HOW-TO: Replace fuel filter on a B6 1.8T (if it matters i'm tiptronic & quattro)

[bla4ck]

Symptoms: usually you'll start to hear a buzzing/humming sound coming from the right rear side of the car

Diagnosis: fuel filter needs to be replaced. the trend seems to be that fuel filters are being replaced around 40K. i'm here in CA and we use nasty 91 octane, which i'm sure shortens the life span of the fuel filter. if not replaced immediately, it can lead to damage and replaced of the fuel pump which is even more costly.



Parts & tools needed:
-Fuel filter - 8E0201511J (approx $60 at the dealer or $45 online/euro parts store)
-10mm socket
-torx-25
-flathead screwdriver (to pry off a plastic cap)
-rags
-couple cold beers to quench your thirst

Directions to install fuel filter:

Install time: 30mins+

1. NO SMOKING!!!

2. jack up the rear passenger side of the car. beneath the rear passenger door is a plastic panel (see 1st pic below). unscrew whatever you can using either the socket or torx bit. there will be a flat plastic cap in the middle that will need to be pryed of using a screw driver. be careful not to break it.

3. unscrew #5 (see 2nd pic below) using your torx bit



4. gently pull out fuel filter from plastic holder. the hose lines should be long enough to bring the fuel filter out.

5. disconnecting fuel lines to/from the filter.

WARNING! The fuel system is under pressure. Before opening the system, place a cloth around the connection. Then release pressure by carefully loosening the connection. (when i disconnected the hoses, i didn't notice any high pressure)

to disconnect the plastic clamps on the hoses, just press the color plastic sides with your fingernail (should be a blue, clear, and black). at this point gas will start to drip all over the place. use the rags to soaked it up. use the following sequence as stated in the Bentley manual:

5a. disconnect the clamps on the side facing the rear of the car. you'll see the following:

1 - Fuel return pipe "RL"
2 - Fuel supply pipe from fuel tank "VL"

once both are disconnected, i immediately reconnected them to the new filter in their proper locations.

5b. next disconnect the clamps on the side facing the front of the car

3 - Fuel supply pipe to engine "MOTOR"
4 - Breather pipe "E"

just like the other side, once the hoses are off, reconnect them to the new filter ASAP as gas will be dripping!

6. once all the hoses are reattached to the new filter securely, wipe up any excess gas using a clean rag.

7. place the filter back in plastic holder

8. screw back the torx screw (#5 from the 1st diagram above)

9. fit plastic panel back in place and screw in all the screws and you're DONE!

A few pics i took of the actual filter in place. Suggestion, print out these instructions and tape it to the bottom of the car like i did below.

Thanks to TheGaulois for providing the diagrams from the Bentley manual.









Keywords: fuel filter DIY, fuel filter replacement

[chuckdawg82]

good write up....

and +1 to the people that hate your sig....cuz I hate it too =)

[bla4ck]

[Ler]

Just got my filter + pump replaced at 38k miles. I'll probably use these instructions at 60k.

[FoKai]

[aca]

"2. jack up the rear passenger side of the car. beneath the rear passenger door is a plastic panel (see 1st pic below). unscrew whatever you can using either the socket or torx bit. there will be a flat plastic cap in the middle that will need to be pryed of using a screw driver. be careful not to break it."


Can you please describe the location of the plastic cap that needs to be pryed, you are reffering to, so that it is easier to recognize it.
Thanks

[philip200qt]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd relieve the pressure at the shrader valve rear of the fuel rail so it doesn't spray all over me under the car.

Or run the car and pull the pump fuse, either way.

[Mister.Sir]

with the rear wheel removed?

[bla4ck]

[bla4ck]