Autopsy day: 2 fuel filters and a/c dryer (pics)
 

Just for educational purposes I decided to look inside 2 fuel filters and 1 dryer.
I had a fuel filter off E39 2000 540i, 127Kmi, original (production year on the filter is 1999) and another one off E46 330ci, production year 2008 (not original), mileage on the filter is approx 50 kmi:
http://images16.fotki.com/v369/photo...MG_8695-vi.jpg

http://images61.fotki.com/v665/photo...MG_8699-vi.jpg

I suppose, it is obvious which one is which.

A/C Dryer, off E46, 150Kmi, 2001, original:
http://images20.fotki.com/v685/photo...MG_8697-vi.jpg
http://images52.fotki.com/v734/photo...MG_8698-vi.jpg
http://images51.fotki.com/v102/photo...MG_8700-vi.jpg

Nice! Okay, got to go...have to be by myself for a little! BRB

i wanted to do this but was scared sparks from cutting would ignite left over fuel.
how did you remedy this?

Interesting. Fuel filter is DEFINITELY a must. Curious if anyone still hasn't changed theirs and is proud of it...

Just let them dry for some time and then "dremeled".

Hah, dryer is cool. I wonder what the little beads are made of? I have actually seen something like that before.

In a very, very old hard drive, there was an air filter of epic proportions inside. One part of the air filter contained beads very similar to that. It makes a lot of sense now why it was there - they somehow reduce moisture?

I guess, it is similar to silicagel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel

I had my original one on at 104k miles with no problems. Just changed it though

Changed mine around 120K miles I think. Fuel that came out looked just like what went in, clearish yellow hue, no darkness. Maybe the cleanliness of your fuel depends on where you live?

Also have buddy who is a 2000 528i with 265,000 miles on the ODO. Original Fuel Pump, original fuel filter, original CCV, I keep asking him when he expects to get towed, but he just laughs.

Never knew it could get so dirty!!......