BMW E90 Fuel Pump Replacement – 2007-2013 3 Series – Fuel Filter

The fuel pump and filter are located under the rear seat in all 2007-2013 3 series cars. They are easily accessible and usually can be replaced in less than an hour. It is very important to note that you must use a fuel pump removal tool (spanner wrench) to loosen the locking rings on the pump and filter. Trying to loosen the locking rings with a hammer and screwdriver can cause the plastic pump and filter to shatter, sending debris into the fuel tank.

1. Always disconnect the battery before performing a BMW E90 fuel pump replacement.
2. Grasp the front of the rear seat and pull it free from the body of the car. Remove the seat from the vehicle.
3. Fold the sound insulation back out of the work area.
4. Locate and identify the fuel pump and fuel filter covers. The fuel pump is on the right side of the vehicle...the filter on the left. Using a 10mm socket wrench, remove the four nuts securing the fuel pump cover. Remove the cover from the fuel pump.
5. Move to the left side of the vehicle and remove the cover from the fuel filter/sending unit.
6. Move back to the fuel pump and disconnect the two electrical connections by squeezing their locking tabs and pulling them free.
7. Using a flat blade screwdriver, gently depress the button release on the plastic fuel vent pipe. With the button depressed, pull the vent pipe free from the pump and tuck it out of the way.
8. Depress the release button on the second fuel vent pipe and remove it from the top of the fuel pump. Due to the lack of clearance, we found it was easier to depress this release with a metal pick as shown below.
9. Use a fuel pump removal tool to loosen the locking ring on the fuel pump. USE PATIENCE. It's not uncommon for the locking rings to be very stubborn to turn. Once the ring is loose, use your hands to finish turning it off of the fuel pump. Remove the locking ring from the pump.
10. Grasp the fuel pump and pull it up. Use a flat blade screwdriver or metal pick to depress the release button on the first fuel line. Pull it loose from the bottom of the fuel pump.
11. Repeat on the second fuel line as shown below.
12. Grasp the fuel pump and remove it from the tank.
13. Move to the fuel filter. Remove the fuel line by pulling its locking collar back and pulling it free from the top of the filter.
14. Remove the locking ring from the fuel filter.
15. Grasp the fuel filter and carefully pull up....slowly extracting the fuel feed lines from the tank. Remove the fuel filter from the vehicle.

Installing the new pump and filter is very straightforward...it is basically the above steps in reverse. It is important to note that the feed lines from the filter to the pump must be correctly installed in order for the system to work correctly. We give detailed photos below of how they are to be installed. Please also refer to our YouTube video for more detailed information on installation.

1. The new fuel pump and fuel filter come with new sealing gaskets. The sealing gasket should always be replaced to avoid gas fumes from leaking into the vehicle.
2. Use a metal pick to remove the old sealing gaskets on the fuel pump and fuel filter. Install the new gaskets pressing them gently into their mounting grooves.
3. Install the new fuel filter by carefully feeding the fuel lines to the right side of the tank. Stick your arm into the tank and push the fuel lines through under the seat. Take your time, being sure that all four fuel lines feed through correctly.
4. Put the fuel filter into the tank. Make sure the tab on the fuel filter fits into the slot in the tank. If you do not line up the tab correctly on the filter with the tank, you WILL NOT be able to get the locking ring back on.
5. Install the locking ring and tighten it until snug. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
6. Install the fuel line back onto the fuel filter and push until it clicks into place.
7. Do not replace the fuel filter cover yet. This will be done after you start the car and test for leaks at the end of this section.
8. Install the fuel pump back into the tank.
9. Install the fuel lines from the fuel filter back into the pump exactly as shown in the following image.
10. Make sure the tab on the fuel pump lines up with the notch in the tank. Install the locking ring and tighten it until snug.
11. Install the fuel vent lines.
12. Plug the electrical connectors back in.
13. Start the vehicle and confirm there are no leaks and the pumps are running correctly. You should be able to hear a humming sound coming from both the pump and fuel filter/sending unit when the engine is running.
14. Replace the covers on the fuel pump and filter and reinstall the rear seat.