Diesel Fuel Filter (facelift)

[JF1980]

Looks like a real hassle to change this based on other posts and articles elsewhere - really can't be bothered to take off the running boards and half the underside of the car for a simple filter change but I need to do it as I get a low fuel pressure warning after accelerating hard at speed (say overtaking from 70mph+ on motorway).  Pretty sure it's just the fuel filter needing a change rather than a bad sensor etc.

I was thinking I'd just cut out an access panel in the under-shield with a Dremel and then rivet back in place once done.

Anyone else taken this approach or have a better way?

[fenj66]

what mileage has your car done?
i did mine after 5 years and 70k miles just for peace of mind. and it was a pain to do. you should be able to see where the filter is looking into the large box from underneath near the propshaft at front of box.
cutting out a hole sounds like a good idea to me!!

[JF1980]

It's done about 96k.  I have always had serviced at the stealers.  Looking at what a hassle it is I doubt they ever replaced the fuel filter even if they'd said they have.  My low fuel pressure issue started just after I unintentionally got extremely low on fuel so I imagine the filter sucked up all the crap in the bottom of the tank).

I want to sell the car soon to upgrade to an E70 or RRS so need to sort it out even though it's not really causing me any problems.

[Jamie_E53]

Do you know of anyone with a lifting ramp? I had a full service on mine yesterday and the fuel fitler was replaced. Your right there seemed to be a lot of screws and covers to get to it but it honestly took no more that 10 minutes with it up on the ramp. I wouldnt be too keen on just cutting the trays just to save a bit of time tbh.

[fenj66]

a couple of the bolts were really awkward if i remember correctly, with one or two even being hidden behind rear wheel arch liner.
as for a RRS i would hardly consider that one an "upgrade"!! lol 

[JF1980]

No ramp I'm afraid 

I'm still tempted by just cutting out a panel, it's an old car now.

RRS, depends how you look at it I guess.  I like the X70 but the chances of finding one with comfort seats for those long trips abroad are slim to none (I have them now in my E53 and they are soooo comfortable even on a 6-7 hour drive), plus, my one pet hate about the X is the lack of adjustment on the suspension for bumpy roads, speed humps etc.  Need to drive a couple anyway so let's see.  I've had my X for almost 6 years which is the longest I've ever kept a car and it has been a great all-rounder.

[JF1980]

Well I managed to squeeze under the car with a torch this morning and found the fuel filter.  Blimey it's a tight squeeze.

The shield around that area is quite thick aluminium, going to be tougher to cut than I though.  I had a look around the area and I still don't fancy trying to take all of that off - the running boards look like a pain to remove.  Even with those off it looks like a tough job without having the car up on stands - I wouldn't feel comfortable under the car on a jack and only have 2-ton axle stands.  I can drive that side up on to a few bricks to give me a bit more clearance to slide under but still..

Think I'm going to have to go ahead with the plan of cutting out a panel for access, trying to keep it as small as possible and riveting back in place afterwards.  The shield does appear to be just that I don't think it has any serious structural purpose?

[X5Sport]

Remember that's 2T EACH so you will be safe from that viewpoint.

If you have access to a pair of car ramps then you could drive up them, block the car from rolling and jack the rear onto stands?

Richard

[fenj66]

ive used concrete building blocks in the past as a make shift ramp to get the whole car up a bit

[JF1980]

I wouldn't bet your life on that, 2 tonne per pair http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks-axle-stands/halfords-2-tonne-axle-stands.  I guess in theory if you use them on the back, half of the weight is still on the ground, also the front must be a bit heavier what with the engine being there (although don't BMW always bash on about 50/50 weight distribution?).

Still pondering over whether or not I should do this.  The shield is so substantial it must be adding some kind of structural strength.

[Jamie_E53]

With it being a 10 minute job do you know of any local garages that will fit your own supplied part? Save you a bit of drama doing that.

[JF1980]

Well after pondering on it for a while and then my engine cutting out in the fast lane on the M25 - I bit the bullet and did this yesterday.  What a difference.  No 'Fuel Injc. System' warnings, acceleration is much improved I hadn't noticed how sluggish the car had gradually gotten!

I went down the route of removing trim etc.  Once I had it all apart it became apparent that there is a much easier way of doing this.  There are six pop-rivets attaching the metal side shield to the plastic under-shield.  Drill those rivets out, undo two nuts and two bolts holding the metal plate to the bottom of the car and you should have good access to change the filter.  Replace the pop-rivets when putting the shield back on.  £5-10 for a pop-rivet tool on eBay is well worth the time and hassle that will be saved by doing this.  I took a video of this to try to show what I mean, will post it later on.

[Sanj]

on the video - my next job, after the house....

[JF1980]

Here you go Sanj:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGj92asy9U8

Let us know if you try my suggested method.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="JF1980"]
It's done about 96k.  I have always had serviced at the stealers.  Looking at what a hassle it is I doubt they ever replaced the fuel filter even if they'd said they have. 
[/quote]

Which is why you should always ask for all the old parts back when anything is replaced at a service. Decent garages do it as a matter of course (if nothing else it a) proves they did it and b) saves then having to get rid of the parts)
Smee