How much will it cost to replace a fuel filter at the garage for my 2003 s40?

I was told that my car might need the replacement due to the sluggish start in the morning but usually okay the rest of the day.

I thought maybe my 2yr old battery might be the culprit but borrowed my neighbor generator and hooked it up overnight to no change.

Thanks!

 

You need a fuel pressure regulator, not a filter.

 

+1

Takes about 10 minutes to change and that's while drinking a cup of coffee.

 

For the time it took to type all that you could have just called the garage and asked and you'd know exactly how much they will charge you, same for the pressure regulator.
Different shops have different rates so it's best to call the shop you're going to and get a quote.

 

Who says I didn't (call about the FUEL FILTER)?

By the time you typed your snotty, unhelpful answer you could have reflected and figured out that I was probably getting information for comparison and other information, such as the suggestion of a fuel pressure regulator not fuel filter possibly being the problem.

I've gotten excellent advice on this site. You're the first troll, Kiss4aFrog. Stay off my threads.

 

Thanks for the answer. Is this something simple to change for oneself? Volvo engines are such a tight puzzle. (A well-meaning friend once caused $500 of damage changing a lightbulb for me. After that, I have just gone to the garage for everything.)

 

Can you tell me why you say it is not the fuel filter and why it is the fuel pressure regulator? What does something like that run in the garage? Thanks ES6T

 

It leaks, causing pressure to bleed down with the car off.

Labor should only be a half hour. I don't remember the price of the part off hand.

 

Here's a write up on "how to" with the pressure regulator:

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...t-guide-64228/

And FCP's price: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...40-v40-9404583

If you want advise then try presenting the problem in the topic and people will jump in with help and advise. If all you're asking about is pricing out a repair as your topic asked, calling the shop you take it to for that price isn't snotty it's the best answer. Or post how much they want and ask if that's reasonable.

 

How many mi/km are on the car? Has the filter ever been changed ? You need this changed at a specific interval just for maintenance procedures.
Do you have a fuel pressure tester to check fuel pressure to decide if the pressure is low or not coming up fast enough.
The poster wasn't a smarta** when he said to call a shop for a price quote . Have you Googled the procedure to see if you can do it at home ?

 

Direct answer, $120. But it depends on the shop. Some shops charge you for 1 hour, or 30 minutes minimum per job, even it its only a 15 minute job for them. The filters are cheap, unless you go to Volvo

Changing the filter is sort-of easy... I had a heck of a time with the press in plastic clips that hold the filter cover on. I ended up snapping 2 of them and having to rig something up to fix it. Also the filter that I bought at Autozone was much bigger than the original, so I had to again rig some zip-ties to hold the filter in place.

Someone else commented that is could be your fuel pressure regulator instead. I agree. Symptoms are the engine turning over several times in the morning before it will start, and then running fine. Depending on how bad the diaphram is in the regulator it might also be fine through the day, but overnight leak enough to depressurize the system. If you dont mind getting your hands dirty there is a vacuum line running of of the regulator, pull that off and if it has gas in it its bad. The regulators are pricey... but there is a post around here or elsewhere, someone found a regulator that fits for around $40. If I have to do it again I'm going that route. $140 is rediculous for what it is.

My advice either way, change the filter no matter what. It likely needs it, and its cheap. If the problem presists then look into the regulator.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

I can count the number of times I've seen a fuel filter cause a problem on a Volvo on zero fingers.

But yes, technically it is due every 105,000 miles.

 

Great, guys! Thanks for all the helpful info.

 

A few things -
#1, great write up on how to replace the regulator! Props to any poster who takes the time to share a procedure.
#2, a quick comment on a pnp switch issues. I periodically run the shifter 10-15 times quickly park to 1st every so often (ie once a year or when it acts up to clean the contacts) and have never needed to replace the switch in my S40 or 850 since doing so.
#3, re where to find the odd parts (ie small hoses), check out volvopartswarehouse.com - you can search via diagrams and get OEM numbers to search from or buy direct.