Santa Fe CM diesel fuel filter change (2006–2012)

On the CM Santa Fe diesel, the fuel filter is on the right side of the engine bay as you sit in the car (the passenger side on left-hand-drive cars). You can replace just the cartridge or the whole filter assembly. Either way, take the filter bracket off first.

When to change it

Owners usually change it every 30,000 to 40,000 km, or before winter. Water in the filter can also turn on the fuel filter warning light.

How it goes

1. Disconnect the fuel hose connectors.
2. Unplug the water sensor connector and the other connectors on the filter.
3. Remove the fuel filter bracket on the left. Without taking it off, changing the cartridge is almost impossible. You could remove the two bolts on top of the assembly instead, but that makes the job harder.
4. Replacing the whole assembly: fit the new assembly at this point and put everything back.
5. Replacing only the cartridge: clamp the assembly in a vise and undo it with locking pliers.
6. Fit the new cartridge with a new O-ring.
7. Put everything back in the reverse order.

Warning

Important: the new filter is empty, so the engine won't start straight away. On the CM, the fuel pump runs as soon as the ignition is on. Switch the ignition on and off several times before you start the engine.

Videos

How to change fuel filter on Hyundai Santa Fe CMYouTube · AUTODOC (English)Hyundai Santa Fe 2011 2.2 fuel filter primingYouTube · CBR bl (English)Changing the fuel filter on a Santa Fe R engine yourselfYouTube (Korean)

Parts