Save yourself up to $200 and some headaches - Electric Fuel Pump PM

I do not think it is so much weather related as I have had just as many die in the dead of Winter as well.

The fuel cools the pump anyway, but it is more an issue of age, mileage does not factor in as much on the pumps, probably more running hours, but this is really hard to track or calculate.

If you are in stop and go traffic all day you may only go 10 miles in 1 hour, however, if your on the highway for 1 hour, you are likely to go 60 miles.

The pumps usually fail to start after the car is shut down, usually due to a brush/communicator problem.

One more reason to take my recommendations seriously!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=934197

Hey guys might be a stupid question, but I am aware that my fuel pump has a "soft failure" where the car will not turn on if I have under a 1/4 tank. The car is a 2001 330ci. I have not bothered to fix it as I just never let it get close to 1/4 tank. Call me stupid or whatever but I just dont have the money at the moment to fix it. I have just recently noticed a huge loss in power in my car like it is struggleing at lower rpm and no longer get that "kick" in power when i step on the gas. Feels like it has no "vtec" if it were a honda civic ( excuse my poor correlation)
My question is : does this have anything to do with the "soft fuel pump failure" or is is something entirely different. Please respond any advice you have THANK YOU

Replace your fuel pump now, it will cost you more when it leaves you stranded. Yes, soft fail pump can impact performance.

Originally Posted by jfoj

Replace your fuel pump now, it will cost you more when it leaves you stranded. Yes, soft fail pump can impact performance.

Thanks, I have CAA so not too worried about it leaving me stranded, but any others on how exactly it would impact the performance and cause this "struggle" or "choke"/ loss in power?

much apprecciated!....

I'm beginning to believe the 99/00 pumps were more robust. I have a 00 328i with 244k miles running on the original fuel pump.

i was parked on the street overnight. it wouldnt start so i thought it was the battery, starter, etc. had it towed to an indy ("free" towing covered under my insurance company) and turned out to be the fuel pump.

131.5k miles
2002 330i
$522.60 (parts, labor, taxes)

Thanks for posting with your data, sorry you had to spend more than you needed.

Just another point of reference for everyone to consider.

We're fighting the good fight, JFOJ.

Curious whether those have pump failures change their fuel filters regularly.

Probably not, however, I doubt it has much impact on pump lifespan.

The problem is the pump is running 100% of the time that car is running. Not really a mileage item, it is an run hour item. You sit in traffic at stop lights, stop and go traffic, you do not accumulate miles, however, you accumulate run time on the pump.

The pump is a DC brush type motor and the brushes and armature just wear out over time along with the motor shaft bushings. After about 6-7 years and 60-70k miles just as a point of reference if the car is a garage queen, you are likely on borrowed time.

There may be some truth to some of the earlier pumps maybe lasting longer?? Maybe there were more than one supplier??

But for $120 it is not worth it to me to be stranded and walking.

You can see just a few posts up what happens when you are not prepared for the pump to fail, $500+!!

130k fuel pump is still good.

189,000 miles and counting on the original fuel pump...

Originally Posted by jfoj

...
You can see just a few posts up what happens when you are not prepared for the pump to fail, $500+!!

What would happen to me is a couple of lost hours as my wife picks up the trailer from her dad, picks up me and the car, and I replace the pump myself for considerably less than $500 in my garage. If I'd been replacing my pump on this 60,000 mile schedule I'd currently be on my 3rd pump and I'd be in the hole for at least $300 or so and more hours than I'd lose doing this as a repair...

Originally Posted by TrickTizzle

130k fuel pump is still good.

That isn't saying much. Even though your engine may be able to run, doesn't mean its supplying adequate volume and pressure. Same goes w/ the filter. Just a heads up

I keep stating it is not a mileage issue, more of a time issue depending on how the car is driven. If you make it to year 8 change your fuel pump.

Mine is at 12 years from the 06/00 production date, 50% beyond that 8 year recomendation...

Originally Posted by Tangent_

Mine is at 12 years from the 06/00 production date, 50% beyond that 8 year recomendation...

Famous last words before the O NOES IM STUCK ON THE FREEWAY BRO WAT I DO? thread.

Can't cough up $105 to ensure the reliability and peak operating performance of your vehicle?

I think the '99 & '00 pumps may last a bit longer. But it cracks me up that a fuel pump is about 2 oil changes worth of coin and it leaves you stranded!!

I guess you are also the kind of person that does not replace your battery every 4 years either?

But are you the original owner and do you know if your pump is original?

I guess you are a gambler and do not care if you end up like - "O NOES IM STUCK ON THE FREEWAY BRO WAT I DO?"

Originally Posted by Tangent_

Mine is at 12 years from the 06/00 production date, 50% beyond that 8 year recomendation...

Don't be complacent, and brag; for your Fuel Pump is plotting at this very moment when it will decide to leave you stranded.

i'm not sure whether this is psychological, but ever since i replaced the fuel pump, there is more "kick" when i press down on the gas pedal. not talking about the timing of the throttle, but the force of the acceleration...