2004 Volkswagen Golf Fuel Pump / Fuel Filter question

SUREVE

MEMBER
2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
137,000 MILES

I have a 2004 Volkswagen Golf with about 137,000 miles on it. After struggling with some intermittent issues starting the car, a mechanic friend of mine determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. He didnt have to drop the tank or drain the gas. So far, it seems that replacing the fuel pump solved my issues with starting the vehicle. However, my mechanic friend said that whenever you replace the fuel pump on a vehicle, you should also replace the fuel filter and that I should call the VW delaership to get that done. When I called the dealership, the mechanic that answered said it was not necessary on my vehicle to replace the fuel filter, however I didn't understand his explanation (something about a whole fuel line assembly would have to be replaced, costly and unnecessary) and my friend is insistent that I should replace the fuel filter.
I am just wondering if anyone could explain to me why or why not the fuel filter replacement is or is not necessary on my vehicle?
Confused!

1 Reply

NCDAVE

MEMBER
1 POST

I would recommend replacing the fuel filter. Fuel filter is just that, filters out dust, dirt, etc... from the gas tank. So since you had the fuel pump replaced, and with that many miles on the car, and had some issues with the fuel system before... it's a pretty easy, low cost, simple to replace item.

So unless your 2004 Golf is very different than my 2004 Golf GLS (Automitic, Gas, 2.0L 4-cyl), it 's an easy item to replace. They only cost about $20, filter is located at the rear of the car, in front of the passenger side rear wheel.

https://www.2carpros.com/makes/volkswagen/golf

And if you don't want to do it yourself, just about all quick service 'Oil Change' places will do it next time you have the oil changed.