Labor cost to replace DIESEL fuel filter
 

Hi folks

my local indy quoted $140 for labor just to replace the diesel fuel filter. They site BMW shop guidelines calling for just over an hour for this. Is that about right?

That's a very reasonable charge for indy. I was charged for $600 including parts to replace the filter.

That's on par with a BMW dealer in Texas.
I was quoted $204 BMW filter with labor.
I decided to buy the Mahle brand filter and change it out in my garage with the help of a write up on here. Easy Peasy and I saved $150:thumbup:

When an indy CITES 'labor guidelines', it is time for me to find a new indy.

A qualified mechanic can do it in 20 minutes. And yes, they cut corners.

Ard, I don't know how it can be done in 20 minutes. The panels that have to be removed to gain access to it will take more than 20 minutes to remove and replace alone.

reached out to Indy again and sent them one of the Do-It-Yourself instructions. They came back and said instructions do not include a step to purge the system, which must be done to avoid risk to the system, and that alone takes 20 mins.

What are they talking about?

Plenty of info on this
Should show up on a search or google
I did not purge the system with computer. I just had a few slow starts and then it was good to go.
In my opinion, 1hr of labor sounds about right for the E70 3.5d

On a lift, just drop the panels enough, let them hang down- reach in and pop out the filter? Maybe not 20, but when I did it on my back it just felt that after doing 10 I would be pretty fast...wanna bet they dont do the whole 'prime it right' part either?

Just changed my fuel filter again as it's been 30,000 miles. Easy swap took me about 30 minutes once the x5 was safely jacked up

I need to do this I think. 53k on my 35d and the dealer did it at 25k from what I can find. Where do you guys get the filter and where is the how-to write up? I can't find it and searching DIESEL and FILTER gives me almost every thread....

I believe the fuel filter should be replaced after every 3 oil services. So roughly 22,500 miles.

Part number: 13327811227
ECS Tuning:$53
BMW of Morristown: $49
BMW of Fairfax: $52

There was a youtube video I saw not too long ago, let me see if I can dig it up and ill attach the link.

British guy has a YouTube video that is pretty detailed.
A thread I followed a little bit as well.
Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Found it on Amazon for $25 shipped (Prime) Link: http://a.co/1R9bXxP

Part number: 13327811227

Great deal as I bought it for $35 a couple of times

Not too sure if specs for fuel filter changed when the oil change interval was shortened.
I've changed mine every 30,000 miles roughy every 3rd oil change

WHY couldn't anyone do this themselves??? I did this myself and I never purged the system and that was over 75,000 miles ago with zero issues. It's clear why independent shops and BMW dealerships take advantage of people when so many won't even attempt to do the most simple maintenance on their own vehicles.

To be fair, the replacement involves getting under the car, and not everyone has a place/means. Also, anything involving diesel is rather messy and smelly; despite years of diesel ownership experience, one day during a usual fill-up the pump decided to ignore the limiter - costed me pants, shoes and an hour of emergency shopping.

Great find for the $25 filters, btw.

I find "gazzaleen" to be more smelly than diesel. Plus the vapors being more dangerous than diesel.

Air in the high pressure injection pump does not kill it, but it does damage it. The purge step is well worth the time.

I'm not certain, but it seems like forcing the in tank pump on (via the relay) for 60s or so before a start would purge the system. Maybe someone here can explain why that wouldn't be effective?