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

Nervous · 10-15-2012, 05:26 PM

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:

I suppose, it is obvious which one is which.

A/C Dryer, off E46, 150Kmi, 2001, original:

dmax · 10-15-2012, 05:31 PM

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

peytonracer4 · 10-15-2012, 05:36 PM

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

Mango · 10-15-2012, 05:46 PM

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

Nervous · 10-15-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

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

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

Zell · 10-15-2012, 06:26 PM

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?

Nervous · 10-15-2012, 06:37 PM

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

peytonracer4 · 10-15-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46Mango

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

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

trizzuth · 11-13-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46Mango

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

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.

Silverstalker · 11-13-2012, 02:36 PM

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

10-15-2012, 05:26 PM	#1
Nervous OEM ///Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: MD, USA Posts: 1,476 My Ride: 01 330CI 6MT ZSP EU3 View My Garage	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: I suppose, it is obvious which one is which. A/C Dryer, off E46, 150Kmi, 2001, original: __________________ My auto-6MT swap thread - FINISHED! A/C diagnostics, overhauling and charging DIY DIY: A/C expansion valve replacement DIY: Harness for SMG paddle shift retrofit (for steptronic auto) Oil pan gasket, motor mounts, steering guibo DIY (pics) DIY: Post-cat O2 (oxygen) sensors replacement (w/pics) FIXED: One-touch driver window opening - doesn't work

10-15-2012, 05:31 PM	#2
dmax Stay stock my friends! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Unit I Posts: 21,138 My Ride: '99 328i 1.03809 mu View My Garage	Nice! Okay, got to go...have to be by myself for a little! BRB __________________ This huge woman, like 400 pounds comes up to me and says, "Doug, I would rock your world." I replied, "but I need to breathe." The girl in my sig:http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...highlight=dmax

10-15-2012, 05:36 PM	#3
peytonracer4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 4,689 My Ride: '00 328i View My Garage	i wanted to do this but was scared sparks from cutting would ignite left over fuel. how did you remedy this? __________________ My e46 is for sale? http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...1#post14893484

10-15-2012, 05:46 PM	#4
Mango Platinum Plus Quality Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,272 My Ride: M54B30 View My Garage	Interesting. Fuel filter is DEFINITELY a must. Curious if anyone still hasn't changed theirs and is proud of it... __________________ Cooling \| Maintenance \| Vacuum \| Suspension \| Costs "Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." -Steve Jobs

10-15-2012, 06:26 PM	#6
Zell Wears carbon fiber boxers Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 3,690 My Ride: 330Ci ZHP 6sp View My Garage	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? __________________ E46Fanatic's resident mathemagician

10-15-2012, 06:37 PM	#7
Nervous OEM ///Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: MD, USA Posts: 1,476 My Ride: 01 330CI 6MT ZSP EU3 View My Garage	I guess, it is similar to silicagel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel __________________ My auto-6MT swap thread - FINISHED! A/C diagnostics, overhauling and charging DIY DIY: A/C expansion valve replacement DIY: Harness for SMG paddle shift retrofit (for steptronic auto) Oil pan gasket, motor mounts, steering guibo DIY (pics) DIY: Post-cat O2 (oxygen) sensors replacement (w/pics) FIXED: One-touch driver window opening - doesn't work

11-13-2012, 02:36 PM	#10
Silverstalker Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Swindon UK Posts: 33 My Ride: E46 325Msport View My Garage	Never knew it could get so dirty!!......

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