Don't Forget to Replace the Fuel Filter

[thstone]

I recently replaced the fuel filter on my son's 2008 Mini Cooper S. It has the BMW-style fuel pump and filter in the fuel tank under the rear seat. The good thing is that everything is visible after the top cover is removed (unlike an early Boxster fuel filter).

This is a good reminder why you should replace the fuel filter every couple of years (and don't believe that a fuel filter is good for the life of the car!). I never knew/realized that gasoline was so dirty!

New (left) vs old filter (right)...


I siphoned out the fuel that surrounded the filter (inside the fuel filter/pump assy but on the tank side of the filter) and this is what it looked like. Pretty disgusting...

[Ciao]

What were the impacted performance issues that led you to change the fuel filter?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Ciao

What were the impacted performance issues that led you to change the fuel filter?

Earlier than expected fuel pump failures.

[thstone]

And yes, I apologize that this isn't a Boxster fuel filter (because my early Boxster has the fully enclosed external filter so I can't see what it looks like when I change it), but the point is that dirty gasoline doesn't know a Mini from a Porsche and if the Mini filter looks like that, you can be pretty sure that your Boxster filter looks like that too.

[356Guy]

I've got a new filter sitting on my bench. I don't know if the fuel filter has ever been changed.

[NewArt]

And I have a new filter that I bought for my '01, never changed it, sold the car and now, of course, it doesn't work with my '04!

[dghii]

I''m on Santa's 'nice list'.
I've done mine, twice in the 9 years and 55k miles I've owned the car.

[Troy.Boxster]

Thanks for the reminder! I have mine sitting on a shelf just waiting for me...

[Brian in Tucson]

Good idea! I'll order one today.

[TeamOxford]

I believe Porsche recommends changing the fuel filter on 1997-2001 Boxsters every 40K miles. The 2002-2004 models have a lifetime filter located inside the fuel tank.

Just sayin'............

TO

[dghii]

Originally Posted by dghii

I''m on Santa's 'nice list'.
I've done mine, twice in the 9 years and 55k miles I've owned the car.

Also as a public service reminder...make sure to double check that you've securely snapped the fuel lines back into your new filter. Second time I replaced my filter, I didn't have the supply side in all the way. It seemed ok when I finished the job (was also replacing motor mount, but was leaking after driving the car a short distance. I smelled gas and saw a puddle, so back on the lift for round two....