I was planning on changing the fuel filter and spark plugs on the car this morning, so I searched for as much information as possible and everything I found pointed at the daunting task of getting the filter from above the tank. When I went online to buy the parts, the filter didn't look like the filters I had been seeing, but I ordered it anyway, since it was listed as a "Direct Replacement". When I got to the parts store, I had the parts guy behind the counter double check for me and he confirmed. I started looking for the 8mm 12 point allen that was called for, then I hear the guy say: "Is yours a FWD?" I said "Yes". He then said: "Yeah, this is the right one. It just uses hoses and clamps."

When I got home, I prepared for the worst. I jacked up the rear quarter of the car (w/jack stand)........and wouldn't you know it - I saw the filter mounted right up against the frame. Easily accessible, with only two 10mm bolts, 2 hoses and 2 hose clamps. I couldn't believe it.

So, I'm creating this thread for anyone searching for:

2001, 2001.5, Audi, A4, AWM, B5, Fuel, Filter, Replacement, Replacing, DIY, How To (That should be enough search keywords

Tools needed: 10mm wrench, 1/4" nut driver (or just a screwdriver). That's it! ...Have a Mason Jar (or the equivalent) handy - if you can.

The first pic shows the passenger side quarter raised up.

The second pic shows what you'll see once you lay down and slide under the car, right in front of the wheel (mounted to the frame).

The Third Pic shows how I saved all of the gasoline lost in the process. My lawnmower is loving the premium fuel. lol

Long story short: Super easy, but makes a HUGE difference in every way.

 

will be doing this soon so thanks, is it the same on the 97 by any chance?

 

I'm getting ready to do it to my '97. I'm not sure if the bolt/nut sizes are the same, but it's practically the same procedure.

 

nice1 so in the same place easy to reach?

 

A 97 Quattro will have the fuel filter tucked up to the gas tank with banjo bolts, not hose clamps.

 

I have an 01 quattro with the 1.8t AWM and when i replaced my fuel filter it was tucked above the fuel tank like you originally thought yours was, so yours may have been replaced and before you bought it and they fabbed it so they could get to it easier or the FWD's are designed differently but I don't know why that would be.

Also when I replaced mine it sat snug enough I didn't use the 12 point bolt so that if I wanted to replace it again i wouldn't have to mess so much with the tank.

 

FWD A4 B5 models have a MUCH easier-to-get-to fuel filter, and no banjo bolts to leak. It's probably 10x easier to replace the fuel filter on a FWD compared to Quattro. I've done both.

Any Quattro guys looking for information in this thread, I suggest you step out. You'll find nothing useful here.

 

No, that's actually the stock design of the FWD. The AWD has more parts crammed back there, so there must be some reason why it has to sit above the tank. IDK.


+1 There are plenty of really well done AWD threads out there, but no FWD threads that I could find. That's why I created this one.

 

Somebody had to, eventually
Good job!

 

Thank you Sir.

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