Fuel Filters

**Slow4** · 06-24-2008 08:50 PM

Does it really matter which brand you get?

I've seen BOSCH, MAHLE, HASTINGS, and one sold by VAST.

**The_Jerbel** · 06-25-2008 04:37 PM

They're all good. I've never heard of the Hastings one, but the rest are all good. The VAST filter flows a little bit higher volume than the standard filter.

**Tifosi** · 06-25-2008 08:18 PM

I bought a Hastings one and had the Audi dealer install for me during a routine oil change visit. They had a hard time with it as the stock crush washers did not fit properly and was leaking. I ended up having to buy an OEM filter from the dealer to have it put on.

I am just telling you my experience as I honestly don't know if it was a dealer issue or if it was a vendor issue, which is why I am not naming any names here. However, with that said, if it is not an upgrade, I do think it is not such a bad idea to go with OEM parts whenever I can, even if it costs a little more.

**nizmosx** · 06-26-2008 01:18 PM

i had an issue with an oem one too. its the crush washers that cause the issue. the banjo bolt requires a smaller size washer yet the side on the filter requires a bigger washer. so i had to use the smaller crush washer on the fuel filter side for it to work. so far no leaks but it worries me till this day. =( i think the reasoning for this is the s4 had its own fuel filter and NOW they use 1 universal for a4 s4s and so on. very weird.

**2kblacks4** · 06-26-2008 01:19 PM

I don't even know the brand i went with, but i got mine from auto-zone and have had no problems for almost 6 thousand miles now. Install wasn't the funnest though, just a really tight space to work with.

**highPSI-S4** · 06-26-2008 04:06 PM

i bought one over a year ago and still haven't installed it. it's OEM so hopefully no issue's, but awhile ago i called 2 of the shops i like to go to and they told me they stopped installing them because of issue's with the washers causing them to leak. i want a good DIY but the only one i found is for an A4 and doesn't look the same as the S4.

**Slow4** · 06-26-2008 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by highPSI-S4

i bought one over a year ago and still haven't installed it. it's OEM so hopefully no issue's, but awhile ago i called 2 of the shops i like to go to and they told me they stopped installing them because of issue's with the washers causing them to leak. i want a good DIY but the only one i found is for an A4 and doesn't look the same as the S4.

Is it the DIY on a 98 A4? If so I've seen that one. Anywho, thanks gents. I guess i'll get the BOSCH or VAST version.

**The_Jerbel** · 06-26-2008 04:58 PM

It's pretty simple. You just undo the fuel tank straps, wedge the front of the fuel tank down about 1.5" or so with a piece of 2x4, undo the bolt on the strap holding the filter in, undo the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, replace the filter and washers, reassemble.

**Tifosi** · 06-26-2008 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by The_Jerbel

It's pretty simple. You just undo the fuel tank straps, wedge the front of the fuel tank down about 1.5" or so with a piece of 2x4, undo the bolt on the strap holding the filter in, undo the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, replace the filter and washers, reassemble.

More importantly, no smoking while you are working

**lil' is 300** · 06-26-2008 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by The_Jerbel

They're all good. I've never heard of the Hastings one, but the rest are all good. The VAST filter flows a little bit higher volume than the standard filter.

Pardon my ignorance, but how does a fuel filter flow higher volume... isn't that determined by the fuel pump and FPR?

**The_Jerbel** · 06-26-2008 07:55 PM

Yup, the pump and the FPR determine flow rate as well as the filter. Larger filter holes reduce flow restriction compared to stock filters...

**exorcet** · 06-26-2008 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tifosi

More importantly, no smoking while you are working

and don't get so excited that you finally got it down out of the strap that you forget fuel is going to come out when you loosen the 19mm bolt! that was a tasty, stingy lesson.

**alias747** · 06-26-2008 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tifosi

I bought a Hastings one and had the Audi dealer install for me during a routine oil change visit. They had a hard time with it as the stock crush washers did not fit properly and was leaking. I ended up having to buy an OEM filter from the dealer to have it put on.

I am just telling you my experience as I honestly don't know if it was a dealer issue or if it was a vendor issue, which is why I am not naming any names here. However, with that said, if it is not an upgrade, I do think it is not such a bad idea to go with OEM parts whenever I can, even if it costs a little more.

I had the same problem with my A6 when I did the fuel filter on it. I bought mine from PureMS and when I put it back on with the stock washers it kept leaking. PureMS told me that I needed new washers. So I went to the dealer and got those and it STILL leaked! So I told PureMS that I must have got a defective one and they sent me a replacement. I can't remember the brands but the replacement was a different brand than the first one and that one when I great without a single drip. That pissed me off though, I had to of wasted near a gallon of gas messing with taking the old filter off and trying the new one with different washers and such!

I just wish the fuel filter on the S4 was as easy as it was on the 6! The A6 has it wide in the open on the bottom of the car, simple! When I saw the location on my S4 I nearly crapped myself!