Hi everyone! Thanks for the previous threads on fuel gauge problems. I wasn't able to find something quite similar enough to my problem, so I'm going to post a new thread.
I have a 325i with the M54 engine. My car runs normally until I hit a quarter tank left, at which point it seems I have run out of gas. I was told that most likely one of the fuel gauge sensors is gummed up, so I have repeatedly tried different fuel system cleaners to try and free it up, but which no success.
Now, here's the funny part - when I am completely run out of gas (remember, the fuel gauge still says I have a quarter tank left) and I go to fill it up, it only takes a little over 13 gallons before it's full. This was puzzling until I did a little research and found that the car actually has two tanks- the main gas tank, and a smaller expansion tank, which I assume is holding the rest of my gas that I'm not getting use of.
I also learned about the two fuel gauge sensors (the right one that is integrated with the fuel pump, and the left one, which is just a gauge) both accessible under the back seat.
So, can anyone tell me, what's broken here? It seems like the main fuel pump and sensor (the right one) are working, because fuel is being pumped to the engine up until I have a quarter tank left. It seems that the left sensor is working because I DO in fact have gas in my tank when my car starts coughing and dies (remember it only takes 13 gal to fill up. should take 16 - 17gal). Is there another fuel pump that I don't know about that pumps fuel from the smaller expansion tank? (I bought a Chilton repair manual for 3 series and have been tearing through it as well but haven't been able to figure this out)
"I hope you are doing well. I didn't reply earlier because I wanted to gather all the information before replying to you. After I Changed the filter it worked fine for two tanks then now the on board gauge is not moving at all now from 0.
Any guesses. As I wrote before the fuel level indiator strip is broke and repaired in the right tank if you are facing the front of the car. "
You have not provided enough information for one to assist. When you say the guage is not working at all. Do you mean that its stuck at empty, half ro full irrespective of whether you fillup or not?
""""fuel level indiator strip is broke and repaired in the right tank """ do you mean that the fuel sender unit with the float? The left one is easy to test if you are having issues with it. First provide clarity on this matter, and then will tell you what to do
"I hope you are doing well. I didn't reply earlier because I wanted to gather all the information before replying to you. After I Changed the filter it worked fine for two tanks then now the on board gauge is not moving at all now from 0.
Any guesses. As I wrote before the fuel level indiator strip is broke and repaired in the right tank if you are facing the front of the car. "
You have not provided enough information for one to assist. When you say the guage is not working at all. Do you mean that its stuck at empty, half ro full irrespective of whether you fillup or not?
""""fuel level indiator strip is broke and repaired in the right tank """ do you mean that the fuel sender unit with the float? The left one is easy to test if you are having issues with it. First provide clarity on this matter, and then will tell you what to do
hi
read your post the other day i have all the same symptons as you went and bought a fuel filter and was going to fit it this morning but guess what instead of a fuel filter i have a section of fuel pipe the same lenght as the filter in its place
I to have same issues with my e90 dying at 1/4 tank. The right side (pump) óf tank emties, but denying to suck from the left side of the tank. Anybody had the same problem with a e90 320d? I suspect the pump deying on me, and going to replade it. Just Wanted to hear from someone with a 320d facing/faced the same problem, before i go and buy a new pump. Thanks.
My car is running normally(e46) but fuel gauge and OBC fuel Left in Tank readings is going up and down like a ------- Drawers with the same amount of fuel in it. If the cars acting normally and the gauge is up and down, does anybody think this is the senders?. How many senders are there on a 1999 saloon E46 and wher do I find them, I've no idea. HELP!!!
Hello, it's me again from a bone. I've done the cluster test and the fuel gauge goes all the way from empty to full and back on the test. But i think it must be stuck inbetween empty and a quarter as it has 120 mile left in the tank, and it has because I've just put 4 gallon in it. Any thoughts would be much appreciated guys. Many Thanks.
Posted Today, 09:04 PM
hi guys, my fuel gauge gives me false reading and is all over the place. I'm sure it's the sender unit. Can someone give me some pointers please. I think there is 2 sender units, am I right in saying one is attached to a fuel pump and the other on its own. I believe one sender unit reads the half to full on the gauge and the other reads empty to half. My car is never over half, so which one do I change. Are they universal and also can you detach the sender unit from the pump. helppppppp!!!!!!
I bought my 2004 E46 vert about three years ago. Since I first got it I had issues with gas flow around corners and slow accelleration. About 8 months ago I started running out of gas with the gage showing it still had gas. I searched the forums and found a couple threads but they all pointed at the sucking pump.
I had already had it at my mechanics shop and he cleared the sucking pump and decided it had to be the gage was wrong. He wanted to change the dashboard computer which thankfully I never had to pay for but I'm sure it was a lot of money.
So this time when it ran out I had the tow truck take me to a gas station on the way to the mechanic and we topped it off. It only took 13.5 gallons to fill it so I knew there was at least a two gallons left. I'm not sure how I found this post just then but when we got it to my mechanic I asked him to change the fuel filter. He didn't think that was going to fix it but put it in anyway per my request.
Well that was about three weeks ago. Twice now I have run it all the way down to one gallon and each time I topped it off to confirm it really had gotten down to that amount. You saved me so much money I can't thank you enough for taking the trouble to post this.
I'm mostly a lurker because I don't have a lot to add - obviously - but I felt another confirmation that the filter fixed the problem was needed when you look at all the threads that end with "I'll just make sure it never goes below 1/4 tank."
I should also tell you that it now is much faster off the line and never chokes out when taking tight corners very fast. It performs much better than it has since I first bought it.
I highly recommend anyone having this type if issue change the fuel filter before spending any long green:thumbup:.
Thanks so much, especially Tice03 for all the info. Unfortunately, I'm reading this now because I've already had the same problem and authorized the dealer to make the recommended repairs (fuel pump, fuel filter, and siphoning jet). The good news is that these posts totally validated the issue and the recommendation from the dealer (I never completely ran out of gas but started hesitating at 1/4 tank, so the problem wasn't quite as obvious). The bad news is that I've already agreed to pay over $1K to replace all the other recommended parts when it sounds like I should have started with just the filter.
They said I had metal shavings in the tank that likely have already compromised the fuel pump. Does anyone know if that's a common byproduct of running on low gas?
Also - does anyone know what the same repairs (assuming I need all of them, not just the fuel filter) would cost at an honest auto repair shop? I'm not a DIY-er and the convenience of the dealer and getting a loaner car has prevented me from going elsewhere, but I've sunk way too much into the car lately.
If you get down to 1/4 tank and run out of gas, very likely is just your fuel pump. Forget about the sucking jet pump.
You might also need a fuel filter, but forget that temporarily if you just want to get going. But do the filter when you get a chance as this should be changed periodically.
i have a problem with my bmw 318i e46, the needle for my fuel gauge just moves whenever and wherever.sometimes i put say 5 litres when its at a 1/4 tank and it shoots over to half or maybe more and later on it starts going down.i dont really rely on my gauge now.what could be the problem,if anyone can help
would reaaly love to do that but problem is i don't know how to do it,if you can give some pointers.have watched some clips off the internet but not yet sure what i should look for during the test. I take it i have to push a certain button on the dashboard till test comes up and then in this case keep pressing it till it gets to #6 but what comes after that.....and what values am i looking for?
Not really on topic, but one thing to remember about this car is that the fuel pump is cooled by the fuel in the tank. It is not a good idea to let it get much below a quarter of a tank. N4S
The lastest thinking is that you can run your tank empty with no problem. Just Don't want to leave the pump running with no gas left.
If there is fuel running thru the pump, that is enough to keep it cool. It's not exactly a heavy producer of heat.
I've never read where anyone said that the pump went toast at low miles because they ran the tank low.
Agree with that. Only time I ever do it is if I'm trying to set a record for miles on one tank. Reached 510 once, but chickened out even tho I extrapolated I could get to 550. It was hot summer and I also didn't want to run out of gas on the highway in NM.
My X5 2001 4.4l Gas Tank Will Not Fill Up.....PLEASE HELP!!
Please can someone help me...... I have a 2001 4.4l x5 and I can only fill up my gas tank less then half a tank. It stops at the same place each time. Here is what I have done:
1- tried over 3 different gas stations
2- tried turning the gas nozel up, down, side to side, and pulling out the nozel alittle here and there.
3- I am not getting any codes or anything of that nature also the x5 runs fine.
4- Also I put some gas cleaner (one of those small bottles from adv auto)
This is killing me I'm searching the Internet and can not find a resolution. I'm praying that someone can tell me where to look or any ideas.
Oh for christs sake read the thread. I can't believe you posted this on multiple forums. You prolly need a fuel sender. Have you ever actually ran out of gas? Obviously not. Get a 2-gallon container, fill it with gas, and throw it in the back of the truck. Now don't get ANY gas again until the car stalls from running out of gas. When it does, put the 2-gallons in, drive to a gas station, fill it up, and see how much gas goes in. You'll see that you just put in however many gallons the tank is. This is very simple.
I wish I had video of you turning the nozzle in every direction. You had to look like such an idiot. It's just a hose in a hole, it's not rocket science.
Your annoying. If it makes u feel better "Gas Can"
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