tee to plug those hoses, thats why i have 5 of them together with my new fuel filter...

That dripping fuel is the only thing holding me back from doing this... might as well give it a shot this weekend...

[jayjay_dee]

Supposedly the plastic cap protectors that are on the new pump can be shoved into the fuel hoses as a plug. :dunno


Nice idea... this is my backup if the golf tee doesnt work...

[MrMaico]

I put mine up on jackstands the day before and didn't mess with pulling the fuse and running it dry. Can't recall exactly but if it was dripping, it was very little. Not sure if that made the difference or not though. If you run the fuel tank down close to empty I'd have to think that would help too. Installed new hoses and double clamped it.

[danewilson77]

Since we are talking about this.


http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1931-Please-take-a-moment-to-read-this-(regarding-Christian-Richard-Klorczyk)&highlight=Christian


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[jayjay_dee]

Thanks for the reminder Dane...

[danewilson77]

Thanks for the reminder Dane...

I think we can honor this family by being safe.....and thinking of them from time to time.

[kayger12]

I think we can honor this family by being safe.....and thinking of them from time to time.

Definitely. Think about them every time I get under my car.

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[jayjay_dee]

Finally did this last Saturday (12/31/11), took me almost an hour... 4 jack stands and 2 floor jacks...

Not even a cup of fuel dripped probably because my fuel light is already lit in the dashboard...

Most of my time was spent disconnecting the filter from the rubber hoses, a little bit of wiggling/spinning/rotating of the filter helped...

[GT172I]

Supposedly the plastic cap protectors that are on the new pump can be shoved into the fuel hoses as a plug. :dunno

We'll see.

This is what I did, they fit perfectly (assuming you meant filter not pump). Only leaked a cup or two but knew it was coming so had safety glasses and a fan going to evaporate it quickly.

Glad it went well, notice crap in the old one? I know mine poured out some nastiness once I got it off and tipped over.

[kayger12]

FINALLY got her on the lift today.

Gawd, that is the way to work on a car.

No issues. Definitely would have been soaked in some gas and cursing if I did that on jack stands.

Gave her a good once over while she was up there. Everything was looking good.

Going to start taking advantage of having that thing available.

[Mtnman]

Cheater.......

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[kayger12]

Hehe-- guilty as charged.

It was so nice to just stand to the side while the gas was draining out of the lines.

Can't express how nice it is to work on a car standing up.

Will most certainly be back there when it's diff/trans fluid change time.

[danewilson77]

Nice KG

[Mtnman]

Im going to stay with my cheater statement, but add a little side of jealousy.:jealous

I could sure use that lift this weekend. Instead im going to be working in my gravel driveway, on my back, out in the cold, changing fluids. :facepalm

[danewilson77]

Im going to stay with my cheater statement, but add a little side of jealousy.:jealous

I could sure use that lift this weekend. Instead im going to be working in my gravel driveway, on my back, out in the cold, changing fluids. :facepalm

That Son.... Builds character.

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[johnrando]

How did you have access to a lift KG? I must have missed that.

[kayger12]

Buddy of mine is a mechanic and has a lift in his detached garage.

He was kind enough to offer it up to me whenever I need it.

He also has a beautiful compressor and all the impact tools you could shake a stick at.

Never took him up on it because I didn't want to bug him, but the fuel filter looked like it was gonna be a mess on jack stands...

Now I'm thinking I'll be using it more often.

Just too damn easy.

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