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Thread: Gas Smell and Wet Fuel Filter

  1. #1
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    Gas Smell and Wet Fuel Filter

    I thought I noticed a gassy smell the past couple of days coming from my car. Tonight when I looked under my car the fuel filter was wet to the touch at the front. (my plastic cover shroud is broken so the filter is in open air under the car) I believe my filter is leaking and it can't hurt to swap it anyways cause I'm passing 140k.

    When I looked online I found the fuel filter for cheap ($20 ish) but there are also far more expensive options with the pressure regulator ($75+). My question is can I just buy the normal filter or do I need to buy the one with a pressure regulator? Is it built in to the filter by default?

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  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by trevzor4242 View Post
    I thought I noticed a gassy smell the past couple of days coming from my car. Tonight when I looked under my car the fuel filter was wet to the touch at the front. (my plastic cover shroud is broken so the filter is in open air under the car) I believe my filter is leaking and it can't hurt to swap it anyways cause I'm passing 140k.

    When I looked online I found the fuel filter for cheap ($20 ish) but there are also far more expensive options with the pressure regulator ($75+). My question is can I just buy the normal filter or do I need to buy the one with a pressure regulator? Is it built in to the filter by default?

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    Depends on what year your car is. I think post-facelift have the pressure regulator in the filter and pre facelift had it in the fuel pump itself. Regardless I'd get one with the built in pressure regulator, as if your pressure regulator on the fuel pump goes bad, then you still have the one in the new fuel filter accomplishing the same task.

    The more expensive filter with the regulator is definitely what I would purchase & it should only cost about $50. I got mine off of RockAuto I think, it's a MANN

    https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...411625&jsn=421

    Part is MANN WK532
    2003 530i M Sport [Black Sapphire Metallic & Sand Interior]

    IMG_1075 by Alex Wilson Photography, on Flickr



  3. #3
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    Sorry, I should've said my car. It's a 2000 540i. If the pressure regulator is in the filter on those then wouldn't I have no choice but to get it anyways?

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  4. #4
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    No choice. Replace the hoses, too.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  5. #5
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    Yep, replace the oem fuel filter with regulator (Mann ?), the hoses with new clamps, and patch or replace that shroud under the car. The fuel filter/hoses lines should not be exposed.

  6. #6
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    Well, last night I put paper towels underneath the filter and checked this morning for signs of any leakage. Sure enough there's a slow but substantial leak... Everything I own is breaking looks like a new filter/pressure regulator, clamps, and hoses are on order. Thanks for the input

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  7. #7
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    Oh- and I'll get that plastic shroud locally too when I find a parts car

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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by trevzor4242 View Post
    Everything I own is breaking Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
    I know how you feel...
    I do not believe in a risk free society where the thrill of living is traded for the safety of existence. Nick Ienatsch

    The law does NOT determine "right" from "wrong". They are unrelated.

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  9. #9
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Make sure you connect the hoses to the filter exactly the same as they are now connected to your old filter. It does make a difference and won't run correctly if you hook the hoses on the back of the filter up wrong. Maybe mark them before you remove them.

  10. #10
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    your Y/M has the separate regulator and filter, the cheaper of the two. if any doubt on which one to get, look up your car on realoem.com, get the part # and look from there. iirc tubing hookups are different on the two. and yes replace the hoses while in there, look especially at the one that comes off the filter and does a quick 90 degree turn.

  11. #11
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    He says he has a 2000 540 so his filter is the one that has the regulator in it, the more expensive of the two.
    The one that 1823alex linked to is it.

  12. #12
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    thanks for catching my oversight Jim, saw it was a year 2k, but didnt see the 540.

  13. #13
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    Is the only way to get clamps and hoses by buying the oem ones?

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  14. #14
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    No need for a trip to the dealer.
    I replaced my fuel filter 6 years ago using Gates 4219D hose and "fuel injection" hose clamps (type with screw and nut to clamp, rather than the more common gear clamp) and have had no issues in that time. Cost at NAPA was ~$10 CAD, so should be less than US$10 for you. I'm just coming due for the next Inspection II & I'll be doing the same again.
    Regards
    RDL

  15. #15
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    I just did mine last month. I used screw clamps as they were what I put on when I last change the filter 100K miles ago.
    I do have the OE clamps and the tool, but it's sort of a pain to cut them off, the screw clamps are easier to deal with.

    Here's a pic of the tu filter connections. The 2 hoses that connect to the back of the filter (right side in pic) are the ones you don't wan't to mix up.

    Gas_Filter3.JPG

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