[Orb]

Yesterday, I had another fuel pump problem and had to be towed. The difference with my story is that fuel level was just under a ¼ tank and once the tank was filled the car started but the pump failed a test plan (unacceptable leak down rate). The car is schedule for a fuel pump replacement in about 2 months. I was advised not to let my gas tank run below 1/3 full as a workaround. The car is running fine and doesn’t have any start-up problems, or any other symptoms that are typical of failing fuel pump. I’m 1 of 10 people on a waiting list with the same problem this month alone at one dealership. The problem is that all fuel pumps on the dealer shelves have been recalled. They will be replaced with a new design (no part number yet) that has yet to be released but is expected in mid/late September so unless your fuel pump is really 100% dead you will have to wait for the new pumps show.

BMW thinks it is acceptable for me and you to drive around with a part that has been diagnosed as failing which could/will cause a dangerous situation. As far as I am concern, anyone’s fuel pump that failed the test plan should be on the priority list which is 2 week wait. I’m not to happy driving around a car they could fail at any time nor should you.

It seems BMW made some improvements to the pump last year after the fiasco of first run production cars. Then problem it was only an improvement not a fix. I suspect that a majority of pumps out there are not within operational specifications which can be verified with test plan. It does not mean you car is losing power but if you running below ¼ tank it could mean tow or walk to the gas station.

At some point there going to be major recall I think. The information above is what I got for the SA today.

Orb

[XLR8MF]

Good info, thanks Orb.

[Jake C]

Best of luck Orb. And this matches up with Johnnyr135 said in his post. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160425 Seems the Fuel Pump Issue is not dead yet. I wonder if this Fuel Pump issue will run in the 09's or will they have the "new, new, new" Fuel Pump?

- J

[Tuned335i]

Well, if there is really a new pump on the way, I guess that's progress. Sucks that so many people have been inconvenienced by this. Hopefully the new pump is a real solution.

[RBBMWE46M3]

Thanks...great post

[Orb]

Originally Posted by Jake C

Best of luck Orb. And this matches up with Johnnyr135 said in his post. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160425 Seems the Fuel Pump Issue is not dead yet. I wonder if this Fuel Pump issue will run in the 09's or will they have the "new, new, new" Fuel Pump?

- J

Good questions. The problem is the fuel pumps are not meeting specification so they are leaking at a higher rate than normal which means increased duty cycle. The work around by BMW seems to suggest a stop gap than fix so they bought time. The new pump is supposed to be a real fix. I guess demand is high because of the 2009 models and BMW not caring about us unless you’re dead on the road. BTW, my car runs normal and can't tell I have any problems at all which is the scary part and do have Dinan stage III.

Orb

[Jake C]

That is a bit troubling. So you have a Dinan Stage III flash and your car runs normal but let it drop below 1/3 of tank and you possibly are stranded? Yeah that is not good at all! I think I would go ahead and send an email to BMWNA just in case it creates further problems in the future.

- J

[Bubbles]

Sounds like everyone needs to keep a 1/3 tank or more. Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

[e.n335]

335i HPFP issues are not common in Europe. I guess it could have to do with some dirt in the US gas, which would explain the recommondation and why this problem is that hard to get under control.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by e.n335

335i HPFP issues are not common in Europe. I guess it could have to do with some dirt in the US gas, which would explain the recommondation and why this problem is that hard to get under control.

Eugene, the US believes putting corn in our gas helps the environment, I suppose those little corn kernels clog the fuel pump.

[RBBMWE46M3]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Eugene, the US believes putting corn in our gas helps the environment, I suppose those corn little kernels clog the fuel pump.

[rooster3.0]

To the OP: Do you notice your car eating more gas? Even under casual driving?

[dinkoh]

I'm still scratching my head as to why some people don't have fuel pump problems while others do. I had one as well. Shouldn't it be more widespread?

[lawdude]

I never had a fuel pump problem. But my fuel pump was one of a group replaced on a recall campaign several months back. They replaced it with a remanufactured fuel pump. It seems to work as good as the one it replaced.

[Mr. 5]

Interesting news!
I was thinking that the day of recall is close as well.

I'm wondering if any aftermarket companies have thought about making a fuel pump.
The reason why I say this is because APR made a high boost map for the VAG 2.0T engine, but people were noticing limps sometimes. The limp was caused due to the pump not keeping up with the amount of fuel the ECU was demanding. So, APR made a pump.
I wonder if Dinan has thought about this.

[Orb]

Originally Posted by rooster3.0

To the OP: Do you notice your car eating more gas? Even under casual driving?

Yes gas milage is bad 14 MPG in the City. Just did 50 laps at an autocross today and the car ran fine.

Orb

[Orb]

Originally Posted by lawdude

I never had a fuel pump problem. But my fuel pump was one of a group replaced on a recall campaign several months back. They replaced it with a remanufactured fuel pump. It seems to work as good as the one it replaced.

Those pumps have been recalled so all the dealer are sending them back. There is no stock now unless your pump flat out dies and you get on the two week wait list thru a PUMA case. I got the same pump in my car right now as you do. Car runs fine but it failed the test plan so it just a matter of time....how long before it dies is the question.

Orb

[Jake C]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

Interesting news!
I was thinking that the day of recall is close as well.

I'm wondering if any aftermarket companies have thought about making a fuel pump.
The reason why I say this is because APR made a high boost map for the VAG 2.0T engine, but people were noticing limps sometimes. The limp was caused due to the pump not keeping up with the amount of fuel the ECU was demanding. So, APR made a pump.
I wonder if Dinan has thought about this.

Good idea. Mr. 5 but it's awful that we don't have a proper fuel pump for even non modified cars from the factory.

- J

[lawdude]

Originally Posted by Orb

Those pumps have been recalled so all the dealer are sending them back. There is no stock now unless your pump flat out dies and you get on the two week wait list thru a PUMA case. I got the same pump in my car right now as you do. Car runs fine but it failed the test plan so it just a matter of time....how long before it dies is the question.

Orb

So even my replacement pump is destined to give up the ghost?

[O-cha]

Yea screw BMW for prioritizing people with completely broken down cars over people with working cars showing early signs of failure when there is a very short supply of pumps.

Jesus that is just reasonable and logical. Stupid BMW.

[Quisp]

Orb, What is the "test plan" ? Is that something BMW did or you had done? Did they give you any shit trying to say that the stage III had something to do with it?

[Orb]

Originally Posted by lawdude

So even my replacement pump is destined to give up the ghost?

Yes, it seem to be the case. There is a new pump out in 8 weeks in volume and there is no part number for it yet. I'm told that is why all the pumps where recalled and there is no stock.

Orb