REPLACE FUEL FILTER OR NOT
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 48
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From: NC
2008 MB E320 BlueTec. 2011 Porsche Boxster 987. 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport MT, 1995 BMW K75 motorcycle
REPLACE FUEL FILTER OR NOT
My 2008 MB E320 BlueTec has only had one fuel filter change which was at 30K miles by the MB dealer. Since the car runs quite well I actually see no need to replace the filter even at 120K miles. At 60 MPH in cruise control I downshifted to 4000 RPM and left it there for just over one minute. The engine did not miss a beat which would indicate to me there is no obstruction in the filter and therefore a replacement is not necessary at this time. I am interested to know if other members agree or disagree with my reasoning. Many thanks for your input.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
My 2008 MB E320 BlueTec has only had one fuel filter change which was at 30K miles by the MB dealer. Since the car runs quite well I actually see no need to replace the filter even at 120K miles. At 60 MPH in cruise control I downshifted to 4000 RPM and left it there for just over one minute. The engine did not miss a beat which would indicate to me there is no obstruction in the filter and therefore a replacement is not necessary at this time. I am interested to know if other members agree or disagree with my reasoning. Many thanks for your input.
Why wait for it to fail, which it will and at the worst possible time to save $30?
Last edited by dhurley; Dec 24, 2019 at 11:38 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Filters on modern cars, or even more modern dual-wall tanks at gas stations last very long time.
But than sometimes single fill from contaminated tank is all it takes.
Fuel filter for diesel is the only spare parts I actually carry in my cars as the serpentine belts never used on cars I already sold make big box in my garage.
So at this point you have 90k on the filter?
Even the filter might be pretty clean (depends where you fill up) there is no way to determinate it, so I would replace it at convenient time (no rush) assuming you have spare one and are ready to replace it on the road.
My old Ford truck had filter intervals at 30k miles, yet I made like 86k before truck start slowing down on the grades. So there is some warning before you become stranded.
Truck was used for heavy hauling (lot of fuel) and frequently operated in dusty conditions.
Truck had air filter minder and HD air filter lasted 90k miles as well
But than sometimes single fill from contaminated tank is all it takes.
Fuel filter for diesel is the only spare parts I actually carry in my cars as the serpentine belts never used on cars I already sold make big box in my garage.
So at this point you have 90k on the filter?
Even the filter might be pretty clean (depends where you fill up) there is no way to determinate it, so I would replace it at convenient time (no rush) assuming you have spare one and are ready to replace it on the road.
My old Ford truck had filter intervals at 30k miles, yet I made like 86k before truck start slowing down on the grades. So there is some warning before you become stranded.
Truck was used for heavy hauling (lot of fuel) and frequently operated in dusty conditions.
Truck had air filter minder and HD air filter lasted 90k miles as well
Last edited by kajtek1; Dec 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: GTA
W212 Bluetec
My friend owns a 600k km Jetta Tdi and the first fuel filter was replaced at around 575k.. It was actually bogging the engine so definitely plugged..
There are a lot of factors, such as filter size, etc..
On my car I don't plan on replacing it every 40k or whatever is recommended but also wont wait for 500k...Perhaps 150k 😀
There are a lot of factors, such as filter size, etc..
On my car I don't plan on replacing it every 40k or whatever is recommended but also wont wait for 500k...Perhaps 150k 😀
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 245
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2008 gl320cdi
I have been replacing every 20k when I change my air filters. Which usually look dirty. Would prefer to change every other if acceptable. I was told that was the recommended but never really looked into it
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 126
Likes: 28
E250 GLE300d
I don't see it the same way at all. These are great cars and reliable -- until they aren't. I don't know if we can avoid problems down the road, but maybe changing the oil, air filter and fuel filter will help. Maybe it will make a difference, or maybe it won't. But it doesn't cost much money and it's easy to do.
Good luck.
/
Good luck.
/
Last edited by mfab; Jan 20, 2020 at 02:55 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
The air filters on OM642 cost about $120 at internet dealer and were like 3 hr to replace due to very poor access.
Fuel filters lately are mounted inside the tanks, so not only big job, but has risk potential.
Would be shame to dispose them at 20% of useful life.
That is why smart people invented Filter Minder for air filter. I only wish something like that would exist for fuel filters.
Fuel filters lately are mounted inside the tanks, so not only big job, but has risk potential.
Would be shame to dispose them at 20% of useful life.
That is why smart people invented Filter Minder for air filter. I only wish something like that would exist for fuel filters.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
The air filters on OM642 cost about $120 at internet dealer and were like 3 hr to replace due to very poor access.
Fuel filters lately are mounted inside the tanks, so not only big job, but has risk potential.
Would be shame to dispose them at 20% of useful life.
That is why smart people invented Filter Minder for air filter. I only wish something like that would exist for fuel filters.
Fuel filters lately are mounted inside the tanks, so not only big job, but has risk potential.
Would be shame to dispose them at 20% of useful life.
That is why smart people invented Filter Minder for air filter. I only wish something like that would exist for fuel filters.
Air filters get VERY dirty very quickly. Its amazing how many bugs they can suck in. We're talking needing replacement every 20k in a normal climate. More often if where you live is sandy or on a dirt road.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
The single filter for my E250 BT retails at $75 and as I said dual filters for E320 BT cost well over $100, so what engine takes $20 piece?
Driving in CA with filter minder I made 90,000 miles and it still show clean filter when I sold the car. If you need new air filter at 20k, you better walk with respirator on.
Driving in CA with filter minder I made 90,000 miles and it still show clean filter when I sold the car. If you need new air filter at 20k, you better walk with respirator on.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
The single filter for my E250 BT retails at $75 and as I said dual filters for E320 BT cost well over $100, so what engine takes $20 piece?
Driving in CA with filter minder I made 90,000 miles and it still show clean filter when I sold the car. If you need new air filter at 20k, you better walk with respirator on.
Driving in CA with filter minder I made 90,000 miles and it still show clean filter when I sold the car. If you need new air filter at 20k, you better walk with respirator on.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
The picture I posted shows both filters from the OEM supplier (even highlighted) for under $42 total. Just because it doesnt come from the dealership doesnt mean its not OEM. Mercedes doesn't make filters. Its outsourced. Its the exact same product, but a different box.
There is no prestige in buying overpriced filters just because they come in a Mercedes box.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
You choose to dispose filters without checking if they are filled up, When this is your choice, I don't see much sense in it.
You are making misleading replies. You post that filter cost $20, but you forgot to mention that the engine takes 2 of them.
You are comparing OEM filters as same quality as OE.
They are not.
I rather buy OE air filter and install a gauge to monitor it.
You are making misleading replies. You post that filter cost $20, but you forgot to mention that the engine takes 2 of them.
You are comparing OEM filters as same quality as OE.
They are not.
I rather buy OE air filter and install a gauge to monitor it.
Last edited by kajtek1; Jan 3, 2020 at 03:17 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
You choose to dispose filters without checking if they are filled up, When this is your choice, I don't see much sense in it.
You are making misleading replies. You post that filter cost $20, but you forgot to mention that the engine takes 2 of them.
You are comparing OEM filters as same quality as OE.
They are not.
I rather buy OE air filter and install a gauge to monitor it.
You are making misleading replies. You post that filter cost $20, but you forgot to mention that the engine takes 2 of them.
You are comparing OEM filters as same quality as OE.
They are not.
I rather buy OE air filter and install a gauge to monitor it.
MANN makes the filters for Mercedes. OEM is exactly the same as OE. If you open your Mercedes air filter box that you purchased online or at the dealer, you will see a nice little MANN logo on them.
MANN LOGO ON MERCEDES PART!
For the claim that I'm misleading that the filter is only $20 and no mention of two, see my original post where I said they were $20 apiece:
Even if you buy OM642 filters in a fancy Mercedes box, they are $42 each. Not $120 for both.
Dont blame me for your lack of reading comprehension or understanding of how parts repackaging/rebranding works in the automotive world.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: NC
2008 MB E320 BlueTec. 2011 Porsche Boxster 987. 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport MT, 1995 BMW K75 motorcycle
Thank you very much all you guys who responded to my Fuel Filter question. Some advice was useful some of it was not relevant. Meanwhile I have replaced the filter ($55 incl., freight) which is not a job for every shade tree mechanic. At least not on a 2008 E320 BlueTec. Fortunately a Mechanical Engineer friend of mine gave me some support during the process.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: NC
2008 MB E320 BlueTec. 2011 Porsche Boxster 987. 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport MT, 1995 BMW K75 motorcycle
Thanks everyone who read or responded to my Fuel Filter issue. I bit the bullet and installed an O.E.M. Hengst filter which was somewhat easier than I had anticipated as a shade tree mechanic who just likes tinkering with cars. The operation took me 2 1/2 hours. Just a note for those who wish to do their own BlueTec filter change. Mine had an electric heater element attached which does not come with any of the new filters and I could not find any on the Internet.. You have to cannibalize the old filter for this item.
