ran out of fuel at 1/4 tank.

[ryanhouston_e46]

Hi All

Please accept apologies in advance if I sound a bit dumb with this post. I "ran out of fuel" on Saturday with just above 0.25 showing in the tank. I know that the level sensors are correct due to the correct amount of mileage being done from a full tank situatuion. My question is: Is it the fuel pump or could it be the sender unit that transfers the fuel from left side of tank to the right side? Also, has anyone done this before? Is it a DIY? If its beyond novice I wont try it. "Dont want to set my car or myself on fire playing in a fuel tank" :dunno:

All replies will be appreciated greatly.

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Sorry guys

car: 2003 e46 318i facelift

 

[Venom]

Hi All

Please accept apologies in advance if I sound a bit dumb with this post. I "ran out of fuel" on Saturday with just above 0.25 showing in the tank. I know that the level sensors are correct due to the correct amount of mileage being done from a full tank situatuion. My question is: Is it the fuel pump or could it be the sender unit that transfers the fuel from left side of tank to the right side? Also, has anyone done this before? Is it a DIY? If its beyond novice I wont try it. "Dont want to set my car or myself on fire playing in a fuel tank" :dunno:

All replies will be appreciated greatly.

---

Sorry guys

car: 2003 e46 318i facelift

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Hi Ryanhouston_e46,

Not able to diagnose for you, but a word of warning, whoever you let look at it, make sure they know what they are doing. I had my sensors recalibrated by Reynolds in Retreat Cape Town about a year ago and afterwards I fueled up...and the fuel came gushing (Not trickling) out all under the hot exhaust system! I then replaced the sensor rubbers at the BMW Dealer, never had a problem again. Also never went near Reynolds again! Just choose your techncian carefully, a burned out e-46 is no good and neither is a toasted ryanhouston_e46.

 

[Jacques Motorem]

The float level sensor behind the drivers seat is faulty - hence the fuel guage not being able to show empty. If the one behind the pass seat was faulty then the guage would not be able to show full - it would only show 3/4 at most. Had the same with my 1999 320 e46 where first the passenger one failed and then the drivers side leaving my wife stranded.

You can do the replacement yourself if you are mildly DIY - pm me if you need step by step advice.

The "fuel gushing out" as mentioned above is easlily prevented with a bit of know-how and foresight.

Remember to put your cigarette out first:thumbsup:

 

[Venom]

So here is what I found out the hard way. This problem is a common one on the E-46. You can get the sensors (Float mechanisms) recalibrated or you can relace them. I had mine recalibrated and the fault returned and it is NOT an acceptable fault. The Dealer will charge you R1400 for the left and R6000 for the right one with the pump. Before you pay that, please go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

And instead of paying R6000, you will get it NEW for R1000.00.

Hope this helps.

 

[strydovd]

have a look here, it seems to be simple enough
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=592414&highlight=diy

 

[Venom]

have a look here, it seems to be simple enough
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=592414&highlight=diy

I watched a workshop remove and botch up the refit on my car and the car could have burned out. They had a special tool to remove the cover and refit it.....ok, so the chop doing the work did not know what planet he was on....

Anyway, I decided right then and there that as a fuel leak is not a joke, I would not touch it. So anything to do with Fuel belongs to the Dealer or Bruce's. Just my opinion after a big scare.

 

[Jacques Motorem]

have a look here, it seems to be simple enough
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=592414&highlight=diy

Point number 11 is the most important. Put the seal on the tank rim and then slide the float assembly in. If you put the seal on the float assembly and then try to insert both together you will never get the seal to settle properly and the fuel will gush out when you fill it up.

Do this even though the seal will come away with float assembly unit when you first remove it from the tank rim.

 

[freerider]

fuel level sender is broked...

 

[ryanhouston_e46]

Hi All

Thaks again for the replies. One thing still doesnt make sense to me though. The amount of fuel required to brim the tank was equal to the expected usage for the mileage done since the last refill. So, the senders are qorking correctly it seems.

i.e. OBC fuel remaining + fuel required to do mileage since last fill = full tank.

:dunno:

 

[Jacques Motorem]

Hi All

Thaks again for the replies. One thing still doesnt make sense to me though. The amount of fuel required to brim the tank was equal to the expected usage for the mileage done since the last refill. So, the senders are qorking correctly it seems.

i.e. OBC fuel remaining + fuel required to do mileage since last fill = full tank.

:dunno:

You could have this problem
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396966
although it is not as common

 

[ryanhouston_e46]

Anyone know where I can get a diagnostics test done in Durban (except the stealers)

 

[ryanhouston_e46]

Ok So I got a diagnostics test done.

Turns out the problem is the crankshaft position sensor. Now, any tips on where to get this don eat a reasonable price?

thanks

 

[BrownFox]

I had the Same problem.

I took it to ZEEMAX and they cleaned the Fuel sensors.

Cost about 300 bucks.

all fixed now.

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Ok So I got a diagnostics test done.

Turns out the problem is the crankshaft position sensor. Now, any tips on where to get this don eat a reasonable price?

thanks

Where did you take it too that they said it's the Crankshaft Position Sensor??

It's the fuel sensor.
There are 2 under the back seat.
one on the fuel pump and the other one next to it on the passanger side

 

[babyboss]

while cruising engine light came on ,cab hit limp mode .. had jus above 1/4 .. took in 2 dealer fault read " LOW ON FUEL " .. wtf :thinking:

 

[ZOMBIE]

Hi Ryan,

Was the fault the cranshaft sensor or the fuel sender unit?