Fuel Filter Change
 

I went to change the fuel filter yesterday. The damn thing lives almost directly under the front passenger seat (or drivers seat for you guys in the US). It's tucked away in a compartment which has a lot of covering around it for protection. And after spending hours trying to get at it I had to abandon because it was getting dark. Put everything back together and left it.

The difficulty was trying to get all that covering off. I undid all the bolts and screws, got the covering loose all round (it's a sizeable single piece about 4 feet by 2 feet) and tried to remove it. Would only come down a bit at the front, and practically not at all at the back. Tried to just pull the front down further but couldn't get it down far enough to allow sufficient access to the filter.

Anyone got any hints or tips here ? Bloody thing nearly broke my heart .....

There's a DIY in the "How To" area at the top of the page. Or do a search for fuel fliter change. It is a PITA and getting that belly pan off takes the longest.

Good Luck!

Nice headsup Big "J"!

Here's the link Patrick.. http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...procedure.html

Also, this link might help.. http://www.xoutpost.com/765581-post28.html

Obviously in lieu of payment for being your personal secretary I look forward to you 'popping over' and doing mine for me..:rofl:

Good luck mate, let us know how you get on..:thumbup:

I ran into the same issues. Eventually paid my local indy $60 to do it.

Thanks alot for the pointers guys. I'm realising 2 things :

1. The Bentley manual is a pile of rubbish. Spent €100 on the damn thing and it hasn't helped me once. The procedure in the manual basically says 1-2-3, undo the bolts, drop the cover, whip out the old filter and shove in the new one and bob's your uncle. Says nothing about how difficult it is to get the cover off, nothing about the special clips used on the filter hoses nor does it say a dicky bird about having to remove the handbrake cable.

2. BMW's were never built to be easy !

It'll be a while before I've a chance to attack this job again, perhaps the weekend after next. I'll be sure to update you on how it goes.

Thanks again, some very helpful pointers here. :thumbup:

I remember changing it the first time in 2004. no manuals were available. not difficult. just a PITA. helps to do it with good lighting