e46 Fuel Pump Failure

In case somebody else faces this, I wanted to share my experience and findings about my failed fuel pump... i have 04 330Ci ZHP... first the car started hesitate upon acceleration and down-shifting - very minor hesitation, but noticable as you step on the throttle.

A few days later, the car started just fine, i drove for about 10 km (6 mi), the hesitation was a little more noticable upon throttle, then the car started jerking upon acceleration, as I was stepping on the gas pedal, it would go for half a second, then it's like i released the gas for a second (eventhough it was at least 1/2 way in), then go again. Jerking, stumbling, etc. Then I shut the car off - tried to restart... felt like out of gas. would start for about 1 second, then the rpm would drop... after a few tries, it wouldn't even catch. The motor would turn, but nothing...

I spent hours researching... people mentioned many things before I stumbled upon a thread saying to check the fuel pump... the procedure is very easy:

1. have somebody put their ear to the back seat (pass. side), turn the key to ON position (do not start), the pump should prime for about 2 seconds.
The procedure can be only repeated about every 2-5 seconds, as it will not prime until the timer reached 2-5 seconds between primes.

2. take the cover off the fuel rail under the hood, there is little valve, looks like a simple tire valve. Take the cap off, put a rag around the engine, press on the valve, some fuel will come out. Then have somebody turn the engine (trying to start) while you're holding the valve pressed down see if fuel is coming out (should have some pressure to it) - cover your eyes.

I didn't have either... not priming noise, no fuel in the fuel rail. Changed the fuel pump... runs great.

I hope this helps.
Good luck.

Good info. Same thing has happened to me; symptoms sound exactly the same; only I can hear the fuel pump so I'm trying a new filter. Now to get it primed....

Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by MedicAndRN

Good info. Same thing has happened to me; symptoms sound exactly the same; only I can hear the fuel pump so I'm trying a new filter. Now to get it primed....

Real easy to do, takes about 15min. Be sure to have a catch small enough to fit under with you to contain the spill. When I changed mine, towards the end of what gas I poured out of the filter itself, was black

sorry to bring a dead post back. searched google and this popped up

having similar issue ATM. anyone else notice the gas gauge going down faster?

This is one of my pet peeve with BMW. Why couldn't they have used the same fuel pump from the E39 530i on the E46 330i? Same engine. The FP from the E39 is one of the best made. The bean counters win again......

Originally Posted by das boots

This is one of my pet peeve with BMW. Why couldn't they have used the same fuel pump from the E39 530i on the E46 330i? Same engine. The FP from the E39 is one of the best made. The bean counters win again......

Are they not interchangeable?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

Negative. I wish......

Slver46,

Suggest you check the 2nd link below in my signature for more fuel pump information.