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

Originally Posted by jfoj

BMW fuel pumps are like death & taxes!! We will all succumb to them at some point!

I just hope that's not the case with the Z4. I have no earthly idea on how one would get to that tank to replace the damn thing. Also, it's more expensive than the E46 one.

Sure it's more expensive?

Ran the part # thru www.furiousmethod.com ?

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Good post. This absolutely needs to be done. Anybody who disagrees, step up. There is no reason not to do this.

There should be a popup that asks a series of questions:

Have you JFOJ'd in the past 60,000 miles?

Have you replaced your entire cooling system in the past 60,000 miles?

Have you replaced your fuel pump, fuel pump relay, and fuel filter in the past 60,000 miles?

Have you replaced your voltage regulator, battery in the past 60,000 miles or five years?

If the person answers 'no,' a big slap machine reaches out of the computer screen and slaps the offensive person in their face. If the person answers 'yes,' proof must be submitted and approved by JFOJ. Then and only then can they deserve to proceed to the forums.

Anything short of doing any of the above and you might as well be wearing a shirt that says "I love to be stranded!" cause that's pretty much what you're wishing for when you don't maintain critical parts of your car.

Suspension in the last 50-60k miles as well

Well I think it's time to add me to the list of soft fuel pump failures. 2000 323i w/ 148k miles. I changed out the spark plugs, valve cover gasket and fuel filter yesterday. The car ran great, so smooth I didn't know the engine was running. However today my fuel level got down to 1/4 tank and all of a sudden I notice how laggy the acceleration is. I have to almost floor the car to get it to move. I had also noticed a few months ago that when it was warm outside the car seemed to bog down for a 1/2 second then it was fine... it did this in below 10MPH and in reverse. First thought was bad transmission but it shifts smooth as hell; it feels like it isn't getting any fuel. So I pull the back seat and listen to the pump; the noise it makes when starting the car is there, but much quieter than it was when I first got the car. The pump is original anyways, so I'm sure it was time. The fuel that came out of the filter was black and had a stamped date of 9/09/99, so of course it was original and never changed. I'll be ordering a new pump tonight and when it comes I'll see if that solves my issue.

7 years and 100k, fuel pump died, stranded me. towed it and replaced fuel pump...took only 30 minutes cause I had to remove some of the gas i had in the tank...otherwise a 10 minute job!!!!!!!!!

matsolutions,

What year is your car?

Just trying to get some data on what years seem to be more prone to earlier failures.

2005

From the comments I've read a fuel pump replacement is fairly easy. The fuel pump is located under the rear seats? How about the relay?

$350 for the fuel pump, yeaaaa on second thought I think I'm gonna hold off on that

You are wrong. Always use www.realoem.com to get the correct part number for your car.
Then use www.furiousmethod.com to shop for the best price.

I'll give you a boost because you are new.
Check out BMA parts for a fuel pump priced at around $120.
Feel rich again??

I just ordred the VDO pump and relay from BMA parts for $131 shipped using the specE30 coupon code. Pump is coming from Cali to NC and is expected to arrive by Friday and I only ordered it today!

The M car fuel pumps are much more expensive than the regular fuel pumps. Probably in the $280 range is what you will expect on a replacement M3 pump??

I do not know about the M3 fuel pumps, however, the E39 M5 fuel pumps are also failing usually before 100k and around 7-8 years.

Have seen some soft failures on the E39 M5 fuel pumps as well, but usually when the M car pumps fail, they just fail. Usually when the car is stopped, it just will not start.

I tell every E39 M5 new owner if the car has never had a replacement fuel pump, just step up and put one in as you WILL be stranded when it fails.

Good point, I usually don't think in terms of anything other than the normal pump for an e46.
Wonder if the M pump is really different enough to justify all that extra $ ? Or just lower production numbers.

Another great reason that I decided to go with my 330Ci rather than a new M3 back in '04. I preferred the overall balance of quailities of the 330, and now it pays dividends in that parts are available quickly and cheaply. And everyone on this board gives tips that apply exactly to my car!

mine failed at 70k...what sucks is there is no signs of a failure coming. Your car just wont turn on out of no where....sucks especially if your no were near your house or a dealer. Anyone who has more then 70k and hasn't replaced it yet, they really should. Very easy to do yourself.

Custom3, what year is your car? I assume newer than a 2001 based upon your mileage when the pump failed?

Stinger9, the M pumps are very different. They are also about 3 times the price of the standard pump and do not usually include the sending unit as far as I know, at least my M5 does not include the sending unit.

The M cars run higher fuel pressure and an external fuel pressure regulator that is not part of the fuel filter.

At least on the E39 M5's, I tell EVERYONE that is buying one now that if the fuel pump has not been replaced, just step up to the plate and replace it along with the fuel filter. I have seen too many newly acquired M cars leave the owners stranded and the chance of towing damage is enough of a reason just to replace the pump and filter and have a peach of mind that the car will not likely leave you stranded due to a failed fuel pump.

Great info. Thanks for the education. I profit from your experience.

As far as towing damage, I have BMW towing insurance which guarantees flatbedding to the nearest BMW dealer. Had to use it once and it worked just as described.

Its a 2001...It currently has 96k

Originally Posted by jfoj

Custom3, what year is your car? I assume newer than a 2001 based upon your mileage when the pump failed?

Stinger9, the M pumps are very different. They are also about 3 times the price of the standard pump and do not usually include the sending unit as far as I know, at least my M5 does not include the sending unit.

The M cars run higher fuel pressure and an external fuel pressure regulator that is not part of the fuel filter.

At least on the E39 M5's, I tell EVERYONE that is buying one now that if the fuel pump has not been replaced, just step up to the plate and replace it along with the fuel filter. I have seen too many newly acquired M cars leave the owners stranded and the chance of towing damage is enough of a reason just to replace the pump and filter and have a peach of mind that the car will not likely leave you stranded due to a failed fuel pump.

Well I just replaced my fuel pump and I have to say the difference is instant. The hardest part of getting it in was taking the metal ring off the pump... It did not want to budge. After a few hard whacks with the hammer it came right off and I was in business. Once everything was installed I took the car down the road and I could immediately tell the pump was the issue. The hesitation I was having is completely gone and the power delivery is much smoother. Anybody with over 100k miles should consider replacing this part. It took me 15 minutes to replace and it was worth every cent. Other than the hesitation my car had no signs of a failed pump. The car always started, gas mileage was normal, and there were no codes regarding it. I've gotta change the relay tomorrow. Oh joy.

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Well I just replaced my fuel pump and I have to say the difference is instant. The hardest part of getting it in was taking the metal ring off the pump... It did not want to budge. After a few hard whacks with the hammer it came right off and I was in business. Once everything was installed I took the car down the road and I could immediately tell the pump was the issue. The hesitation I was having is completely gone and the power delivery is much smoother. Anybody with over 100k miles should consider replacing this part. It took me 15 minutes to replace and it was worth every cent. Other than the hesitation my car had no signs of a failed pump. The car always started, gas mileage was normal, and there were no codes regarding it. I've gotta change the relay tomorrow. Oh joy.

Did u do the filter too... I was thinking of doin the filter and pump soon too...

Sent from my PG86100 using Bimmer App

Definitely do the fuel filter, and relay too.