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I just replaced mine on my 02 coupe this last weekend. You need to get the car in the air so you can get under it. The fuel filter is on the drivers side rear of the car by the transmission. It is up on the side of the frame rail just above the fuel tank. I had to remove my x-pipe to get access to the fuel filter. (H-pipe as well)
The fuel filter is much easier to replace on 6 speed cars than A4 cars...The A4 is much bigger and makes it hard to get to the fuel filter..but Ive never had to drop exhaust or any other components to replace one on either an A4 or 6 speed car....Make sure you have the proper quick-disconnect fuel line tool before attempting the job....The fuel lines are plastic and can be damaged easily...Be careful not to kink them....Also, the 97-98 uses a different fuel filter than the 99 and newer C5...The 97-98 filter is only about $15....the 99 and newer is closer to $60 as it has a fuel pressure regulator built in it..
As one of the other posters stated is it forward of the rear wheels above the exhaust pipes. I did mine a couple of months ago, it was pretty easy, the key is to have the tool to release the quick release fittings on the fuel lines. I was able to do it without removing any of the exhaust system (I have a manual maybe it is more difficult to access in an auto). It took like a five minutes after I got the car in the air. The dumb thing about the design is that if one of those fittings leaks, it leaks fuel on the hot exhaust (can you say fire hazard). My advice, is after you get the filter on, pressurize the system (turn the key to the run position a couple of times) and look for leaks before you fire up.
The fuel filter is much easier to replace on 6 speed cars than A4 cars...The A4 is much bigger and makes it hard to get to the fuel filter..but Ive never had to drop exhaust or any other components to replace one on either an A4 or 6 speed car....Make sure you have the proper quick-disconnect fuel line tool before attempting the job....The fuel lines are plastic and can be damaged easily...Be careful not to kink them....Also, the 97-98 uses a different fuel filter than the 99 and newer C5...The 97-98 filter is only about $15....the 99 and newer is closer to $60 as it has a fuel pressure regulator built in it..
Ah yeah, never thought about the A4s.
Mine is a 6spd, and it will take about 2mins to change out.
I got mine from an undisclosed location for $33.97 US dollars, after shipping to me in Canada and the exchange rate it was $70(cdn). Still cheaper than I could get COST from my work.
Filter is a WIX too btw.
The green and blue clips on this filter can be squeezed with your fingers to release the fuel line...Be careful not to damage these clips as not all new fuel filters come with them..It's not uncommon to have to reuse these clips...The other end of the filter is the one that requires the quick-release tool..
BTW, this pic is upside down....The larger line (with blue clip) is the supply line from the tank, the smaller line (with green clip) is the return line that returns unused fuel back to the tank...The line on the other end of the filter (not visible in pic) goes to the engine....
Last edited by The NNIAL8R; Nov 12, 2009 at 10:42 PM.
I changed mine a few weeks ago on my 98 M6. It is in front of the axle on the drivers side of the tunnel. 97 and 98 are very easy to do. You'll understand as soon as you see it.
The fuel line clips are a little stupid but the tool ($9.00) made one side easy. The other side was easier to do with my fingers. Don't purposely mess up the fuel line clips - they may not be included in the new filter and you may have to reuse the old ones. This isn't difficult, you just need to know it going in to the job.
Unbolt the filter from the tunnel and unbolt the fuel lines from the tunnel then detach the fuel lines from the filter. Same thing putting it back. Put the lines on the filter then the bolt up the filter and then the lines.
I put off doing it for 2 years. It took 5 minutes.