I finally had a chance to install the correct fuel filter and repair the vacuum hose where the rubber had disintegrated, at the connection nipple on the filter.

Bit of a PITA job for the driveway, but I've got a long drive to the lift that I can use and was feeling lazy. Probably paid for it sliming around under the car for an hour.

Pulling the fuse and starting the car drained 90% of the gas in the system and filter and a ready can and rags got the rest. The fuel line clips were cake to get off thanks to the advice found on this forum. Squeeze the (correct) opposite sides to open the clip and wriggle the line off. Have your can ready to catch the remaining fuel that will drip out.

Probably because my 06/2002 E53 build has the smaller filter, I was able to open the clamps and work the filter out, then move the lines one by one over to the appropriate "in" and "out" labeled nipples on the new filter.

After installing the new filter and buttoning up the protective cover with the 38,000 bolts BMW saw fit to put in it, I reset the aforementioned codes and drove the car a bit. They did not come back, so my hope is that it was related to the car sensing a vacuum problem with that dinky failed fuel filter vacuum line.

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Current
Original owner 2002 E53 X5 4.4i to 4.6i swap
2026 G80 M3 6 spd
2025 G06 X5 50e
Former
1972 Audi Fox
1986 Saab 900S
1996 BMW Z3
1998 BMW E36 M3 Sedan
2004 BMW E46 M3
2006 Audi A3 Quatro
1993 Mopar 318 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2015 V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee