[greenberet123]

Just hit 75 miles and did OFHG and VCG. From stories by others, and after lots of reading, am I right to expect the fuel pump to go out really soon?

If yes, how can I prepare for this?

1. Will it throw codes a few weeks before it dies?
2. Is there a way to check its health?
3. Should I change it now itself ? (id rather not)
4. Should I buy a pump and keep in the trunk ?
5. Will the car suddenly run out of power in the middle of the freeway?

Thanks!

[hassmaschine]

Don't you have a 328? The fuel pump will last like 250k miles at least. You're confusing yourself with the early N54s, which had bad HPFPs - but those were all replaced by BMW with newer parts.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Don't you have a 328? The fuel pump will last like 250k miles at least. You're confusing yourself with the early N54s, which had bad HPFPs - but those were all replaced by BMW with newer parts.

At least 250K, maybe even more

[SirHoward]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

At least 250K, maybe even more

NOPE! I had to change mine at 154K (2009 328i E93) My garage started to smell like gas, took it to the shop (not BMW) & yep! gas pump.

[hassmaschine]

Uh, the pump is inside the tank. It can't leak outside.

But if you have an N51, the tank and pump are one part. It's feasible a leaking tank would happen, in which case you must replace the pump too.

But it's not going to just die suddenly, if ever. Definitely not at 85k miles...

[ptpending]

sometimes some people save money too much and fill only 10 or 20 liters when refueling
in that case tank pump may die quite early

[greenberet123]

Thanks for the replies all.

Was asking because a friend has the same car i.e. 328 E93 and his pump failed after 65-70k miles (or at least thats what the mechanic told him). So, I was a bit concerned.

I think I can stop thinking about the pump now. Thanks!

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by greenberet123

Thanks for the replies all.

Was asking because a friend has the same car i.e. 328 E93 and his pump failed after 65-70k miles (or at least thats what the mechanic told him). So, I was a bit concerned.

I think I can stop thinking about the pump now. Thanks!

Just don't drive until you are very low on gas. I use an oil based fuel injection cleaner once per year that lubricates the pump and all the o rings in the fuel system.

[hassmaschine]

Meh. I have always driven my BMWs down to the reserve, one to 280k miles. The original fuel pump is still fine. That's a myth.

I have driven my 330i several times until there was less than half a gallon left. I have never used a fuel injector cleaner in my life, it's snake oil. You have to remove the injectors and use a special machine to actually clean them properly, that's if they even need it - gasoline itself is a really good solvent, which is why we don't need walnut blasting..

[d1saster]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Uh, the pump is inside the tank. It can't leak outside.

But if you have an N51, the tank and pump are one part. It's feasible a leaking tank would happen, in which case you must replace the pump too.

But it's not going to just die suddenly, if ever. Definitely not at 85k miles...

Not true for N51. The fuel pump is a separate unit and is replaceable.

[Singh_96]

Are you sure you don't mean the water pump? Because that's what usually goes out around that mileage without any warning. The fuel pump doesn't really go out randomly and usually starts giving other signs before.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Meh. I have always driven my BMWs down to the reserve, one to 280k miles. The original fuel pump is still fine. That's a myth.

I have driven my 330i several times until there was less than half a gallon left. I have never used a fuel injector cleaner in my life, it's snake oil. You have to remove the injectors and use a special machine to actually clean them properly, that's if they even need it - gasoline itself is a really good solvent, which is why we don't need walnut blasting..

+1

So checking my fuel fill data from May 2006 through December 2017: 967 fuel fills at an average of 13.04 gallons per fuel fill. 13 gallons is a bit less than refilling at 1/6th of a tank. I'm on the original fuel pump. I've never used a cleaner either.

[CTinline-six]

I'm curious about the N51 fuel pump since I now own one.

Is the whole tank replaced with the pump under the SULEV warranty for just emissions reasons, or is the pump built into the tank and can't be replaced? Just curious since I'd like to hang onto this car long term, and if the pump needs to be replaced after the SULEV warranty is up it might be difficult to source the entire N51 specific tank.