Signs My BMW’s Fuel Filter Is Clogged
The recommended mileage milestone at which to have your BMW’s fuel filter changed is every 30,000 miles. This is the case with any European automobile. Not only do we change the fuel filter at 30,000 miles but we also flush the fuel system to make sure the fuel hoses are clear. If you fail to change the fuel filter when it needs it, it will clog and you will have the following problems with your BMW.
Hard/No Starts
It is going to be difficult to get the BMW started if the fuel cannot make its way through the clogged fuel filter. Unfortunately, the same is true if you have clogged fuel hoses or clogged fuel injectors. This is why it is critical to have the system flushed every 30,000 miles. This removes the dirt and sediment that builds up inside of these fuel system parts.
Misfiring/Stalling
Let’s say that you did get your BMW started. It still needs a steady stream of fuel in order to run smoothly. If one or more of the cylinders is not getting enough fuel to fire, the BMW’s engine is going to misfire. You will not only be able to feel the BMW jerk when the engine misfires but also hear the engine cut out. In serious cases, the engine will stall.
Rough Idling
In addition, your BMW is going to idle roughly when you are sitting at a stop. This, too, is caused by the engine misfiring due to the lack of fuel. Unfortunately, if the engine idles too roughly, it will stall. These engine performance problems will also affect the fuel mileage you get out of the BMW. We wish we could say that it will improve your gas mileage, but it will make it worse.
Whining Noises
As if the above problems were not bad enough, a clogged fuel filter can also damage the fuel pump. The fuel pump does not meet resistance when it pushes the fuel into the engine if the fuel system is clear. The clogged filter will make it harder for the fuel pump to push the fuel into the engine. You may hear the fuel pump whining in your fuel tank.
Unfortunately, this means you may end up with a dead fuel pump in your BMW because it overworked itself. Consequently, this is an additional fix that will need to be done. To avoid these problems, call our shop to set up a service appointment for your BMW if it has been 30,000 miles since your last fuel system service.
