High performance fuel filter

The device has a fuel inlet (45), at least one filter element (12,13), an arrangement for separating water from fuel, at least one sump (14,15) for separated water, an associated water outlet and at least one fuel outlet (34). A temperature-dependent throughput regulating device has a feed (54,56) for fuel fed back from an engine part, especially a fuel injection system, that distributes returned fuel to the filter and a bypass line depending on temperature.