Fuel Filter - Replace Or Not?

Fuel Filter - Replace Or Not?

Author
Discussion

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Saturday 10th August
quotequote all
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

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Sunday 11th August
quotequote all
Thanks. Reason I asked is because the 4 years has passed but I’m nowhere near the 75K mark

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Thursday 15th August
quotequote all
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

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Thursday 15th August
quotequote all
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

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Friday 16th August
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
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.
This is the exact reasoning I wanted to supply the specific clamps for fuel lines. Just in case they use worm drive/universal instead.
My mechanics are very good and have never let me down, thankfully. I always supply parts with no issues.

I will obviously be polite and ask if it is OK to use the fuel line clamps rather than worms/universal.

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Thursday 22nd August
quotequote all
Had the filter replaced two days ago at the mechanic, used a Mahle KL82 which are supposed to be the best for this car. It now makes this concerning noise..
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AVm5zibnvok

Noise didn't start right away, it was two days after install.

Any ideas ?

According to here, it can be caused by air in the system
https://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/media/media-glob...

Edited by MakaveliX on Thursday 22 August 16:35

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Thursday 22nd August
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
According to that link there is possibly another cause for concern.

"4. During installation, pay close attention to the fl ow
direction (Fig. 2) printed on the fi lter. Equally important:
do not interchange the fuel lines and always replace
damaged hoses and clamps."

So have they fitted the filter the right way round?
Yes I have checked, the arrow definitely points to the left
Also I do know the fuel pressure regulator is inside the unit itself on this car

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Thursday 22nd August
quotequote all
Must be a Mahle thing as another person on YouTube has the same issue. In the end they changed the filter to a different manufacturer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dIN403gf1Q

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

643 posts

36 months

Friday 30th August
quotequote all
I replaced the fuel filter with a Mercedes genuine and now the noise has disappeared and the car runs perfectly.

I am a bit concerned the engine could be running slightly lean as the MPG seems to be higher than before, and higher than what it should be around town according to the web.

No error codes, car runs perfectly. Any suggestions ? I did check for any leaks around the fuel filter after I fitted it and tightened up a couple of clamps and now seems to be dry.