Ran out of gas with 1/4 tank on the gauge

[Kirby]

I took the 330 on a road trip (about 55 miles one way) last night with my wife. After we arrived and left our primary destination, we wanted to get a bite to eat. Started the car, and drove maybe 50 yards and it started stuttering and bogging down. It acted like it was out of gas BUT the level showed a bit over 1/4 tank. The more I drove it got worse, I was thinking a failed Mass Flow meter or dying fuel pump.

I made it another 1/4 mile and it died completely, would not restart. I figured I should try putting a can of gas in it, even though it showed 1/4 tank. Fortunately, a gas station was only 2 blocks away. I got a tiny 1 quart can from them, put it in and she started right up!!!

The bizarre thing was that about 3 seconds after it started up, the fuel gauge dropped to empty!! I took it to the gas station, and it took over 16 gallons - yup, empty.

Off it goes to the dealer......

 

[Big Daddy]

Sounds like a faulty sending unit? Let us know Kirby.

 

[deutsch100]

I agree with Dan. Sounds just like a defective sending unit. The tip can becomes corroded, with the difference in American and European octanes. We've never had a problem with a BMW, but our Mercedes' C280, C43, SL500, ML320, S500 and S500 all had to have the sending unit replaced. The dealer said they see it all the time with German cars. Something to do with us having 91 and 92 Octane for supreme, and Europeans having 95+. German companies try to use a metal/alloy that works for all gasoline markets, but sometimes, it just doesn't work. Let us know what the Bimmer dealer says!!

Fröhliche Weihnachten, und ein gutes neues Jahr an Alle!!!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I have noticed the gas gauge is quirky if you keep the car in the garage. When I leave the car in the garage for an extended period of time, the gas guage is grossly inaccurate. I think it has something to do with not enough air possibly, why else would this happen...

If your 330 convert is usually stored in the garage for extended periods of time, maybe this is why.

 

[Doughnut]

Bmw 325i 7803, purhaps just your fuel gauge has gotten "sticky" over the "extended period of time" and has nothing to do with the fact that it is in the garage? does it do it when the car is out of the garage? if it does, i doubt it would be lack of air?

i had an old set of gauges that wee sitting out of my car 4 awhile, because of a fault in the SI board, i put them back in and noticed that the tacho gauge was slightly "jerky" and seemed to free up after a couple of revs.
just a thought

 

[Kirby]

You're right in the sense that it was sitting in the garage and does not get a lot of use - maybe once every couple of weeks right now...

 

[geneo]

could be both sending units.

 

[Kirby]

Update: I had this fixed a while ago, forgot about this thread!

They replaced both fuel level sensors under warranty. No problems since.

 

[William330]

Update: I had this fixed a while ago, forgot about this thread!

They replaced both fuel level sensors under warranty. No problems since.

Glad to hear that.

I regularly run close to the 1/8th mark, or lower, hope not to come across this one.

 

[Big Daddy]

I try and keep her above the 1/2 line and never store my baby unless she is full! Gald your fixed Kirby, always willing to listen to good news.