DIY: 2006 BMW X5 3.0i Fuel Filter
 

DIY: 2006 BMW X5 3.0i Fuel Filter

The other thread is here. You need to read this thread below in detail!!!
---> http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...placement.html


The lessons are:

1. The Quick Disconnect is a pain, options:
a. It can be squeezed to remove, but it is difficult to squeeze and tried to remove the line from the Fuel Filter.
b. Some people remove the clip from the connector, but in the process of doing so, you can break it too. Yes, you can easily break the Plastic Clip in the Quick Disconnect!

2. You should buy three (3) Dorman 800-027 clips, $3/each at Advance Auto (you may have to special order) or online.
I broke 2 of the 3 clips and it was Sunday! No parts store carried Dorman 800-027, so I went to local O’Reilly Auto and picked up Dorman 800-023 for Ford/GM package ($4 for the package), modified the clips to fit and it worked perfectly, read on.


PARTS/TOOLS:

1. E53 Fuel Filter, Mann WK513/3 or BMW PN 16126754016, which includes the Pressure Regulator.
About $45 at autohausaz.com

2. Dorman 800-027 is best, if you don’t have that, use Dorman 800-023, which is readily available at O’Reilly Auto. But you need to modify Dorman 800-023.

3. Short section of vacuum hose.

4. 8-mm, 10-mm, and 13-mm sockets and LONG extension!


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...-filter-01.jpg


PROCEDDURE:

1. Car on wood ramps. You can pull the Fuse #47 as in the link above. I did not pull the Fuse and very little fuel came out.


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63882


2. The Big Cover on the driver side is a pain because nobody ever posted detailed photo of the exact location of the bolts, so I had to fool around a bit. No worry, if you follow this guide, it is not bad at all. IIRC, there are some 10-mm bolts near the heat shield and Eleven (11) 13-mm bolts (some require long extension and socket to get to: 4 bolts are alongside the driveshaft, 2 are near the muffler, 2 are inside the holes, and 1 is hidden just in front to the rear tire!!!

3. Do not remove the Big Cover, all you need is to lower it.


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63876


Off topic but in the Spring, if you need to wash the brake metal lines to prevent corrosion, use some water (gentle stream, no pressure washer) and aim it up holes #3 and #4, water will dissolve the salt used in winter to prevent corrosion!

3. The setup looks like this:


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63877


4. The old vacuum hose: use a utility knife and cut it GENTLY along its length to remove it. Replace with new vacuum hose, oil the nipple a bit to allow the hose to slide better.
- I could not remove one of the 10-mm bolts (the nut just spins), so I simply slide the old Fuel Filter out and new one in.
- Note in the DIY above, there are 2 ways to undo the connections: squeeze the sides or remove the clips, whatever you do, the chance of breaking the clips is high. I broke 2 out of 3 clips.

5. Dorman 800-027 is best, if you don’t have that, use Dorman 800-023, which is readily available at O’Reilly Auto. But you need to modify Dorman 800-023 (Ford/GM type): shorten the WHITE clips a bit and trim alongside (taking off about 1mm or so using utility knife).
- Just look at the factory BLUE clip AS A GUIDE. There is only one way to insert it, the concave side of the the clip faces the Fuel Filter.


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63878


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63879


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63880



6. Before you install the connectors, be absolutely sure which is which because once it is installed, it is difficult to undo it and you risk breaking your new plastic clips.
So BLUE is fuel feed and goes to the center of the Fuel Filter. And BLACK is the return line. Do NOT mix up these lines!
- Oil the nipples a bit before installing the connectors. You must hear a “CLICK”.
- Gently tug the connector a bit to be sure it is fully seated. I added zip ties to be sure.


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...chmentid=63881



7. Now test the new Fuel Filter by:
- Key in position II a few times to prime the Fuel Filter.
- Start engine and watch for any leaks.


8. Turn off engine and re-install the Big Cover.

PS: For comparison, replacing the Fuel Filter in my 2005 Volvo XC90 is a 10-minute deal, in the X5, it is a 3h job because of the stupid Big Cover, the dumb connection clips and a trip to local parts store.

However, you follow the above advice, then it should be easy for you.





---

If you going to DIY at least get the right tool so you won't be breaking (not braking) connectors.

http://www.toolsource.com/prod_images/109620.jpg

Excellent write up! A sticky contender.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I went through the same exact process a few years back when replacing the fuel filter.

The complexity of the fuel system is probably due to this:

That is a nice idea but wrong tool for E53. That tool is good for BMW E39 or Volvo S70 series and not for the E53 quick disconnect type.

Pricey little bugger!

Amazon.com: Assenmacher (ASMBMW8390) BMW Fuel Line Disconnect Tool: Home Improvement

16 bucks with free shipping is too pricey?

BMW Fuel Line Disconnect Tool 3 Series and X5 | eBay

Great info and pictures
Gonna tackle this job soon on mine along with fresh oil change.
Is the one on the 4.8is in the same area?

I believe 4.8i Fuel Filter is in the same area. Please take note on the blue plastic clips and Dorman alternatives, make sure you have new clips before doing the job!

This is safety issue (you are dealing with fuel), so I strongly recommend 3 new clips.

I am now at 115K and Fuel Filter was still OK, it still flows. You probably do this unpleasant job once in the life of the car because of the Big Cover, but even so if you follow the guide I wrote above, you will be fine. This is because the next Fuel Filter change is @ 230K or so, but I don't plan to keep this car beyond 230K miles.

On the issue of the goofy blue clips, the VW people talked about Schwaben Fuel Tool, ~ $25 online:
---> VWVortex.com - Phaeton Fuel Filter Change - Add to TOC

This is similar to squeezing the blue clips on the appropriate sides with your fingers as mentioned in the other thread.



Below is a nice presentation of common fuel clips. Pay attention to time marking at 0:45 seconds, I think this applies to E53:

How to Disconnect Common Fuel Line Fittings - YouTube

Great writeup cn! So glad your thorough DIY's have graced our boards, and thanks for the tip on the holes to wash salt from under the big cover, great tip!

How long of a section of vaccuum hose did you need for the job? I will tackle mine eventually too even though I have low miles at 74k and always use good 93 octane but I would feel better if the filter was fresh, thank you for the Dorman part number on the clips!


And for what its worth above guys, the tool that was shown is used for the power steering lines quick connectors as far as I can tell it won't work on the fuel lines as I think you need to press the clips inward.

Now I have done this job, I am looking closely at the infamous BLUE clip.

This is how I think it works:
- Press on the clip in the areas as shown (RED arrows)
- The BLUE clip free ends are fixed inside the connector, so they don't move much but the upper part should expand OUTWARD (BLUE arrows), allowing you to undo the connection.

However, this is easier said than done, it was a struggle for me, so whatever you do, stock the Dorman clips beforehand!