BMW 328d Fuel Filter Replacement

There are scary stories all over the internet about how difficult it can be to replace the fuel filter on your 328d. Difficulty with clips, fuel spilling out, and long cranking are just some of the things people mention. This video will show you it's not all that bad, aside from having to under the car to do it, and that you can mitigate most concerns.
Index:
0:00 Intro
0:11 Fuel filter overview
1:09 Bottom shield/cover removal
1:54 Fuel filter mounts and connections
4:49 Fuel filter change
5:59 Securing the new fuel filter
9:23 Bottom shield/cover installation
9:51 Priming the fuel filter/line with ISTA+
12:07 Should you reuse the fuel that came out?
*Affiliated Links
-Mahle OEM Fuel Filter: amzn.to/36aes04
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DISCLOSURE:
Some of the product links on this page are Amazon affiliated so I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support

[@tangalor7404]

Good video i've enjoyed it, but for the future notice the "second clip" on the fuel line attachment, it's a "push-type". You just push it toward the center of the fuel line an it automaticly spread the clips and you can slide the filter out. I hope this will make it a little easyer. Cheer, and keep up the good work on your bimmers guys.

[@2b2bs]

Does the other hose on the other side of the side ur talking abt connect to the top of the fuel sending unit?

[@kirwanjohn101]

Great instructions, one of the few videos out there on how to do it properly 😀👍

[@simondarrie666]

Finally found a filter the same as my 2016 x1 , great video many thanks always good to see what am about to take off

[@b3aner911]

Great video and nice little edits too. Thanks!

[@ptownjon9236]

Perfect video for the DIY person. The only issue I had on my car, was the clip at the rear of the filter did not want want to seat into the new filter. The solution was to straighten the bends slightly at the ends. The clip slid right in after that by hand, like yours did.

[@thejoebirgexperience8192]

Great video I really appreciate the detail.

[@tomw9796]

Great vid, nicely detailed! Will qtry this on my own.

[@LucasS666]

Really helpful video, fully of explaining. Thanks

[@felipef6516]

What a legend ! - great video thanks.

[@billyverduzco2337]

Awsome video man thank you!!!

[@hogasreluflorentin2105]

YOU ARE A HERO!!!!

[@JG-dl8jk]

Thank you so for the video. Helped out

[@SugeRealest]

Best video I have seen changing filtet

[@FaRKle0079]

Thanks!

[@SugeRealest]

@@FaRKle0079 if you haven't done it already a rear diff oil change would be nice

[@FaRKle0079]

@@SugeRealest Unfortunately my vehicle won't need that for quite a while, but I can see about getting a friend's vehicle in for that.

[@ramonali2001]

Great job i will do mine soon

[@Onizukachan915]

One thing I ran into that wasn’t mentioned but may help others. mine had a tamperproof torx head on one of the undertray retaining bolts. Luckily, I have those too!

[@Onizukachan915]

Thanks Farkle!

[@randomness5074]

Sweet, thanks for the nice N clear video. Shop wanted $110 for filter +1hr labor. Can get the oem Mahle online for under $50, will take 15mins!! Wooho

[@mikepolley1626]

Great video and very helpful. Any idea where to get replacements for those tiny green clips? I broke one and like to get them replaced. Thanks.

[@scottcrawford4148]

Nice tutorial

[@deleteduser3749]

very well done. thanks. wondering if you've looked into the CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failure. Mine just went out at 131,000 miles. unfortunately BMW decides that because the failing pump sends "man-glitter" into the fuel system, the whole fuel system requires replacement. $12,000.00 tank to injectors (everything in between). I am currently cleaning mine with a bit of compressed air and patience. wish i could have the $12,000 in my hand when I'm done, but saving money is almost as good. Diesel truck guys also have the CP4 pump so a search for "CP4 failure" will get you in the know. BMW extended the warranty on the pump to 120,000 miles/10 years. I just missed it. Please replace your H.P.F.P. if you're about to leave warrant and it is still going. not sure I have the patience to make a video about the process, but it is a labor of love. I'm lucky though now that I'm doing it myself, I'm also purchasing the fuel tank/pump removal tool that opens that ring lock thing, the timing sprocket lock tool set for removing the H.P.F.P. and a few others. plus. Being elbow deep into this nightmare, I've replaced my engine mounts and will also change my valve cover gaskets and oil cooler gaskets as they are starting to leak. Love this car though. was making 50mpg on the open highway coming back from AZ (75mph on cruise-control w/AC on) just before it committed suicide leaving Walmart. It's just a bad design flaw that the ultra low sulfur fuel here in the USA (sulfur gives lubricity) that lubes the pump mechanism is the same fuel that feeds the injectors and gets returned to the tank. funny, i purchased a german diesel so I could do fluid changes, get great mpg, and last for multiple hundred thousands of miles. it WILL last that long, just requires some stupid DIY-skills along the way. oh well, i saved money can brag about how "I" fixed it when I'm done. FML

[@Eggman147]

Awesome and very helpful content! I am trying to download the ista software to my computer for service to my 328d, any tips on how to do so as well as any recommendations on cables for connections?

[@FaRKle0079]

Any of the generic ethernet to OBDII BMW cables off of Amazon should work well. That's what I've been using. I got ISTA from the link in this thread a couple of years ago: www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1023698 But there are plenty of other hosts (including newer versions). UOBDII has a lot of links/install guides like this one: blog.uobdii.com/bmw-ista-d-ista-p-windows-7-8-10-download-how-to-install/ Note that you only need ISTA-D for general maintenance. No need to download ISTA-P and it's huge files.

[@dannychanel3502]

hello, that safety is how the sides are placed to enter the groove and the end to touch that small side of the filter?

[@a.kantautas2457]

Not priming the fuel system is what kills the CP4 pumps I've been told. Backyard fuel filter change without proper priming and CP4 pump dead + the whole fuel system full of metal particles within the first tank of diesel after the filter replacement.

[@user-lg4zm5nj8t]

Thank you so much for your videos on the 328d. I just acquired a 2014 328d xdrive. Would you happen to know what is completely needed With the ISTA+ and connector(s) and what version etc..is required. Thanks again.

[@FaRKle0079]

All you need is your laptop and an ethernet to OBD2 cable. There's an ISTA 4.x download floating around that will work.

[@GuessWho183]

Could you explain second step with ISTA, it takes 10 minutes with engine running as I can see?

[@Koyikabuto68]

Thank you for a very useful video. I would like to know where can I buy the cable and ista + software. Thanks again

[@FaRKle0079]

You can just get a generic ENET/OBD2 cable. As for ISTA I've used a link from the UOBDII site before successfully.

[@jvannghi]

Great vid. Do we need to release any pressure before disconnecting filter?

[@FaRKle0079]

Nope, no need to bleed off any pressure before disconnecting the filter.

[@1cut1]

Should the cover go on before the car is started so that any leaks can be seen?

[@ramellhourmez856]

is this ista bleeding function available for e46 318d and how can i purchase the program

[@user-zq6eh7to5r]

After the fuel filter both ends connected, priming, air goes where?

[@ivan63384]

Hello, thank you for your help with this procedure. My question is: is priming the filter(last step) optional or a must?

[@FaRKle0079]

Lots of people have been able to get it started without the ISTA priming step. Some people say that it primes if you turn on the ignition and just leave it on for a couple of minutes. I'm not sure it's as effective as the ISTA prime though.

[@ivan63384]

@@FaRKle0079 Thank you for the response. I've also learned that filling it (the filter)with the fuel, prior to installing it, helps.

[@FaRKle0079]

@@ivan63384 Yup, that sure helps too!

[@brentevans4430]

Have you seen TuneMyEuro’s 1 Micron Fuel Filter and Water Separator Kit? I believe this kit accepts Donaldson filters which Amsoil even sells on their site so they must be of good quality. TuneMyEuro just posted a install tutorial on their KZbin Channel. It seems that the way they fabricated it to mount would interfere with your custom 328d oil catch can setup. What are your thoughts?

[@FaRKle0079]

I have, and my hesitation with adding any additional filters is "What's the effect on flow rate?" How much are you limiting the flow and can the pump compensate properly or not? Without being able to see pump duty cycles, it's hard to know how the operating regime is altered. This would become more significant if running a tune where you have higher fueling requests too.

[@brentevans4430]

Can you provide a link to ISTAD/+ and any other diagnostic software you use? Thanks 🙏

[@FaRKle0079]

Try this: I believe this is where I downloaded mine from a while back. blog.uobdii.com/free-download-bmw-rheingold-ista-4-03-21-ista-d-for-bmw-icom/

[@brentevans4430]

Can you please make a video to inform us on what models of the N47 engine had the potential timing chain failure issues. I’m currently interested in purchasing a 2015 328d Wagon with 47,000 miles/excellent service history. There just isn’t much info on the web that talks about if BMW ever fixed these timing chain issues for the U.S. market. Thanks! 🙏

[@FaRKle0079]

The N47 came out with the previous E9x generation vehicles. The timing chain issues were resolved by the time the 328d came to the US. 2015 should be plenty safe.

[@brentevans4430]

FaRKle0079 Thanks for the help!!!

[@timarai2369]

@@FaRKle0079 Would that be true for a 2014 as well?

[@mamir62]

Would you mind telling where to buy ISTA ? I can find it everywhere, where did get it from and what kind of experience you had to set it up?

[@FaRKle0079]

I've downloaded it here before: blog.uobdii.com/bmw-ista-d-ista-p-windows-7-8-10-download-how-to-install/

[@mamir62]

@@FaRKle0079 would you share where did you buy the ENET cable for your BMW to work with ISTA, there are so many out there not sure which one to get?

[@FaRKle0079]

@@mamir62 I just have a generic cable from Amazon. Looks just like this one: www.amazon.com/AntiBreak-ethernet-Connector-Interface-Coding/dp/B07D8RHBNB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=250AZQ10EA63B&keywords=Ethernet+to+obd2&qid=1652546862&sprefix=ethernet+to+obd2+%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWFZLQ1QxNk5aUjkwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODk2NzQ5WllGMUpWOU9CVDNEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyMTUxNzFYOFlGN1JTQ1VLRUYmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[@MrBiggssr]

will Protool do the priming as well ? TIA.

[@FaRKle0079]

I haven't used Protool, but it seems like it could do the priming.

[@alimaala290]

Is there any other way to prime the fuel system without ISTA or a scanner? Can you not just do that by putting the car in auxiliary mode and wait a little bit and than off and repeat this for like 5 times? Would that be enough?

[@FaRKle0079]

The pump does get activated in auxiliary mode, but I'm not sure it would boost to the same pressure as when doing the priming procedure in ISTA. You shouldn't have to cycle it on/off multiple times. Just turn it on, and leave it on for 3-5min.

[@alimaala290]

@@FaRKle0079 ahh ok. Thank you very much

[@andyyoong2802]

Hi sir can I ask why my insta don't have that 3 minutes bleeds it just have 120s bleed only

[@FaRKle0079]

Not sure why yours has a different bleed time, but 2min is probably enough.

[@johnnaysmith7218]

So you did vent via ISTA for your car, it is F31, but I have a question. Should this be done on E60 LCI produced on 2008 with N47 engine too? Thanks in advance.

[@FaRKle0079]

Ideally if you can prime it you should.

[@johnnaysmith7218]

@@FaRKle0079 mhm, so I should try it with ISTA if I have an option available is what you are saying? Does it have to be only ISTA+ or do I have to have ISTA-P alongside it?

[@FaRKle0079]

@@johnnaysmith7218 Yes, if ISTA shows it as a function you can do for your vehicle I'd do it. You only need ISTA+/ISTA-D, don't need ISTA-P.

[@johnnaysmith7218]

@@FaRKle0079 Thanks sir. Appreciate the help!

[@selfexplanatory6459]

Will the fuel continuously come out once the old filter is removed or only a certain amount?

[@FaRKle0079]

Only a certain amount comes out. You can see how much near the end of the video when I say to not reuse the fuel that came out.

[@selfexplanatory6459]

FaRKle0079 thank you! I’m actually going to replace mine for the first time on Sunday.

[@FaRKle0079]

@@selfexplanatory6459 Cool, good luck!

[@tonymallon953]

Dan is under contract 20m to let him go !!

[@vexx5955]

high pressure pump and wallet says thanks

[@vladkot1]

🤣you don't have to spread legs apart, it's push in type connector 🍻

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

What cheap as* would reuse the drained fuel, never heard of someone doing that. With coolant yes, but not fuel. Lol

[@tonymallon953]

4-1 win to us tomorrow