Τhis is one of the most usefull DIYs in the whole board... And here is my question: Exactly the same procedure is necessary for the R50 Cooper? And the fuel filter part number is the same?

Yes the procedure is exactly the same for a R50. Don't remember the part number but I got my fuel filter kit from minicarparts.net

Ours won't re-pressurize the system :confused:

We've pulled it back apart and checked the gaskets, but when we try to prime, we can hear the pump and a sucking gurgling sound.

??

Bob

Interesting, I had driven the car until it had only a quarter tank of gas. A mechanic friend asked if the car had enough gas to repressurize the system. I finally added 5 gallons and it repressurized and started right up.

Bob

Check the tank seals!
 

Just received the filter kit from the dealer....Part# 16 14 6 757 196
Upon close inspection of the 2 large tank seal, both have on the bottom side
(the side that says this side down) in large print DIESEL ONLY. I've called the parts guy and he is researching it....will someone who has recently changed out the filter please look on the unused seal that is left over and check...I'm not going to install it until I get the word from Flow Mini...I'll post an answer when MINI calls me...thanks. maurola

Mine does not have the "DIESEL ONLY" print.

Thanks for checking, now I know the ones I have are wrong...Flow Mini just called and ordered another kit and 2 additional Tank seals, they have also called BMW and alerted them but I don't have any more info at this time....will post an answer when I know

I have an 02' Mini cooper base. My filter housing is completely different than the ones in the picture. I cannot figure out how to open it up. The canister is NOT a twist off one. Somebody please help!

try this
 

Look up you car on real.oem.com...enter the last 7 of you vin to get the right break down...also check your tank seals...some were packed that were diesel only///look on the side that says this side down...the bentley manual has nothing on the change out for the filter..good luck

Thanks maurola. I checked out the website. I found a simple drawing of the filter system but no tips on how to open the canister. I guess it remains a mystery.

Did you try gently prying the halfs apart to see if you can get any seperation...get a helper so you can lift and turn at the same time...try counterclockwise and also clockwise on the twist, clean the top very well and look for tabs, locks or directional arrows..it may lift to unlock, then turn or it may just lift...if you break it, you can replace the entire assembly but that's an expensive PITA...drain tank, disconnect lines, buy need cannister with float level sensor ect...good luck

what's your last 7 of the vin and I'll look and try to trace it down

I just used this DIY and it was great finished in an hour and my filter was black!!!!!! 03 cooper with 92,000 I'm sure its never been changed. Next up for me is the CVT transmission fluid swap :nod:

just swapped my filter and now my service engine light is on. also i can hear a "whooshing" sound from around the filter. i pulled it out and re-tightened it. took the car around the block and it seems to hesitate when i step on it. help please!!!

My guess is that you have a O ring either out of place or missing inside the fuel filter cannister or you have the tank seal upside down or out of place....take you time and check from the inside out

took it all apart again and still having the same issues. engine light and noise. not sure what is going on.

Do you have a code reader...if so that would help...what's the fuel level...others have had problems until they added enough fuel so it would purge out the air...maybe that would help

i topped off the tank after this problem. still no luck.

did you have much trouble getting the filter cannister halfs apart....could you have cracked the cannister or the green QD connecter on the fuel line?

can you run the car with the inspection plate removed and try to hear or find the air leak...maybe feel around the seal and the hose....check where the hose attaches to the QD.... and where the QD hooks into the cannister...

try that cause beyond that it will get costly and require pulling vacuum on the fuel line beyond the QD...a new cannister assembly which would regiure a possible tank drain...and on and on and on until you find the leak

i didnt have much trouble getting the canister apart. i really thought the problem was the large O ring where the two halves of the canister attach. i thought it might have been sticking so i lubed it up good but still have the problem. it does not appear to be leaking anywhere.

can you hear any air leak...do you have access to a stethoscope

i do have a stethoscope. just move it around the lines/canister while car is running?? thanks so much for the help, btw.

if you can, isolate where you think it may be leaking...try putting a big blob of vasoline all around the QD to rule that out....if I remember right there is a very tiny O ring either on the QD or in that housing....if that is where the leak is, you may have lost or dislodged that O ring

not a problem...can you get the code...and yes, move the stethoscope around and try to find the sound....check all around the tank seal and if necessary pull the inspection panel on the other side of the tank...the fuel pump is under there....listen there also

went around with the stethoscope. heard some air around the fuel line (green clip). i moved it some and pushed on it. it seemed to go in. i think my prob was that i wasn't getting it in all the way. no more noise, no more engine light. car seems to run smooth!!! thanks so much!