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The fuel filter is rated as "life-time" - and that's pretty accurate if you always get clean gasoline. Modern filters rarely need replacement unless you get a crap tank of fuel. And yes - it's under the rear seat and under the panel under the carpeting under the rear seat. Thing is - the seats bottoms don't fold forward like the 955/957 seats so I'm not sure how accessible the filter actually is. You may have to remove the seat from the vehicle to access the filter.
Just checked the service manual (AllDataDIY) - and step 4 "Remove rear seat".. so there'ya go.
I'd just forgettaboutit until there are symptoms indicating replacement is needed.
Hey Don
Thanks for looking into this, I replaced (3) fuel filters on 996's over the past year, two of them have been replaced in the past 3-4 years (date stamp).My brother-in laws was the original the fuel inside was black. Not sure is this is filter media or ?
Figured it wasn't terribly expensive or difficult may give it a go?.
The 958TT filter has passed over ~8000 gallons through it already not sure what filter media is used.
How long is "life"?
On my ML it was blocked up at about 130 000 km.
Then it was also black fuel coming out.
"Life" is when it's no longer filtering or passing fuel. Sounds like you reached the life of the filter on the ML. Also sounds like you got a bad tank of fuel or a lot of not so good tanks of fuel.
I just messaged my parts guy at Gaudin Porsche to see if these filters are flying off the self :-) or collecting dust.
I may just do mine later this summer then cut it open. About 5X the cost of a normal fuel filter so I suspect these a lot more media inside then the typical cartridge style.
Response from dealer parts department.
"Hello Jay
This part is very common to replace on earlier model Cayenne's not on your year model though. We do however replace them if needed but not at a recommended mileage for the replacement on this part."
There is a YouTube video on a 2004 Touareg detailing to process, so the 958's are truly lifetime?
It's really one of those replace it when it needs replacing sort of things... no big gain to doing it earlier since it may very well never fail if you never get a tank of crap fuel. If you do get a tank of crap fuel - one you installed an hour before can be destroyed instantly by the bad fuel.
