Fuel Filter - Replace Or Not?

[MakaveliX]

Mercedes 2002 C240 with 33K on the clock.

The service book says every 75,000 miles or 4 Years for a fuel filter.

The last time the fuel filter was done was 2019.
Since then the car has literally done 3,500 miles at the most.

Is it worth getting the filter changed or not ? No issues starting etc.

I have done a lot of work on the car but doing the fuel filter won't be one of them, don't fancy getting under the car and having fuel going everywhere. So probably a job for the local indy who have lifts which would make this job a lot easier. Also the clamps on the fuel lines going in and out of the filter itself have a " clic-r " design. Which can apparently be difficult to work with, especially under the car with very little clearance.

So question is, as the car has barely been driven since the last change, is it worth doing ?

Thanks

[E-bmw]

75k service item, 33k on the car.

You already know the answer to that question.

[bearman68]

Not running the car can build up bio contaminants in the tank. So if it has been left with a very full tank, you should be OK.

But you already know the answer to this.

[MakaveliX]

Thanks. Reason I asked is because the 4 years has passed but I’m nowhere near the 75K mark

[E-bmw]

Time is not an issue for a filter unless it is like 20 extra years or similar.

[Tony1963]

MakaveliX said:

Thanks. Reason I asked is because the 4 years has passed but I’m nowhere near the 75K mark

Surely it’s either coming up to, or past, the five year point?

[stevieturbo]

E-bmw said:

Time is not an issue for a filter unless it is like 20 extra years or similar.

Oddly, VAG OEM filters have a use by date on them

Only seen it recently myself...and no idea why. Seems very odd.

A quick google brings up similar thing....might have been expiry date I seen, but nearly sure the wording was a use by.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tdi/comments/15s7s2v/fuel...

Edited by stevieturbo on Sunday 11th August 21:07

[E-bmw]

stevieturbo said:

E-bmw said:

Time is not an issue for a filter unless it is like 20 extra years or similar.

Oddly, VAG OEM filters have a use by date on them

Only seen it recently myself...and no idea why. Seems very odd.

A quick google brings up similar thing....might have been expiry date I seen, but nearly sure the wording was a use by.

Never seen it myself, but perhaps it is a shelf-life thing.

Certainly not something that would bother me if it is in good condition.

[MakaveliX]

Just for clarification when replacing the fuel filter, are " Petrol Clips " OK to use ?


The ones from the factory are clic-r style which open and close with pliers.


I know that using standard " Universal/Jubilee " clips are a bad idea as they do not give even pressure all round and can damage fuel lines.

Just checking that the " Petrol Clips " in the first photo are good enough for the job

Thanks

[E-bmw]

Yes, they are fine, not the best, but I have used them for years as a good price/functionality compromise.

[TwinKam]

Obviously reuse the clic-r ones if you can, if you don't have the correct tool, and you have enough room around them, you might get away with pincers/nippers. But they're not expensive and a handy tool to have in the chest.

[stevieturbo]

MakaveliX said:

Just for clarification when replacing the fuel filter, are " Petrol Clips " OK to use ?


The ones from the factory are clic-r style which open and close with pliers.


I know that using standard " Universal/Jubilee " clips are a bad idea as they do not give even pressure all round and can damage fuel lines.

Just checking that the " Petrol Clips " in the first photo are good enough for the job

Thanks

Depends on the application. But yes they are the correct type of clips for smaller diameter round hose

[Jordie Barretts sock]

stevieturbo said:

E-bmw said:

Time is not an issue for a filter unless it is like 20 extra years or similar.

Oddly, VAG OEM filters have a use by date on them

Only seen it recently myself...and no idea why. Seems very odd.

A quick google brings up similar thing....might have been expiry date I seen, but nearly sure the wording was a use by.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tdi/comments/15s7s2v/fuel...

Edited by stevieturbo on Sunday 11th August 21:07

But then, so does Buxton spring water that's been underground for thousands of years!

[MakaveliX]

Thanks guys.
I have plenty of fuel line ( petrol pipe clips ) from Halfords as shown above, right sizes, and will provide to the mechanic next week.

FYI, on the Mahle Fuel Filter packaging it says Expiry Date: None

[GreenV8S]

MakaveliX said:

will provide to the mechanic next week.

Wait, what? Providing parts or consumables to your mechanic is almost always a bad idea.

[E-bmw]

GreenV8S said:

MakaveliX said:

will provide to the mechanic next week.

Wait, what? Providing parts or consumables to your mechanic is almost always a bad idea.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

Let your mechanic use his tool of choice it is what you pay him for & that way if anything goes wrong it is 100% his issue.

If you give a mechanic stuff to fit & something goes wrong it will be your fault & will need the job doing/paying for twice to end up with the job done right.

[Tony1963]

MakaveliX said:

FYI, on the Mahle Fuel Filter packaging it says Expiry Date: None

For clarity, the expiry date will be for the filter being sat on a shelf, and stored within certain limits of temperature and humidity. Outside those limits, all bets are off. Fitted to a fuel system and being used, and used in the harsh environment of a road car? Change the thing at the manufacturer’s recommendations.

[njw1]

I bought a 5 series years ago that had covered 160-odd thousand miles, in its favour it had full BMW service history, however, as it was a petrol the fuel filter wasn't actually considered a service item by BMW hence it had never had a new one!
As the fuel filter had never been changed I fitted a new one and it made absolutely zero difference to how the car ran, since then I don't bother with them if the car's otherwise running OK.
On the missus Kia the fuel filter is actually in the tank and to change it requires removal and dismantling of the fuel pump cradle, it had a new one as per the service schedule when it was still under warranty but it won't be having another!

[Pica-Pica]

Tony1963 said:

MakaveliX said:

FYI, on the Mahle Fuel Filter packaging it says Expiry Date: None

For clarity, the expiry date will be for the filter being sat on a shelf, and stored within certain limits of temperature and humidity. Outside those limits, all bets are off. Fitted to a fuel system and being used, and used in the harsh environment of a road car? Change the thing at the manufacturer’s recommendations.

In that case it should be ‘install by’.

[stevieturbo]

GreenV8S said:

Wait, what? Providing parts or consumables to your mechanic is almost always a bad idea.

At a minimum have a conversation with them about parts used and reasons for or against from both parties.

I've seen too many "mechanics" use worm drive clips for small hose, and other monstrosities.....so supply isn't always bad...but always have the conversation with whoever will be doing the work.

Simply rocking up and demanding "these parts" are fitted....is not a usually good recipe. Nor is telling the mechanic what's wrong and how to fix it....( although sometimes they do need that )