Replacing The Fuel Filter In Your 95 Bmw 325Is

Replacing the fuel filter on a 1995 BMW 325is is a straightforward task that can be done at home. The fuel filter is responsible for filtering out small impurities such as dirt and rust that accumulate in the fuel tank over time. When the filter gets clogged, it can cause the car to run sluggishly or even stall.

1. Run the car until the fuel tank is less than a quarter full. This will reduce the amount of pressure in the fuel lines when you disconnect them.

2. Disconnect the battery to prevent any accidental sparks that could ignite raw fuel.

3. Jack up the rear driver's side of the car and support it with a jack stand. Ensure you jack up the car using a reinforced part of the vehicle's frame to avoid damage.

4. Crawl under the car and locate the plastic panel in front of the fuel tank. Remove the screws holding this panel to the chassis.

5. Locate the fuel filter and the hose clamp that holds it to its mounting bracket. Pull the filter off the bracket and let it hang freely.

6. Identify the arrow on the filter, which indicates the correct orientation for the new filter. The arrow should point towards the engine.

7. Use two pairs of vise-grips to clamp the fuel lines on both sides of the filter shut. Be careful not to damage the fuel lines.

8. Put on safety goggles. Loosen the hose clamps on both sides of the filter and pull the fuel lines off. Fuel will come out, so be prepared with a container to catch it.

9. Install the new filter, ensuring the arrow faces the fuel line going towards the engine. Push the fuel lines onto the new filter and tighten the hose clamps.

10. Remove the vise-grips clamping the fuel lines, allowing fuel to flow back through the filter.

11. Push the new filter back into the mounting bracket and tighten the hose clamp. Reattach the plastic panel and screws.

12. Lower the car, reconnect the battery, and fill up the fuel tank. The car may take a few tries to start as you need to pump fuel back through the system.

It is recommended to replace the fuel filter at least once a year or every 10,000 miles. This basic maintenance task will help keep your BMW running smoothly.

Tools and safety equipment needed

To replace the fuel filter on a 1995 BMW 325is, you will need a range of tools and safety equipment.

Tools

• Floor jack and two jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Paper towels
• Drip pan
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Duct tape
• Large C-clamp or Vice-Grips
• Small crescent wrench
• Fire extinguisher
• Fan (in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside of the garage)

Safety equipment

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Eye protection
• Fire extinguisher
• Rags

How to locate the fuel filter

To locate the fuel filter of your BMW 325is, first, jack up the rear driver's side of the car and firmly support it using a jack stand. Then, crawl under the car. Directly in front of the fuel tank, you will see a plastic panel. Remove the screws that hold this panel to the chassis. You will now see the fuel filter.

How to disconnect the fuel lines

To disconnect the fuel lines, you will need to jack up the car and crawl underneath it. The fuel filter is located on the left side of the car, underneath the engine.

Before disconnecting the fuel lines, you should clamp them to minimise the amount of fuel that will leak out. You can use a large C-clamp or Vice-Grips (with the jaws covered in duct tape) to do this.

Now, disconnect the fuel lines. You can use a small crescent wrench to pry the lines off if they are stuck. If this doesn't work, make a small 1/4" cut along the length of the line and try again.

Be prepared for fuel to come out of the filter when you release the lines. Wear gloves and eye protection, and have paper towels and a bucket on hand to catch the excess fuel.

How to remove the old fuel filter

To remove the old fuel filter from your 1995 BMW 325is, you will first need to ensure that you have the right tools for the job. These include: a floor jack and two jack stands, safety glasses, rubber gloves, paper towels, a drip pan, wheel chocks for the back wheels, a flat-blade screwdriver, duct tape, a large C-clamp or Vice-Grips, a small crescent wrench, a fire extinguisher, and a fan.

Once you have gathered your tools, follow these steps:

• Park your car on level ground and engage the parking brake.
• Loosen the fuel cap to release the pressure in the tank.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Jack up the car and place jack stands at the recommended jacking points.
• Locate the fuel filter. It is generally in the same location for all cars - on the left side of the car, somewhat underneath the engine.
• Pull out the fuse for the fuel pump. In general, this is fuse #9 on the E30 cars and fuse #18 on the E36 cars.
• Crawl underneath the car and disconnect the line. Clamp the fuel line before disconnecting it to minimize the amount of fuel that will leak out. You can use a large C-clamp or Vice-Grips with the jaws covered in duct tape to avoid damaging the line.
• With both the inlet and the outlet to the fuel filter clamped, release the hose clamps on either side. Have a small bucket handy to catch the excess fuel when you release the line.
• Take the filter out and put it, along with any leftover or spilled gasoline, outside your garage immediately. Let the garage sit empty for about 15-20 minutes to allow fumes to clear.

How to install the new fuel filter

To install the new fuel filter, you will need to follow these steps:

• First, ensure that the car's fuel tank is almost empty. This will minimise the risk of spillage during the replacement process.
• Disconnect the battery to reduce the chance of a spark igniting any raw fuel.
• Jack up the rear driver's side of the car and support it using a jack stand.
• Crawl under the car and locate the plastic panel in front of the fuel tank. Remove the screws holding this panel in place.
• Locate the hose clamp holding the filter to its mounting bracket and remove the filter, allowing it to hang free.
• Check for an arrow on the filter, which indicates the correct orientation for the new filter. The arrow should point towards the engine.
• Use two pairs of vice grips to clamp the fuel lines shut on both sides of the filter. Take care not to damage the lines.
• Put on safety goggles and loosen the hose clamps on either side of the filter. Be prepared for fuel to come out of the filter.
• Take the new filter and ensure the arrow is facing the correct way, then push the fuel line onto the filter and tighten the hose clamp.
• Repeat this process for the other fuel line, connecting it to the other end of the new filter.
• Remove the vice grips from the fuel lines and push the new filter back into the mounting bracket. Tighten the hose clamp.
• Re-attach the plastic panel and lower the car. Reconnect the battery and fill up the fuel tank.
• The car may take a few attempts to start as air has been introduced into the fuel lines. Keep trying and the fuel pump will deliver fuel to the injectors and pump the air out of the system.

Frequently asked questions