996 Fuel Filter / Fuel Pump

[moosey]

Anyone know how many miles until the Fuel fiilter and Fuel pump needs to be replaced on 2002 996's ?

[KevinMac]

I know the 2000 book calls for fuel filter replacement @ 30K miles, think it was extended to 60K miles on newer years. Maybe someone has a manual for your model with the schedule in it.

Edited February 2, 2009 by KevinMac

[Loren]

Anyone know how many miles until the Fuel fiilter and Fuel pump needs to be replaced on 2002 996's ?

On MY02 and newer cars it does not require changing unless the fuel tank become contaminated.

From the Model year 2002 Porsche Service Information book:

"The fuel filter is integral in the tank unit and no longer requires changing."

[britdave]

Yes ,I found that out also. What I can't change the fuel filter in my 2002 996 ! Amazing, but true. I wonder why Porsche did this ? I firmly believe the fuel filter should be changed ,just like all the other filters. Perhaps this is just another way the dealers can make more $$$ ? Is there any way to fit another auxiliary fuel filter into the system ? Have they continued this "integral fuel filter" nonsense on models after 2002 and the 996 or 997 models ? Anyone have any thoughts on this ? Cheers Dave.

[Loren]

Yes ,I found that out also. What I can't change the fuel filter in my 2002 996 ! Amazing, but true. I wonder why Porsche did this ? I firmly believe the fuel filter should be changed ,just like all the other filters. Perhaps this is just another way the dealers can make more $$ ? Is there any way to fit another auxiliary fuel filter into the system ? Have they continued this "integral fuel filter" nonsense on models after 2002 and the 996 or 997 models ? Anyone have any thoughts on this ? Cheers Dave.

Non replaceable in tank fuel filters are pretty much the standard in all cars today.

Unless your fuel tank has been contaminated you normally do not need to change this filter.

[ninsei]

May be orthogonal but I think a valid question is: what's so special about the 2002+, in tank filter that makes it last "forever" as opposed to the 2000 one that's inline and "must" be replaced?

[JFP in PA]

The tanks are now plastic, so no internal corrosion. All fuel supplies are filtered at the pumps now, so source contamination has pretty much been eliminated as well. Getting rid of the traditional in-line filter removes one more service item/potential failure point in the system; and reduces both cost and weight..............

[Cloudsurfer]

I understand that in theory, between plastic tanks and all the filtration that fuel goes through before it goes into the car's tank, that there should be almost no need for a filter, and that if a filter is present in the car, that there should be so little debris caught by it that it should last forever, but I still don't buy it. I've seen filters off earlier Boxsters and 996s that have a replaceable filter, and have seen them get clogged.

Sometime when I have a broken fuel pump from a non-return car I'd love to tear it down and see just how much crud is in there.....

[JFP in PA]

This has been a general trend thought the automotive industry; in 1997, all Nissans had in-line filters from the factory, by 2004, almost none of them did, using a small filter that is integral to the in-tank fuel pump, but not serviceable separately. If it gets plugged, you install a new pump, just like the newer Porsches…………… The OEM’s collect data and figure out that they are changing plugged fuel filters at nearly the same mileage as fuel pumps, giving them onus to combine the two.