BMW Fuel Filters

[walilisseu]

After 'poking around' I thought this may be the best forum to ask this, since it doesn't apply 'just' to LTs (at least I don't think it does) and it isn't an accessory, and while it is a dealership that recommended this, it really didn't 'fit' there either.

Well, with that introduction the question is simple ... do you go by the BMW recommended change frequency of the the fuel filter (every 24K) OR per my dealership's recommendation, every 12K?? I realize the part isn't too pricey, but on the LT even though the fairing is completely removed, for access, on the 12K service(s), I've understood my dealership still charges about $79 ... something like $179 if it is done all by itself. I'm sure plenty of you will ask why I don't buy it and replace it myself ... my track record isn't too good at doing 'self' repairs, and I certainly don't want to mess-up my fantastic ride!!

The reason the dealer made this recommendation is that apparently they've had experience that these filters 'plugging up' with consistency? between the 24Ks? With the hundreds of thousands of miles ridden by this community, I'm assuming your experience would be as / more valid.

Thanks in advance,

[Motomadman]

At $79 divided by 12000 mi. seems like a no brainier seeing you can't do any of your own maintainance. .1518 cents per mile?

[Hilton]

I've just replaced mine at 16,000 kms (10,000 miles). Why? Because I had all the bits off doing some electrical work, and I wanted the experience. My only change was to reinstall using reusable clamps (stainless) Did it need doing ? Not at all, although I might add that flushing the old filter did produce a sizable amount of fine silt like particles. Heck, that's what a filter does. Filters. I think the overriding consideration would be the quality of the gas you fill up with, or whether your ride is exhibiting gas starvation symptoms.

[kellenbenz]

I am currently running a test on fuel filter endurance on my 2003 LTE. The original filter has 47300 miles on it with no problems at all. I once ran a GL 1500 104000 miles on the fuel filter before it gave signs of loss of power on fuel demand. I have been lucky and have had good quality gas also.

HTH

Ron

[jzeiler]

I say change it. Mine was pretty bad after 24K (that is the recommended interval). I do know one person that got stranded on an old K75 until she went in from the top of the tank and changed her fuel filter (yes she carries a spare). She has 324,000 miles on this bike also.

I see no value in setting a world record for fuel filter usage (sorry).